Melissa Bell

What caused the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets? This prequel to Romeo and Juliet follows the journey of Rose from country girl to matriarch, navigating her repression and power in 16th Century Verona in a time when family, money, power and gender determine everything.
Using heightened language, LADY CAPULET asks large questions about women’s place in the culture through a Shakespearean lens and features a strong female lead.
Although not a musical, this show has incidental music available without royalty, written by Graham Russell of Air Supply.
Reviews:
"Melissa Bell reimagines the life of Juliet’s mother in the years before the events of Romeo & Juliet in this classical prequel." –Time Out NY --- "Tantalizing" -Roundtheworldstage.com
Published in Smith & Krause's "The Best Men's Stage Monologues 2020" and S&K's Thirty Scenes for Young Women, 15 - 30, 2024

FINDING MADAME CURIE is about the scientist everybody knows and the woman nobody knows—the scientist who discovers radium and wins two Nobel Prizes, and the woman who dares to pursue her dream in a man’s world. But life in Paris isn’t the dream she imagined as Marie confronts anti-immigrant bias and outright misogyny. Alone with two children after husband Pierre’s death, her carefully constructed world explodes in public outcry over her affair with a married French scientist. As World War I threatens France, Marie must use her discoveries to protect the world from destruction, save lives and heal her fractured family.

A dark comedy about depression, backyard "art," and one errant pooch. Zoe arrives home for a rare visit and finds her estranged mother Gloria, once a respected sculptor, creating new monuments from discarded objects in her backyard—much to the distress of the new neighbor. Buried deep in this menagerie lies a trauma that must be recognized if Zoe and Gloria are ever to heal.

A 4 hander, mother-daughter story, with an EZ set created from recyclables, junk from the theatre basement, and "found art" from local artists in the community.

Zoe Comes Home is about letting go of all the "stuff" we hold on to: negative thoughts, destructive actions, and celebrates the courage to create against the haunting demons of doubt that can only thrive through the healing power of love.

Artan’s girlfriend Justine has refused to play his new video game and walked out, leaving him to his own devices, literally. What is this new game, and what does it say about the way women are perceived in society?

Patti wants to follow a holistic ritual for her birth placenta, but finds it challenging in the middle of the city; and so, keeps it in her freezer for four years.

(previously entitled "Playground Placenta")

After being written off as a “one hit wonder,” MINI’s pop icon status is reignited with the remix of her past hit by a younger rap artist, HAKIM XL, which becomes this week’s hottest download. MINI is within reach of a long-desired comeback. Careers burn hot and fast in a business that perpetuates abusive behavior of which MINI is both victim and participant. REMIX deep-dives into the realm of celebrity, the obsessive need to be worshiped and the road to recovery.

Did you know Emily Bronte framed her novel as a ghost story? In this socially distanced, site-specific immersive adaptation, the spirits of seven characters, including the iconic Heathcliff and Catherine, return to earth, one room at a time, to tell their stories. Audience pods of 10-12 members move between rooms in random order until all characters are heard, bringing together the passionate story of love, betrayal, and revenge of WUTHERING HEIGHTS.

Music and Lyrics by Graham Russell (AIR SUPPLY) and Katie McGhie, Book by Melissa Bell. Jim Hawkins’ dream of going to sea becomes reality after he discovers a treasure map. But where he thought he would find adventure, he is confronted by greed, betrayal and mutiny. To save himself and the crew, Jim must make choices that challenge his values of loyalty, trust and integrity. This adaptation includes devised roles for women, including Benita Gunn, a young female protagonist, who helps Jim discover the true meaning of Treasure.

A young girl rescues an angel from a Christmas tree while she and her sister try to cope with their sense of abandonment by their mother; when Hope enters their lives. Some families are born. Others are found.

After 12 years, one-hit-wonder MINI has a chance for a big comeback. Her long time ex-producer wants a piece of the action and maybe a piece of MINI.

After 12 years, one-hit-wonder MINI has a chance for a comeback. Her long time ex-producer wants a piece of the action and, possibly, a piece of MINI too. She knows what it takes. Does she still have it?

Escaping a brutal childhood and the monotony of factory work in Russia, Emma Goldman arrives in New York City, ripe for the Anarchist philosophy. A fiery speaker, proponent of woman’s reproductive rights and practitioner of Free Love, she becomes caught up in a passionate affair with Ben Reitman. Through their combined efforts, she becomes the most notorious woman in America. But Emma is tortured by Ben’s inconsistencies and sexual betrayals. Can Emma reconcile her idealistic beliefs with her all too human emotional needs?

Matt and Zoe are having drinks in a bar, recapping the meeting of the day. But something is bothering Matt. Is it his drink? Is the way the bartender ignores him? Or does he feel threatened in some odd way? What does a drink say about the person who's drinking it, if anything?

A type-A Assistant Principal named Betsy, a diabetic librarian, a mother in denial, and a crusading teacher discuss Women’s History Month, slavery, teenage pregnancy, control, bias, and everyone is trying to forward their agenda; all happening at the local PTA meeting. Cookie anyone? (Formerly titled THE PTA MEETING)

NEW TITLE: THE AGENDA A type-A Assistant Principal named Betsy, a diabetic librarian, a mother in denial, and a crusading teacher discuss Women’s History Month, slavery, teenage pregnancy, control, bias, and everyone is trying to forward their agenda; all happening at the local PTA meeting. Cookie anyone? (Formerly titled THE PTA MEETING)

THE GENERAL is on a mission to deport the enemies of the people of the United States of America. The SERGEANT is a true believer. SOLDIERS are refusing to "do their duty." ARNIE just wants a job. This short plays examines the way xenophobia becomes policy.