Artist Roster

MELISSA BERMAN brings over 25 years experience as an innovative, critically-acclaimed award-winning teaching artist and performer in theatre, dance and music.  Ms. Berman holds a BFA (honors) in Dramatic Art and Speech and Graduate Work in Educational Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Melissa's diverse background focuses on students ages 2-1/2 to Adult including a strong emphasis with the at-risk, underserved and special needs populations.  Melissa Berman has been a teaching artist with the Los Angeles Arts Group serving the at-risk community for the Mountain View School District in El Monte, California.  Ms. Berman worked as a teaching artist with City Hearts:  Kids Say Yes to the Arts, a non-profit organization serving the at-risk communities throughout Los Angeles and extended regions; and she was a teaching artist with the celebrated Childrens' Arts Institute at the Children's Community School and the Westland School in Los Angeles.  Melissa Berman worked with Bethune Theatredanse/Infinite Dreams serving the at-risk special needs communities in Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena; as well as Los Angeles High School, Wilshire Private School; and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.  Ms. Berman was with the Hollywood Arts Council's Project SOAR for at-risk Hollywood LAUSD youth including workshops and performances.  Melissa Berman's Project SOAR students were featured at various Charlie Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and Melissa was the Performing Emcee for the Hollywood Arts Council's annual Childrens' Festival of the Arts at Paramount Studios.  Melissa Berman has been featured with her students and in workshops for the Very Special Arts Festival in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California,  and she was the Performing Arts Specialist In-Residence for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.  Melissa Berman is proudly currently working with the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE) including Delaware Wolftrap as well as the Creative Aging Program through the Delaware Divsion of the Arts.  As a headlining  performer and accomplished musician and arranger, Ms. Berman has been seen at various noted venues including The Center Theatre and The Roxbury in Los Angeles; Don't Tell Mama and Katie O'Toole's in New York City; and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The National Theatre, Wolftrap and Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.  Melissa  has an extensive background in film, television, commercials and radio which includes national performing credits.  Ms. Berman  has worked with such distinguished directors as James L. Brooks and Barry Levinson, and she has been featured with NPR and the BBC.  Melissa Berman is a member of SAG-AFTRA.

CREATIVE AGING WORKSHOP:

"Big Kids on Stage ~ A Theatre Arts Workshop for 55 Years and Up!"    This process-oriented program offers original pieces developed in class supported by improvisation, character development and scene work.  The writing is based on the theme of the workshop (previous ones include "A Cuppa Kindness..." and "Your Legacy") and offers self-exploration in a supportive environment shared with others.  Whenever possible, the theme will be tied into something that the library is focusing on at the time such as "kindness" and "community".  Basic theatre skills are introduced including  stage directions, voice projection and movement.  A final piece is shared in performance at the last class.  Live music with piano accompaniment enhances the work.  No previous experience is necessary.  Specs:  Class is 1.5 hours plus .5 hour for set-up and break down:  16 hours of teaching and 16 hours for curriculum development, meetings and class prep.  Total:  $1920.00.   Materials Needed:  Notebooks and Pens.  Mileage Reimbursement required for longer distances traveled:  TBD.