SELF-PRODUCED PROJECTS
Melanie had been searching for a way to bring 100 Characters 100 Days to life with a live audience and she finally made it happen in June of 2024 at the Hollywood Fringe Festival when she premiered her one-woman improv show, Woman Without a Net. In the show she and her amazing sound designer collaborated with audiences to improv characters in real time. You can read reviews from the show below.
While most people think of comedic improv when they think of improv--that’s not what this show is. True improv is trusting the moment to be what it will. And sometimes the moment wants to make us laugh. But sometimes it wants to make us think, to touch our hearts, to make us remember what it is to be human and all the mess that comes with it. And every time—it is a romp, an adventure and who knows where you’ll end up?
Sound like something you'd like to see in your venue or at your next conference? Contact Melanie to discuss rates and availability.
Reviews
"Without a net, indeed… Melanie’s fearless attitude carries the audience from emotional zenith to nadir and back again, taking chances in exceptional long-form improv, with impeccable acting and technique that pulls both laughter and tears from the audience. Delightful to watch a master actor at work, doing the tightrope walk of intimacy and raw emotion with total commitment… (in a costume and prop closet with lighting and sound effects), truly at play, as improv is meant to be… Her choices were brilliant and dangerous and unexpected… Brava! Encore!"
Bayard Saunders
"This was an impressive demonstration of improvisational artistry. Melanie seeks the truth in every character. In her search, she helps us find relatable moments and feel a range of emotions. I not only enjoyed the show, I recommend you see it if you have not yet!"
Denmark West
“Melanie showed her creativity and bravery (heck yea, I could never do that!) and it was amazing watching her brain work in real time! Another great show. Melanie was a consumate pro, entertainer, and performer. I just wish we could have seen more! Having watched the social media feed, being able to participate in the “extended version” was awesome!”
Debbie Ferrari
“From the first moment Melanie walked out from the back door to center stage, she captivated all of us with her unique way of keeping a large crowd feeling personal as if we were the only one in the room in which she was talking to. Her character changes and commitment was unparalleled. She made us feel sad, happy, confused, sympathetic, energetic, angry and even a slight Taylor Swift fan after the night! Solid performance that I would love to see again soon!”
Joshua Cevallos-Laake
“Melanie is a wonderful and courageous performer! Such honesty in her work! At times, I felt moved to tears and at other moments laughed and was taken to a new world of delight. Knowing how many incredible characters she can do (on her instagram) and within the limitations of yet a blip of time, with every costume, 2 wardrobe racks filled with fun pieces of colorful clothing, wigs and props at her momentary disposal. She can really make a character come alive. I was fully engaged in the moment. It was a beautiful authentically artistic journey of discovery! Also loved the collaboration with the music and sound person, helping along with the scenes. Very spontaneously. It was fun all around. I definitely recommend if you haven’t seen the show? Go have the experience and enjoy!”
Tara Inden
“A show that keeps you engaged and wondering what will happen next. Melanie is great at improv and character work. You will be entertained and go on a fun and unknown journey… One you will thoroughly enjoy!”
Rahvaunia Johnson
“I identified with so much of the material. Pop-culture references, philosophical thoughts, and even a phrase that someone said to me once decades ago that I hadn’t heard again until seeing this performance. The sound effects technician helped bring even more emotion to the performance. There were so many costumes, wigs and props that I feel you can see this show more than once and feel like you’re seeing a whole new performance. Because of the improv nature of the show and the different skits, there’s truly something for everyone. Funny moments, relatable moments, as well as emotional moments. There’s going to be something there to resonate with every audience member.”
Keith Zelniker
Back in 2011, Melanie came up with a challenge she decided to call 100 Characters 100 Days, wherein she improv-ed a new character every day for 100 consecutive days. She filmed each character and posted them to YouTube. In order to avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism, she set-up certain rules for herself:
THE RULES
One continuous take;
Once record was hit--that was it--no stopping;
She was only allowed to use what she had on hand--no purchasing of additional props or costumes;
She was only allowed to prepare in the hour preceding filming--it was to be true dramatic improv; and
Provided she was at home, Melanie filmed in the same location every time.
You can meet all 100 characters from the 2011 challenge here.
Ten years later, in 2021, Melanie decided to challenge herself again, and another 100 characters were born--you can meet them all here. This time she posted them to her IG. Both times were challenging in different ways and ultimately led her to create her one-woman improv show, Woman Without a Net, which premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June of 2024. Improv is one of Melanie's great loves and solo improv has allowed her the opportunity to perform on her own terms.
Melanie has been writing lyrics since she was a kid, mostly folksy stuff, the kind you'll find many a singer/songwriter belting out at the Hotel Cafe. But she's also dabbled in pop-rap. Built Like a Botticelli was her first foray into the genre.
It all started with a 3oh 3 concert in December of 2009. Not really Melanie's type of music, but it was a chance to take her baby sister to her first concert, and she couldn’t refuse. To her surprise, she found herself enjoying the music and the incredible energy behind the performances.
A short while later, Melanie wrote the first lines of what was to become Built Like a Botticelli, “I’m a white Hispanic girl with booty to match.” She laughed and thought something to the effect of, “Yeah, right, like you’re going to write a rap song.” But the song refused to be ignored. What followed is a tongue-in-cheek look at online dating by a white Hispanic girl. . .
Click on the photo to see the video in all its fun!