"How does one even begin to attempt to introduce the likes of Melody Bates?..."
Read IVAN TALIJANCIC x MELODY BATES in The Brooklyn Rail 
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Click on the image for ENCHANTED ISLANDS tickets, info, and full schedule. Poster image: Melody Bates as "Cap-o-Rushes," photo by Dan Rajter

ENCHANTED ISLANDS BRINGS FAERIE MAGIC TO COASTAL MAINE

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ENCHANTED ISLANDS is a living art story project, created by Melody in collaboration with Maine sculptor Peter Beerits and costume artist Jennifer Paar. After delighting audiences at 5th Wall Studio in NYC and at the Hudson Valley Beltane Festival, ENCHANTED ISLANDS returns to Deer Isle, Maine in August 2024.

Think of it as Faerie Queen Story Hour: wandering through the art-filled woods of Nellieville, you happen upon the Faerie Queen, book open on her lap, ready to tell you a story. The 2024 residency runs August 1st-7th, and features the three original tales, plus an all-new fourth story, complete with new couture costume. Melody will also be leading a "Finding Your Voice" storytelling workshop - click the button above to learn more. And Follow ENCHANTED ISLANDS here for updates and more information.

Photo: "Empress" by Nicole Noel Photography

R & J & Z  NOW  AVAILABLE  FROM ORIGINAL WORKS PUBLISHING

PictureR & J & Z at the University of Memphis . .. . poster design by Jen Gillette
​R & J & Z RISES AGAIN! 
​Called "boisterous and splendid" by the New York Times, Melody's critically-acclaimed, audience-favorite play is now a published and available in a gorgeous print edition from Original Works Publishing. Recent productions include a fabulous run at the University of Memphis in Fall 2021

What if Romeo and Juliet got a second chance? R & J & Z begins with Act V of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and keeps going, as the famous lovers navigate a world in which death isn't necessarily the end. Set against the historical backdrop of Verona's plague, Melody Bates’ new verse play throws old and new characters together over the course of an apocalyptic and action-packed 24 hours. Equally inspired by Shakespeare and modern zombie films, R & J & Z pushes the boundaries of theatrical humor and horror.
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R & J & Z IN THE PRESS
​“Honestly, I couldn't keep up a body count. Boisterous and splendid…makes good on that whole immortal love story thing." 
— The New York Times
 
“From the last line of Shakespeare’s text (which is interrupted by a zombie attack) the humor and humanity shine through. The story of two lovers who were too good for this world changes into a call to bring love into this world.” —NY Theatre Now
 
“R & J & Z exceeds all expectations! Shakespeare is not spinning in his grave, but perhaps he will rise from it just to see this delightful, theatrical gorefest.” 
—New York Theatre Review

Before Now, a few wonderful things happened:

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AVALON TAKES FLIGHT
Praise for the world premiere of AVALON: 
"From out the tangle of centuries,  Melody Bates has forged not just a coherent and compelling and radically feminist reading of the many Grail legends, but  in her lyrical and triumphantly poetic text, she has also rendered Magic normal, obvious, irreproachable and elemental to any quest for truth. Dark, sexy, hair-raising, fast, light, and unflinching in her performance - the direction transcends. ​I was gobsmacked."
--Jay Scheib, director of Broadway's "Bat out of Hell"
AGRIPPINA TRIUMPHANT
Melody danced a harpsichord-fueled "louche pas de deux" in Sir David McVicar's brilliant staging of Handel's opera. NY Times: "This “Agrippina” — yanked from ancient Rome into a deliciously bleak vision of our time, played with electric vividness...Bold, snicker-out-loud funny, magnetic and unsettling ...begs to be enjoyed with a bag of popcorn." Melody also plays a chic CNN reporter, Versace-clad gold digger, nerdy seamstress, and Agrippina's proper Roman maid. Catch it Live in HD on PBS Great Performances

Not too long ago...

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AVALON WORLD PREMIERE -- Melody's radical new telling of the Arthurian legends had its world premiere in Maine sculptor Peter Beerits' 
multi-acre woodland art installation, winning the Maine State Tourism Board's Innovation and Creativity Award. Follow Melody on Patreon for updates on what's next for this extraordinary new work.
​​SEEKING AVALON--read Melody's blog about the pilgrimage she and her mom made to historic and sacred sites in the UK. Spoiler alert: Wales has ghosts.
ASK FOR JANE now playing in theatres-- after sweeping awards on the festival circuit, this timely film is now playing at select cinemas across the country. Melody plays a featured role alongside Cait Cortelyou, Alison Wright, and Chloe Levine.