Melissa Barnick is excited, as ever, to teach youth about the power that can be found as an artist in the theatre. An accomplished actress she comes to us with an MFA, a terminal degree in theatre, from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a BFA from The University of Texas at Arlington and she has been seen on stage both professionally and academically.    A few of her favorite roles include Gladys in A Lesson from Aloes, Hyacinth in Scapin, Leonardo’s Wife/ Moon in Blood Wedding and Jackie in Hayfever. As a director she has won awards for her work on The Universal Language, Metamorphosis and The Most Massive Woman Wins. Her training includes hand to hand combat, bull whip and quarterstaff, for which she earned a certification from the ACFD.  Melissa has had the opportunity to take two classes from the Tony Award Winner Betty Buckley as well as serve as her personal assistant for a time.  Though most of her work has been in front of the curtain she has also given workshops in facial hair design and construction, and Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints.   She loves to teach and has been an instructor at every level from outreach classes to high school, where her students won high awards, and college.  Melissa spent a time instructing at Creative Arts Theatre and School (CATS ) in Arlington , Texas   She is happily married to local chiropractor Dr. Roger Barnick.

 

Melissa says: "Last fall our students learned some basics of acting.  This spring we are taking it a step farther by teaching our students a very specific process for acting.  Once they learn this process they will feel more confident and successful in any acting/presentations that they may be involved with in the future.  We feel that scene study is a valuable way for students to incorporate new skills, practice old skills and make new discoveries on their own.  We will also be learning some basics of performing successful monologues with confidence.  This will be a fun but challenging class and students will be proud of their accomplishments when they are able to present what they have been working on."