E L I  O W E N S

(he/him/his) is a New York based actor, singer, writer and graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's BFA musical theatre program.  

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Prior to his studies at CCM, Eli trained in classical voice and theory at the Eastman School of Music, graduating from their diploma program while also attending public school in Penfield, NY (where he grew up). He spent his summers studying classical and contemporary acting at the Geva Theatre Summer Academy under the direction of Skip Greer. Junior year of high-school, Eli began his dance training, studying tap, ballet, and musical theatre styles with Linda Goebel. His summer after graduating high-school, Eli competed in, and placed 2nd overall, in the National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center after coming in first in both the local and regional branch competitions.

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In addition to his studies in musical theatre, Eli spent most of his senior year at CCM honing passions in screenwriting and acting for film. Spring of 2022, he debuted his first feature film BOOKED in which he both wrote and starred in. The film, produced by Blue Topaz Productions (Ain't Done Bad, Hadestown, Tuck Everlasting), premiered at The Esquire Theatre on April 15th, 2022. It is now an official selection of nine festivals and has taken home awards for Best Feature, Best Score, Excellence in Film, Best of Fest, Best Student Feature, Audience Choice for Best Comedy Feature, and the Poppy Jasper Juror's Top Ten Award. In 2024, he garnered nominations for Best Actor at the Sky Arts Film Fest and Seattle Film Fest (where he was nominated alongside Steve Buscemi, Dennis Haysbert, Jon Bass, and others) and won Best Actor Duo for his work alongside co-star Chesney Mitchell. He hopes to further his career in TV/film, both in writing and acting. 

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Eli is profoundly inspired by queer stories and is dedicated to telling them. He takes immense pride in his identity and is committed to uplifting the voices of queer and marginalized communities through art, while honoring the strength and resilience of queer/marginalized artists who came prior to him, paving the way for Eli to be the open, proud, and authentic actor he is today.

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When he's not doing anything else, you can find him spending time with his bunny, Moose, or inviting friends over for a wine and charcuterie night. He can make a mean cheese board. A solid goat cheese is his absolute favorite, but he's more than content with a block of extra sharp white cheddar. It's what he grew up on. Eli's less flexible when it comes to the cracker though. It's Wheat-Thins or bust for him. He can't comprehend why someone would ever choose a Triscuit. 

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Currently, he studies acting in New York with Joan Rosenfels.