Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Conway.
Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Howdy! My name is Elizabeth Conway and I am an actress, comedian, and filmmaker. Seven years ago, I moved from New York to LA to pursue acting, and since then, life’s been nothing but a rollercoaster adventure and an absolute ball.
I guess my story begins somewhere among a classic second grade production of The Wizard of Oz, a fourth grade talent show solo tap number to “Vogue” by Madonna, and many eventful car rides where my parents let us watch “The Best of Will Ferrell” SNL DVD growing up. I was always smitten by the big screen, and was bitten by the performance bug at the ripe old age of seven. Many years of scream singing musical theater songs in the hallways, improv classes, and productions of The Crucible later, I decided it was time to pack up and ~~make my way downtown~~I mean, out west- to HHHHHHHollywood!
I moved to Los Angeles with no apartment, job, or car just a plan to study improv and sketch comedy at The Groundlings. I’d always wanted to try living in Hollywood since watching Entourage (many years too late) but I love New York more than anything else in the world, and my family is all on the East Coast. I figured I’d stay in LA one year then head back to the Big Apple. (SNL or bust!) It’s now been 7 spectacular, unforgettable years in LA, and life’s taken me on many wild twists and turns throughout my time here. (I found a beautiful apartment, I work many jobs, and I finally got a car after 7 years. How lucky am I!) Seven year old me would be very happy to learn that I am an actress, a sketch comedian, filmmaker, writer, aspiring pop star, and working a lot of jobs to make it all possible. It’s a pleasure now to call both New York AND LA home, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to do so.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
On deciding to pursue an acting career… [Chris Martin voice] ~~~Nobody said it was easyyyy~~~
I’m fairly confident that just about any other career path is infinitely more stable, lucrative, dependable, and practical. You could do almost anything else in the world and have a steady paycheck, comfortable lifestyle, stable household, work/life balance etc. etc., and probably be pretty happy and content. Acting- and succeeding at acting- is always going to be challenging; that’s no secret. “Making it” – whatever that means to each person – is close to impossible, and you sign up for all of the ups and downs, high highs, low lows etc. when you decide to make a go of it.
However….acting is SO MUCH FUN. I truly wake up every morning thrilled to bounce out of bed and see what happens. Every day-any day-! could be the day your life changes, whether it be an audition, an email, a chance meeting, a call- it is so, so exciting to just know the potential and the possibility of your big break is constantly ~just around the corner~ even if “just around the corner” is 5-10 years from now. I’ve always said the only time I’d ever stop acting is when it stops being fun, and I just can’t imagine how it would ever not be fun. Being on set, wearing a costume, cracking up in between takes, meeting talented people, coming up with big ideas, having someone believe in you, take a chance on you, cast you-it is all so special.
Yes it’s difficult, yes it’s unreliable, yes it’s the most financially impractical undertaking in the world- all of that is true. It’s only possible to do it if you’re your own biggest cheerleader, believe that you’re going to make it happen for yourself, and be so excited about it.
There are tough weeks, months, and years, and you get through them by believing in yourself, and also by having a strong foundation of people cheering you on. I’m unbelievably lucky to have the family, friends, and reps that I do, and I could not do any of it without them. Thank you all.
People say overnight success takes 10 years, and I’m prepared to do it if it takes 80 years. You work so hard, sacrifice a lot, invest years and a lot of money- any modicum of success or progress feels so darn good.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I act in films and plays, I perform sketch comedy with my group, Public Breakup, I have an award-winning production company, Less Precious Productions, with my producing partner Frankie MacLaughlin, and I perform comedy on my instagram, @misselizabethcontent .
Acting
I audition multiple times a week, and have an incredible self-tape buddy/partner in crime- my mom, Peggy! My mother wholeheartedly reads with me for every single audition over FaceTime, and is always ready and willing to drop everything to help me put together a tape. She’s a fantastic actor, director, and always gives 2000% to an audition tape.
My family is incredible and supports me in everything I do- my mom and dad, three brothers, sister-in-law, and two nephews. I would be nowhere without them. They are my coaches, my inspiration, my best friends, and biggest champions.
I’ve played some very fun parts this year. Most recently, I’m playing a Texan wrestling chairlady in “The Jobber,” directed by Franco Vidal (watch him- he is such a talent,) and then also the role of “the Swollen Woman stung by bees” in a webseries. Stay tuned:)
Sketch Comedy
I also regularly perform sketch comedy with my group, Public Breakup. We’ve been performing together since 2019, and what really blows my mind is that we’ve been able to regularly meet once a week for over 5 years now. Several of us met in a Groundlings class in 2018, and we formally established ourselves in the spring of 2019. We perform “The Public Breakup Show” regularly at The Broadwater Theatre (one of my favorite spots in LA!) and host the monthly sketch Cagematch at UCB. (Send me a message if you’d ever like to perform in it- we’re always looking for teams.) We’ve also had the opportunity the past year to perform at several festivals, including iO Fest in Chicago and Burbank Comedy Festival, where we were named the Best of Fest 2024. We’re performing in the San Francisco Sketch Festival in February 2025. They’re some of the funniest people I know, and indulge me in writing long, frequently musical, very silly sketches. You can follow us at @publicbreakup
Less Precious Productions
I was lucky enough to meet my producing partner, Frankie MacLaughlin in the bathroom at an audition for her 2018 Fringe Festival play, Sugar. I shyly sang a Lady Gaga song for the audition, and was delighted to find out a week later that I’d booked the part. I had the best time working with her and collaborating with her that summer, and once the show ended, I asked her if she wanted to maybe do another project together sometime. Six years later, we’ve created two plays, “#CANCELLED” (Encore Award, Hollywood Fringe) and “Why the Band Broke Up,” both about over the top pop stars. We’ve also written a feature film, and made two films together, “Clean Up Crew” (People’s Choice Award Finalist, KINO Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival, NoHo Cinefest,) and “Princess Party P.I.” “Princess Party P.I.” is set to premiere at the Culver City Film Festival this December, and also will play at the Sacramento Film Festival. My collaborations with Frankie over the years has allowed me to be my most out there, over the top, and creative self.
MissElizabethContent
Finally, I do characters and celebrity impressions – you can check them out @misselizabethcontent!
Any big plans?
My goal in life is to be known for being good at what I do- whether it’s for an iconic role, role/s, a series, a movie, SNL, etc- whether it happens next week or 50 years from now, it would be a privilege to be known for being good at what I do. I’m so excited for everything the future has in store.
I’d also love to moonlight as a pop star- I write an original pop song for all of my projects, and am releasing a single “What You See,” from our film “Princess Party P.I.” this winter. I’ve found a wonderful collaboration with composer and filmmaker Chris Edgar, with whom I worked on the soundtrack for Princess Party (Chris wrote three original songs that we perform in the film!) and he also engaged me to perform the theme song for the show “Last Week Was a Drag.” Chris is a spectacular creative and collaborator- watch out for him too.
If I’m really reaching for the stars, being the next Weird Al/Lonely Island is my biggest dream. I love performing parody songs and music videos, and Al/Island, if you’re reading this, give me a call. (You can also check out my parody work @misselizabethcontent.)
I want to give huge thank yous to my family, my friends, loved ones, and my agents- Florance Kirilova, Susie Krueger, Terrece Lynn, and Ernest Dancy. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.misselizabethconway.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/misselizabethcontent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/elizabethconwayshow?app=desktop
- Other: www.lessprecious.com
Image Credits
Photo credits: Nick Rasdal Anysia Deák Kristen Wheeler Gabby Vargas Franco Vidal Bianca Lopez Matt Stasi Mike Cicchetti My mom or dad <3
