According to Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt, Ellen Franz made her first appearance in the Hoftheater of Meiningen in 1867. Marriage Development of Meiningen Theatre The Duke and she, together with the Director Ludwig Chronegk, established the "Meiningen Principles" (Meininger Prinzipien), a profound reform in theatrical practice, and created what would become the world-famous Meiningen Ensemble (Meininger Hoftheater). Helene also implemented major changes in the dramaturgy, as well as being responsible for commitment and cast decisions and the education of young students.
Her husband Georg II together with Chronegk undertook the direction, and decided on the appropriate scenery and costumes.
From 1918 she lived in the palace "Helenenstift", her widow"s residence built in 1891/92. She died in the year 1923, aged eighty-three, in Meiningen.
She was buried near the Duke Georg II in a common grave arrangement in the Meininger Park Churchyard (Meininger Parkfriedhof).