Elvis Mortley

Elvis Mortley is a local actor, who has been performing since the age 19. In the ensuing 40 years, he has performed in Trinidad, St. Lucia and New York before relocating to Fort Myers. Although he did not garner a role on Broadway or 47th Street, he did land a part as an extra on an episode of Law & Order. But, in truth, he was more focused on music because he was not part of the actors’ guild.

“I did not know anything about that and I had no one to guide me, so I turned to my music instead.” In that genre, Elvis became known to fans in the Calypso world as the musician “Oba.”

After arriving in Southwest Florida in 2005, Elvis resumed his acting career, and his local stage credits now include piano man Toledo in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sir Jasper Fidget in The Country Wife and Doyle in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of Jennifer Haley’s The Nether. Other acting credits include The Waiting Room, Christmas in the Neighborhood and Toys in the Attic.

“When I got the call to join the cast of Toys in the Attic, I knew I was home because I’d found people who are really taking [community theater] seriously. I’m really happy to be part of the group.”

Elvis was also cast in the locally-lensed independent film Fallaway, which was written, directed and produced by Bonita-based filmmaker Curtis Collins.

Mortley next appears in the role of the son in “Last Mama on Couch” in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum.

December 11, 2021.