Ellyn Long Marshall Bio
Ellyn Long Marshall was born and raised in Harlem, NY, to parents, Gretchen Cotton Long and Legendary Performer, Avon Long. Raised during the Harlem Renaissance (with older sisters, Janice and Gretchen), Ellyn made her Acting debut as a Cherub, at the age of 5, in the Broadway Production of “The Green Pastures” with her father, Avon; at 9, acted with Evelyn Ellis, Frederick O’Neal & Rosetta LeNoire in “Salvation On A String,” at Off B’way’s Theater De Lys; and performed on CBS Television’s “Lamp Unto My Feet”. Dance Training as a young child, included Tap with Henry LeTang and Ballet with Boston’s Elma Lewis. As a teen, dance studies continued at the Martha Graham School, Luigi’s Jazz Center & Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theater of Harlem.
Ellyn graduated with highest honors from Immaculata H.S. on NYC’s lower East Side (where she met actor, Larry Marshall, with whom she was married for 25 years; and with whom she has two children, Stephanie Marshall Middleton and Avon Marshall; and grandson, Kofi Makai Middleton). Ellyn received a BA cum laude in Theater at Marywood University; followed by Graduate studies in Theater at Catholic University, and at CCNY.
Ellyn has taught Dance & Drama in Arts Programs within the NYC school system and Community-based groups. Professionally, she has acted and directed in several off-Broadway productions, and was Assistant to the Director of “Mourning Pictures” on Broadway. For seven years, Ellyn performed with and served as Artistic Director for “Nucleus”, an inspirational Theater touring company, headed by Yolanda King & Attallah Shabazz (daughters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Malcolm X respectively).
Ellyn is currently in the process of compiling her colorful life experiences in her first book offering.