Meet Tracey Ellert of Ballyhoo in Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Ellert.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was a nanny starting at 14. Always around children. By 19 I was in acting school and still a nanny. As a nanny I would attend lot of children’s birthday parties and I always ended up entertaining the whole group of kids. Parents would say “you are so good with them you should be a teacher” but I wanted to perform for a living, make people laugh. I began volunteering at Lurie Children’s hospital in 1999 as a game show host on a closed-circuit hospital TV channel. This is when I realized I had a gift and a passion for making children laugh. I attended a children’s birthday party where there was a woman playing with the kids, scooter races, parachute etc. I later learned the mom had hired her. What?!! People hire entertainment for children’s birthday parties?!! As a kid I usually only was able to have one friend over and my favorite dinner for my birthday! Epiphany. I knew how I could perform for living! At this time, I met another children’s storyteller, the only one I know that is like my style. She mentored me and gave me the shows she couldn’t do. I began to write and create original story shows for children in Spanish and English. For the past fifteen years I have performed all over Chicago, New York and even in Cancun! After I created my own children I of course wanted more time with them, so I began to put my creations to film. I have now created two original children’s TV shows based on some of my stories and one is an adaptation of my live story show.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a smooth road for the past 15 years. I relocated my business to LA about a year ago, so it may take a little time to grow here, but I know it will. Thankfully I didn’t need to market it myself since that is not one of my skill sets. Most of my business came through word of mouth. I started way before social media, really the internet was just kicking off when I started! I have been able to perform for a living and focus on my content! Working for yourself can be scary at times but I believe if what your product is good and true then it will shine through and work out.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ballyhoo – what should we know?
Well, I am a one of a kind original preschool (ages 0-7) children’s storyteller. I create live shows that entertain the entire family. My background is in improv, so I embrace the beautiful spontaneity of children’s participation. I like to call is a one woman show for children and families. My style is playful, silly and interactive. I bring all my stories to life with props, toys, costumes and even diapers (They can be fun trust me)! I am also currently working on creating children’s media. I have a YouTube channel for kids called, Sillyhoo: Big Little Laughs with Tracey Ellert. I am most proud of my true connection with children. I am more thankful that I was able to find and use the gift I was given, making people of all sizes laugh. I’m proud of my ability to bond with children immediately, so much that they hug me right after my show (without me asking). I know there are no others like me because, well, there is only one of me!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have a good friend who is a storyteller as well, Dot Kane. At the start she connected me to a group of in home daycares which trusted me to come weekly and perform for the children. This is where I began to create my material and figure out what kind of process was necessary to produce content. I also have a business partner, Mary Burzynski, who is an amazing artist. She has helped shape who I am as a brand and has encouraged me to think of myself as something bigger. She has inspired me and complimented my style so beautifully. We are currently working on the Sillyhoo Big Little Laughs with Tracey Ellert.  It’s all hand made media for young viewers.

Pricing:

• 45 min. Story Shows -$275-$625

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bballyhoo.com
• Phone: 773-841-2944
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @storytimetracey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BallyhooStories/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ballyhoo-chicago-2
• Other: https://youtu.be/wWH1dXRLSeQ

Image Credit:
Ingrid Bonne Photography
Zoe McKenzie Photography

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