in the news
"Choreographer Elysia Merrill also does a fine job showcasing the talented ensemble whether they’re moving around as wolves in the woods or having a blast in the “Be Our Guest” scene."
-MD Theatre Guide
"So much energy and talent on stage bringing songs from the musicals both old and new..."
-MD Theatre Guide
"All numbers were choreographed elaborately... intricately organized group dances (My Shot, HAMILTON), the cast as a whole executed it all masterfully... thanks to Broadway-worthy choreography. ...The creative team also took center stage with their choices... It's hard to express just how lovely this show was without gushing. The standing ovation the cast and crew received was fully earned. They deserve all of the praise given for this marvelous evening celebrating music and dance. "
-Broadway World
"David Merrill (Director & Music Director) and Elysia Merrill (Assistant Director & Choreographer) invite you to witness... this intimate retelling of the joyful impact of Jesus’s teachings on his followers..."
-MD Theatre Guide
"With the goal of bringing a sense of community to the church, husband-and-wife duo David and Elysia Merrill decided to arrange the church’s first musical..."
-Severna Park Voice
"Elysia Merrill has done an excellent job as choreographer, getting such a large, diverse cast to dance together in a fluid and natural way, and highlight individual talents... This production features several different dance styles, from traditional musical to ballet and rock, and all come across flawlessly..."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"The company, Motion X Dance DC, says that its mission is to “share innovative and thought provoking dance works.” Mission accomplished..."
-DC Theatre Scene
"Concrete Devotion, from well-established company Motion X Dance DC, offers three contemporary dance premieres with emotional heft and visual dynamism. It manages to make you feel and think while avoiding that other common Fringe experience [cringe]..."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"Elysia Greene Merrill was fantastic as Susan Mahoney, a mute, who communicates by dancing. Merrill did double-duty as the choreographer and principal dancer..."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"Susan the silent (Merill) beautifully used dance as her means of communication throughout the production...
Overall,... the creative use of tobacco leaves in the choreography made for an enjoyable number [Necessity]...
In the duet between Susan the silent and Og, “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love,” the number is creative and well sung by Buckwalter and well danced by both he and Merrill...
The performances of... Elysia Greene Merill (Susan the silent) [and others] coupled with creative... choreography (Elysia Greene Merrill) made for an enjoyable theater experience."
-MD Theatre Guide
"After watching [Elysia Greene Merrill] dance, she made me feel like I could jump up on stage and join her--she was beautifully effortless."
"[Elysia Merrill] was my favorite part of the show! And I'm not even a dance-fan!"
-Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts audience members
The staff of DCMetroTheaterArts is pleased to honor the following designers for their work in 2015:
Elysia Greene Merrill for The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre.
"Altered Archives is ethereal magic, the wizardry of one person’s inspiration transformed into fine art by the ardor of special people meeting the challenge of being at their best... Brought to the stage by... MXDC and its conceptualizer dream team-of-three Stephanie L. Dorrycott, Lindsay Benson Garrett, and Elysia Greene, Altered Archives is a journey unlike any other..."
-Clifford Brody
"Incredible dancer Elysia Greene receives what appears to be a red paper flower and is suddenly rushed back into her powerful memories... Watching the strong and agile dancers is like a dream. They are so precise in every movement, from the bending of a finger to the movement of set pieces. The dancers glide across the stage with incredible grace and superb beauty.
...guest choreographer Elysia Greene designed movement that so perfectly showed the process of dealing with memories and one’s past."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"Nothing here seems like an afterthought; Altered Archives is simply a cohesive performance in which no one element is less essential than any other... See it if: You’d like to take in polished, innovative work in several art forms all at once..."
-Washington City Paper
"Altered Archives will mean different things to different people, but the undeniable skill and tact with which Brittany Alness, Sarah Christopherson, Elysia Greene, Kayli Hueston, Sarah Mawyer, Mary Potts and Laura Sniegowski perform their art is breathtaking and inspiring..."
-DC Theatre Scene
"28 DC Events to go to in July.... 15. Capital Fringe Festival [Altered Archives pictured]..."
-The Washingtonian
"Contemporary dance and haunting visuals combine to explore the malleability of memories. Original choreography by Stephanie Dorrycott, with guest choreography by Elysia Greene..."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"A dance piece exploring the unreliability of memories..."
-4 NBC Washington
"My Ruffled Fears - ARCOS Pecha Kucha"
“Striking character, surprising costume, compelling story and engaging piece,” “Absolutely stunning!” “Beautifully raw and musical [as well as a] beautiful actress—not overdone. Intriguing floor-work with skirt,” “The emotions shown… are very strong and palpable,” “The simple beginning was so striking. I loved the consummation of your virtuosity with your humanity,” “Touching and stimulating…”
-Adjudicating Pannel
"In a musical one often expects dancing and The Mystery of Edwin Drood does not disappoint. Carefully crafted choreography creeps its way into the show under the precise creation of Choreographer Elysia Greene Merrill. In a tribute to the old British acting troupes, with echoes of early Broadway and hints of Vaudeville in her routines, Merrill brings the razzle-dazzle of a stage musical to fruition on the boards of the ASGT’s intimate setting. From duet-style fancy footwork in “Both Sides of the Coin” to larger ensemble numbers like “Off to the Races”, which features a vast array of mime-play dancing, Merrill entices the eyes of the audience with her show-ready dancing..."
-Theatre Bloom
"...Elysia Greene Merrill’s spirited choreography had the audience cheering, and everyone loves a finely executed kickline!..."
-DC Metro Theater Arts
"...the choreography was perfect for this show and added a welcome dimension - it seemed easy and natural and [I] liked spicing it up with major athleticism and high kicks. Also loved the parody of A Chorus Line's One!..."
-The Baltimore Sun
"Live Arts Maryland delivers soaring music for 'Fiddler' performances..."
-The Baltimore Sun
An original contemporary dance show about love and loss, set against the majesty of the Emerald Isle. Directed by Lauren Carnesi and featuring Elysia Greene as a lead dancer and a choreographer. The show goes up June 27 & 28, 2014, 8PM (both nights) at Harford Community College.
"This work is not just your typical dance work: it is more akin to dance theatre which is a very European dance format..."
-Clarke Daily News
"For both her solo and group performances, [Elysia] Greene said she was inspired by Cirque du Soleil. Her solo, “Grounded,” includes her working on aerial silks before bringing her dance to the ground. Her group piece, “Illuminate,” depicts a Neverland tale of creatures and far-away lands..."
-Winchester Star
"Dancer and narrator, Elysia Greene, recites the peom throughout the show. The text alternates between English and Spanish..."
-Winchester Star
"Ethan Miller, 10, and his partner Alexa Chapman, 8, and Charles Yancey, 16, and his partner Elysia Greene, 15, tied for first..."
-VCU News Center