Melody Bates Reel from Melody Bates on Vimeo.
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Occupy Elm Street from No Name Brand Films on Vimeo. |
OCCUPY ELM STREET
Enjoy this short that Melody made with the folks at No Name Brand Films. Horror villains and victims come together to call for a return to classic horror values. Final Girls Have Rights Too! |
PAST PERFORMANCES
ALAS, THE NYMPHS in 2015 BAM NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL
The NY Times called Alas, The Nymphs "glamorous" and "filled with striking imagery" and "psychic clamor." This heightened retelling of the Greek myth of Hylas and the water nymphs from theatrical auteur John Jahnke and New York-based company Hotel Savant enjoyed a sold-out run as part of the 2015 Next Wave Festival. Melody played the dangerous party girl nymph Nomia in this lurid meditation on eros and power in the December run at the BAM Fisher.
The NY Times called Alas, The Nymphs "glamorous" and "filled with striking imagery" and "psychic clamor." This heightened retelling of the Greek myth of Hylas and the water nymphs from theatrical auteur John Jahnke and New York-based company Hotel Savant enjoyed a sold-out run as part of the 2015 Next Wave Festival. Melody played the dangerous party girl nymph Nomia in this lurid meditation on eros and power in the December run at the BAM Fisher.
R & J & Z at the NEW OHIO THEATRE
Melody returned as Juliet in Hard Sparks' gorgeous and gory revival of her play R & J & Z. Once again directed by Joan Jubett and featuring original cast members joined by a horde of talented newcomers, the sold out production was nominated for three NY Innovative Theater Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Play. Critics loved the show and audiences couldn't get enough of it. As one audience member put it:
You are a damn fool if you live in New York City or thereabouts and you let this play slip past you. It hits the mark and then some on every single level. It's equal parts spooky, insightful, and laugh out loud until you can't breath hilarious...the entire cast to a person deliver lines fearlessly and with 100% dedication. Look, bottom line is I'm a jaded opinionated jerk where art is concerned who rarely pours out accolades on something unless it is deserving, and this performance flat out knocked me on my ass. I'm pretty sure it will do the same to you!!!
Melody returned as Juliet in Hard Sparks' gorgeous and gory revival of her play R & J & Z. Once again directed by Joan Jubett and featuring original cast members joined by a horde of talented newcomers, the sold out production was nominated for three NY Innovative Theater Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Play. Critics loved the show and audiences couldn't get enough of it. As one audience member put it:
You are a damn fool if you live in New York City or thereabouts and you let this play slip past you. It hits the mark and then some on every single level. It's equal parts spooky, insightful, and laugh out loud until you can't breath hilarious...the entire cast to a person deliver lines fearlessly and with 100% dedication. Look, bottom line is I'm a jaded opinionated jerk where art is concerned who rarely pours out accolades on something unless it is deserving, and this performance flat out knocked me on my ass. I'm pretty sure it will do the same to you!!!
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at the STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE
Valley Girl Mistress Quickly? Like, totally, in sooth, for sure! Melody spent August bouncing around the Opera House Arts stage in this 1980's-infused production of Shakespeare's comedy, directed by Jeffrey Frace and Julia Sears.
Valley Girl Mistress Quickly? Like, totally, in sooth, for sure! Melody spent August bouncing around the Opera House Arts stage in this 1980's-infused production of Shakespeare's comedy, directed by Jeffrey Frace and Julia Sears.
IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN at La MaMa E.T.C.
Melody played Michelle in the world premiere of Mike Gorman's IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN, a poetic drama that explores the punk roots of a commercial fisherman and his yearning for an imaginary place. A rebellious rock and roll spirit and dreams of high-seas adventure combine to create theatre's "perfect storm" in the high energy first chapter of Mike's trilogy "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". Directed by David Bennett, the play features lyrical story-telling and live music throughout. It ran in tandem with "Fishing for Paradise," a multi-media art exhibit at the La MaMa Galleria with work by Mike Gorman, Gregory De La Haba, Bob Demetrius, Marguerite White, and Donald Eastman.
If Colorado Had an Ocean is published by Indie Theater Now
Melody played Michelle in the world premiere of Mike Gorman's IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN, a poetic drama that explores the punk roots of a commercial fisherman and his yearning for an imaginary place. A rebellious rock and roll spirit and dreams of high-seas adventure combine to create theatre's "perfect storm" in the high energy first chapter of Mike's trilogy "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". Directed by David Bennett, the play features lyrical story-telling and live music throughout. It ran in tandem with "Fishing for Paradise," a multi-media art exhibit at the La MaMa Galleria with work by Mike Gorman, Gregory De La Haba, Bob Demetrius, Marguerite White, and Donald Eastman.
If Colorado Had an Ocean is published by Indie Theater Now
2014
R & J & Z and Romeo and Juliet at the Stonington Opera House
Opera House Arts presented the July 2014 world premiere of R & J & Z, Melody's first full-length play, directed by Joan Jubett. This new verse play starts with Act V of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and keeps going, as the famous lovers navigate a world in which death is not necessarily the end.
R & J & Z ran in rep with a new production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Holly Derr, with a phenomenal ensemble cast swapping roles between the two plays. Melody played Juliet in R & J & Z and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet.
Check out the trailer here
Read The Maine Edge's rave review
Read about it: The Ellsworth American and Bangor Daily News
Opera House Arts presented the July 2014 world premiere of R & J & Z, Melody's first full-length play, directed by Joan Jubett. This new verse play starts with Act V of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and keeps going, as the famous lovers navigate a world in which death is not necessarily the end.
R & J & Z ran in rep with a new production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Holly Derr, with a phenomenal ensemble cast swapping roles between the two plays. Melody played Juliet in R & J & Z and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet.
Check out the trailer here
Read The Maine Edge's rave review
Read about it: The Ellsworth American and Bangor Daily News
ILLYRIA on the Lower East Side, May 2014
Melody played Olivia in this modern-language riff on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, created by the New York Innovative Theatre-award winning ensemble of Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant. Get tickets here. $25 includes cake.
Melody played Olivia in this modern-language riff on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, created by the New York Innovative Theatre-award winning ensemble of Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant. Get tickets here. $25 includes cake.
NAKED/ SPURIOUS wraps principal photography in New York
Melody plays the heroine Lilly in this provocative art film by Glenn English. Naked/ Spurious is a darkly comedic deconstruction of the Hollywood western. Featuring gorgeous costumes by Ricardo Ramos and the stunning cinematography of Nicola Raggi, the film was shot in May, on location in Manhattan and Queens.
Melody plays the heroine Lilly in this provocative art film by Glenn English. Naked/ Spurious is a darkly comedic deconstruction of the Hollywood western. Featuring gorgeous costumes by Ricardo Ramos and the stunning cinematography of Nicola Raggi, the film was shot in May, on location in Manhattan and Queens.
R & J & Z comes to NYC
What if Romeo and Juliet got a second chance? Melody's new play R & J & Z (Romeo and Juliet and Zombies) begins with Act V of Shakespeare’s play 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, the play throws old and new characters together over the course of an apocalyptic and action-packed twenty-four hours. Written in verse and equally inspired by Shakespeare and modern zombie films, R & J & Z pushes the boundaries of theatrical humor and horror.
New York got it's first bloody taste of R & J & Z in a well-received workshop reading on Sunday, March 2nd, at Shetler Studios. The play, directed by Joan Jubett and featuring Melody in the title role, premieres at Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House in July 2014.
What if Romeo and Juliet got a second chance? Melody's new play R & J & Z (Romeo and Juliet and Zombies) begins with Act V of Shakespeare’s play 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, the play throws old and new characters together over the course of an apocalyptic and action-packed twenty-four hours. Written in verse and equally inspired by Shakespeare and modern zombie films, R & J & Z pushes the boundaries of theatrical humor and horror.
New York got it's first bloody taste of R & J & Z in a well-received workshop reading on Sunday, March 2nd, at Shetler Studios. The play, directed by Joan Jubett and featuring Melody in the title role, premieres at Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House in July 2014.
"Revelatory" Prince Igor opens at the Metropolitan Opera
Director Dmitri Tcherniakov's acclaimed new production of Alexander Borodin's masterpiece ran February 1st through March 8th at the Met. Melody played a Lady in Waiting to Yaroslavna, and a devastated citizen in the final act. Tickets and information here.
Director Dmitri Tcherniakov's acclaimed new production of Alexander Borodin's masterpiece ran February 1st through March 8th at the Met. Melody played a Lady in Waiting to Yaroslavna, and a devastated citizen in the final act. Tickets and information here.
L'Elisir d'Amore at the Metropolitan Opera
This revival of director Bartlett Sher's delightful production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera ran January 9th through February 1st. The New York Times called it "a handsome and insightful staging. Mr. Sher delves beneath the surface of this frothy, tuneful opera to highlight its tale of two young people incapable of facing their mutual attraction...This psychologically charged take on 'Elisir' is fascinating." Melody played a small acting role as the girlfriend of the traveling "doctor" Dulcamara. More information here.
This revival of director Bartlett Sher's delightful production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera ran January 9th through February 1st. The New York Times called it "a handsome and insightful staging. Mr. Sher delves beneath the surface of this frothy, tuneful opera to highlight its tale of two young people incapable of facing their mutual attraction...This psychologically charged take on 'Elisir' is fascinating." Melody played a small acting role as the girlfriend of the traveling "doctor" Dulcamara. More information here.
2013
Two Boys premiers at the Metropolitan Opera
The haunting new opera, composed by Nico Muhly and with a libretto by Craig Lucas, made it's American premiere at the Met in October. Directed by Bartlett Sher, Two Boys explores the shadowy world of the Internet as a detective investigates the stabbing of one teenage boy by another—and discovers a tangled web of online intrigue.
ALAS, THE NYMPHS wraps production in Manhattan
Throughout November, Melody was on set shooting a short film with acclaimed writer-director John Jahnke. Now in post-production, Alas, the Nymphs, adapted from Jahnke's trilogy Men Go Down, is produced by Hotel Savant and is based on the Greek myth of Hylas and the Nymphs.
The haunting new opera, composed by Nico Muhly and with a libretto by Craig Lucas, made it's American premiere at the Met in October. Directed by Bartlett Sher, Two Boys explores the shadowy world of the Internet as a detective investigates the stabbing of one teenage boy by another—and discovers a tangled web of online intrigue.
ALAS, THE NYMPHS wraps production in Manhattan
Throughout November, Melody was on set shooting a short film with acclaimed writer-director John Jahnke. Now in post-production, Alas, the Nymphs, adapted from Jahnke's trilogy Men Go Down, is produced by Hotel Savant and is based on the Greek myth of Hylas and the Nymphs.
R & J & Z coming to Stonington in 2014!
In December Melody returned to Stonington to continue her playwriting residency for R & J & Z. Written in verse and equally inspired by the Bard and modern horror movies, the play starts with Shakespeare's Act V and keeps going, as the famous lovers navigate a world in which death isn't necessarily the end. Joan Jubett will direct a February workshop in New York City, and the July 2014 world premiere at The Stonington Opera House in Maine, where R & J & Z will run in rep with a new production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
In December Melody returned to Stonington to continue her playwriting residency for R & J & Z. Written in verse and equally inspired by the Bard and modern horror movies, the play starts with Shakespeare's Act V and keeps going, as the famous lovers navigate a world in which death isn't necessarily the end. Joan Jubett will direct a February workshop in New York City, and the July 2014 world premiere at The Stonington Opera House in Maine, where R & J & Z will run in rep with a new production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
.JULY - AUGUST 2013
Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant brings Irina's Birthday Party to The Brick
The acclaimed Conni's company (2012 NYIT Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Performance Art) brought their raucus redux of Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters to The Brick in Williamsburg, August 14-17th. Live music and bad behavior ensued as the actresses grappled with Chekhov's great female roles, and audience members were treated to a delicious Russian summer meal, topped off with Miss Conni's Blueberry Buttermilk Birthday cake. As Chekhov never said, “Hell isn't other people. Hell is other people IN YOUR HOUSE.”
Romeo & Juliet & Zombies enjoys first public reading at the Stonington Opera House
Melody spent a week at the end of July working on her new script with a terrific group of actors at the Stonington Opera House in Maine. The work-in-progress play was then unveiled in a warmly-received public reading on July 29th. In August, Melody traveled to the Dominican Republic on a grant to research the historical origins of Vodou and zombie lore on the island of Hispaniola. Her exciting new play--written in verse, beginning with Shakespeare's Act V and continuing where Shakespeare left off--will premiere as part of the summer 2014 Shakespeare in Stonington season.
The acclaimed Conni's company (2012 NYIT Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Performance Art) brought their raucus redux of Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters to The Brick in Williamsburg, August 14-17th. Live music and bad behavior ensued as the actresses grappled with Chekhov's great female roles, and audience members were treated to a delicious Russian summer meal, topped off with Miss Conni's Blueberry Buttermilk Birthday cake. As Chekhov never said, “Hell isn't other people. Hell is other people IN YOUR HOUSE.”
Romeo & Juliet & Zombies enjoys first public reading at the Stonington Opera House
Melody spent a week at the end of July working on her new script with a terrific group of actors at the Stonington Opera House in Maine. The work-in-progress play was then unveiled in a warmly-received public reading on July 29th. In August, Melody traveled to the Dominican Republic on a grant to research the historical origins of Vodou and zombie lore on the island of Hispaniola. Her exciting new play--written in verse, beginning with Shakespeare's Act V and continuing where Shakespeare left off--will premiere as part of the summer 2014 Shakespeare in Stonington season.
JUNE 2013
1887 comedy The Henrietta at The Metropolitan Playhouse
Bronson Howard's hugely successful comedy about double and triple crosses in love and on Wall Street closes out the Obie Award-winning Metropolitan Playhouse's exciting American Dream season. Melody plays Rose Van Alstyne, virtuous wife to a vicious young wolf of Wall Street. Alex Roe directs this early American satirical comedy. Previews begin June 1st. Performances run June 8th-30th. Read The New York Times' excellent review of this new production of a lost American classic.
Public Hearing winning acclaim in festivals around the world
James N. Kienitz Wilkins' 2012 film in which Melody plays a featured role recently screened at M Recent screenings include MoMA PS1, Spain's Punta de Vista International Film Festival and Lisbon, Portugal's IndieLisboa, as part of the World Pulse competition.
Bronson Howard's hugely successful comedy about double and triple crosses in love and on Wall Street closes out the Obie Award-winning Metropolitan Playhouse's exciting American Dream season. Melody plays Rose Van Alstyne, virtuous wife to a vicious young wolf of Wall Street. Alex Roe directs this early American satirical comedy. Previews begin June 1st. Performances run June 8th-30th. Read The New York Times' excellent review of this new production of a lost American classic.
Public Hearing winning acclaim in festivals around the world
James N. Kienitz Wilkins' 2012 film in which Melody plays a featured role recently screened at M Recent screenings include MoMA PS1, Spain's Punta de Vista International Film Festival and Lisbon, Portugal's IndieLisboa, as part of the World Pulse competition.
MARCH 2013
Opera House Arts residency for Romeo and Juliet and Zombies
In March, Melody returned to Stonington, Maine for a second residency week, which was spent working with high school students who are reading Romeo and Juliet, writing, eating lobster rolls, and falling asleep while streaming zombie movies on Netflix. Her new play, Romeo and Juliet and Zombies, will be workshopped at the Stonington Opera House in the summer of 2013, and will have its premiere as part of their 2014 summer season. Follow the links above to find out more!
In March, Melody returned to Stonington, Maine for a second residency week, which was spent working with high school students who are reading Romeo and Juliet, writing, eating lobster rolls, and falling asleep while streaming zombie movies on Netflix. Her new play, Romeo and Juliet and Zombies, will be workshopped at the Stonington Opera House in the summer of 2013, and will have its premiere as part of their 2014 summer season. Follow the links above to find out more!
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
Bartlett Sher’s Le Comte Ory and L’Elisir d’Amore return to the Metropolitan Opera
L'Elisir d'Amore is Melody's third opera with Bartlett Sher at the Met. After opening the 2012-2013 season to audience and critical acclaim, it returned in January and February, running in rep with one of Mr. Sher's previous triumphs, Le Comte Ory. Melody was featured in small acting roles in both--as the girlfriend of Dulcamara in Elisir and the Countess Adele's Lady in Waiting in Comte. She has previously appeared in the Met premieres and Live HD broadcasts of Les Contes d’Hoffmann (also directed by Mr. Sher) and Le Comte Ory, and Don Giovanni, directed by Michael Grandage.
The Margaret Project debuts at the Player's Club on January 14th
Melody read Margaret in this exciting new play about the women of the War of the Roses, drawing on Shakespeare, his sources, and early women writers. Adapted and directed by Elyzabeth Gorman, featuring music by Alexander Sovronsky, produced by Co Creation Productions. Performances are at 3 and 7pm.
RSVP to TheMargaretProject@gmail.com to reserve tickets.
L'Elisir d'Amore is Melody's third opera with Bartlett Sher at the Met. After opening the 2012-2013 season to audience and critical acclaim, it returned in January and February, running in rep with one of Mr. Sher's previous triumphs, Le Comte Ory. Melody was featured in small acting roles in both--as the girlfriend of Dulcamara in Elisir and the Countess Adele's Lady in Waiting in Comte. She has previously appeared in the Met premieres and Live HD broadcasts of Les Contes d’Hoffmann (also directed by Mr. Sher) and Le Comte Ory, and Don Giovanni, directed by Michael Grandage.
The Margaret Project debuts at the Player's Club on January 14th
Melody read Margaret in this exciting new play about the women of the War of the Roses, drawing on Shakespeare, his sources, and early women writers. Adapted and directed by Elyzabeth Gorman, featuring music by Alexander Sovronsky, produced by Co Creation Productions. Performances are at 3 and 7pm.
RSVP to TheMargaretProject@gmail.com to reserve tickets.
SEPTEMBER 2012
Melody was nominated for four New York Innovative Theatre Awards, and won two! Nominations included Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role for her performance as “Dina” in Eightythree Down, produced by Hard Sparks in association with Horse Trade Theatre Group; and Outstanding Ensemble for her work in both Eightythree Down and Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant Returns in: The Mothership Landing, produced by Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant in association with the Irondale Center. Eightythree Down was nominated for a total of six NYIT Awards, including Outstanding Premiere Production of a Play. Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant was nominated for a total of three, including Outstanding Performance Art Piece. Both plays ran during September 2011, and actually overlapped for three performances. On those nights, Melody would take her bows at Under St. Marks, hail a cab to Greenpoint, climb into the back seat and shimmy into the silver tutu and rave gear of her Conni's character Silver3, arriving just in time to join the Conni's mayhem. The awards ceremony is September 24th at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.
JULY 2012
Antony & Cleopatra wows audiences at the 2012 Shakespeare in Stonington festival
This summer Melody returned to Maine’s Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House, where she played Shakespeare’s greatest heroine, Cleopatra, in a modern, ritual-steeped production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.
This summer Melody returned to Maine’s Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House, where she played Shakespeare’s greatest heroine, Cleopatra, in a modern, ritual-steeped production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.