Bio of Debbie Ellinghaus

Debbie Ellinghaus (Executive Director) is in her eleventh season at Olney Theatre Center where she partners with Artistic Director Jason Loewith to lead initiatives that advance Olney Theatre’s artistic, educational and community-centered mission and expand its local, regional, and national impact. Prior to Olney, she held positions at the University of Maryland, College of Arts and Humanities; Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama; Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre; The Guggenheim Museum (New York); and the global sports and entertainment agency, International Management Group (IMG). Debbie briefly worked as an actress after training with the incomparable master teachers George Morrison, Mike Nichols, and Paul Sills in NYC. She is a founding board member, past chair and secretary, and current emeritus member of Merriweather Arts and Culture Center; vice-chair of the board for Medstar Montgomery Medical Center; and co-Treasurer for Kol Nefesh. She also serves as an ex-officio member of the board of directors for Olney Theatre. Debbie is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Montgomery and a 2022 graduate of Leadership Howard. In 2018, Debbie was recognized with the “Emerging Arts Leader Award” from then Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Debbie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a professional certificate from the New Actors Workshop. Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Columbia, MD, she resides in Laurel, MD, with her husband, Andrew, their two “nearly grown” children, and two large, adorable dogs. In addition to enjoying her family and all of their passions, Debbie spends her free time on the running and hiking trails, and dreaming of new places to explore.