From Converse to the Royal Scottish Academy of Drama: Melanie Ann Wiliford ’98

After graduating from Converse College with a BA in Theatre, Melanie Ann Wiliford moved to New York City to continue her training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy completing AMDA’s integrated course in Musical Theatre. During her eight and a half year residency in NYC, Melanie studied improvisation at The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) and acting/scene study at HB Studio. Prior to moving to Scotland, Melanie completed a Stanislavsky based summer training intensive with the Moscow Art Theatre School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In Glasgow, Scotland, Melanie graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama obtaining a MA degree with Merit in Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting). As part of the RSAMD course, she completed a Shakespeare based training intensive at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

Melanie’s UK performance credits include Oswald in King Lear and Calpurnia, Cinna the Poet and Titinius in Julius Caesar; both shows performed at the Shakespeare in the City Festival in Glasgow. Other credits include Mother in the platform production of David Harrower’s new work: Ashes Blood; performed in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. Melanie also wrote and co-starred in Dead in Scotland which premiered at the On the Verge Festival at The Arches in Glasgow.

Melanie has performed with Centre Stage in Greenville, South Carolina in productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Whose Wives Are They Anyway and Miracle on 34th Street. She recently directed the Fringe Series hit Irena’s Vow and the Main Stage success Hands on a Hardbody. Melanie is currently serving as Production Manager for Centre Stage and as the Centre Stage New Play Festival Director.