Melissa Penley

Artist/Educator

Melissa is a theatre artist, director and educator originally from North Carolina. She completed her MA in Theatre Education at Emerson College in Boston, where she concentrated on directing, movement for actors, and theatre for social change. Melissa also holds a B.A. in Psychology, Art and Spanish from Guilford College. In Guadalajara, Mexico, Melissa lived and studied Spanish, community organizing, and history

Melissa is a co-founder and member of the Scapegoat Theatre Collective in Asheville, North Carolina. Scapegoat produces relevant, provocative theatre to reach new and diverse audiences. In addition to producing, acting, and directing, Melissa led the outreach program at Scapegoat, teaching improvisation with adults, and drama and movement with youth through area organizations such as the NC Autism Society and Go-To-Goal Empowerment Program for Girls.

Melissa has been especially focused on her work with survivors of sexual violence and theatre as a mode of community education and healing. In the Spring of 2009, Melissa directed ‘Rescuing Persephone: Surviving and Transforming Sexual Violence’ at the Dance Complex in Cambridge, as a benefit for the Cambridge Women’s Center.

Melissa’s roots in teaching with young people are in ecology, gardening, and Natural Learning, which stem from her history in farming and natural living. She is especially drawn to the circus arts, and Melissa has been discovered stilt walking and clowning at festivals and street performances.

Melissa began teaching and performing with Enchanted Circle Theater in residence programs in the summer of 2009.

Enchanted Circle Theater Staff

Priscilla Kane Hellweg
Executive/Artistic Director
» read Priscilla's bio

Rachel Kuhn
Director of Development and Communications
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Celine Hamilton Quill
Director of Operations
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Greg Alexander
Artist/Educator
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Aaron (Brando) Brandes
Artist/Educator
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Barbara Cortez-Greig
Artist/Educator
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Kate Dean
Artist/Educator
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James Emery
Artist/Educator
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Jeannine Haas
Artist/Educator
» read Jeannine's bio

Melissa Penley
Artist/Educator
« Melissa's bio

Tracy Vernon
Artist/Educator
» read Tracy's bio