Together, we can bring out the best in one another through theater!
Mel O'Musical is a dynamic, inclusive and vibrant musical theater company dedicated to delivering exceptional performances and creating unforgettable experiences for our students & audiences. With a passion for the arts and a commitment to excellence, we bring together talented performers, creatives, and production staff to produce fabulous musical productions that inspire, entertain, and captivate audiences & students alike.
At Mel O’ Musical, we strive to foster a safe, supportive environment where our students feel comfortable taking creative risks, helping them grow into phenomenal actors and all round awesome humans! With the support of our amazing team members, including a board certified pediatric therapist we call our FairyGodmother, we pride ourselves on meeting our students where they’re at, taking them to new heights with each production they participate in, whether on stage or on crew. Here at Mel O’ Musical, we offer several mainstage musicals each year along with weekly classes, workshops and vacation programs. To learn more about our programs, follow the links below!
Who’s who in Mel O’ Musical?
Mel Gillespie (she/her)
Producer
Mel founded Mel O’ Drama in 2011 where she still teaches a variety of drama classes weekly. She branched into musical theater in 2016 and that devision is now called Mel O’ Musical. She produces 5 main-stage musicals and teaches several classes and vacation programs throughout the year. Her mission is to continue creating a safe & inclusive space for theater kids and to eventually find or build her own theater for her Mel O’ Musical Family.
Bri Clarke (she/they)
Production Manager/Director/Stage Manager
Bri Clarke is thrilled to come on board as Mel O' Musical's first ever Production Manager! She was born and raised in Utah, where she fell in love with theater while seeing a production of "Anything Goes" during middle school. She continued participating in theater throughout high school and eventually majored in Theater Education at Brigham Young University. Bri currently lives in Braintree with her wife and two tabby cats. You can usually find Bri watching Steven Universe, belting out Broadway tunes, or dreaming up their next tap dance.
Robyn Fatseas (she/her)
Therapist AKA ‘Fairy Godmother.’
Robyn is a pediatric therapist & is a guiding force for the social and emotional wellbeing of our actors. She brings a unique blend of warmth, wisdom, and whimsy to our program, creating an environment where our students flourish not only on the stage, but beyond it as well. Providing a comforting presence at rehearsals and backstage, she invests time and energy to ensure each individual feels seen and empowered.
Loren Sylvester (he/they)
Musical Director
Loren has an M.Me. in music education, choral conducting, and vocal performance from Castleton University in Vermont. He has been the primary music director at Mel O’Drama ever since their very first musical way back in 2016! The opportunity to foster a new and inclusive theater arts culture while not only honing the abilities of these intelligent, creative, and exuberant students, but to also provide a safe and nurturing setting for these truly remarkable humans to express themselves freely continues to be, for them, one of life’s greatest passions.
Amanda Mirabella (she/her)
Director/Choreographer
Amanda Mirabella has been choreographing for Mel O’Musical since 2018 (Shrek Jr.). When not at Mel O’ Musical, she can be found getting roasted by her students at Lowell High School, being dragged down the street by her dogs, forcing her very patient partner to watch SpongeBob with her, or failing saving throws in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. She is endlessly grateful for the collaborative, creative, and welcoming space Mel O’Drama provides!
Robin Mackey (she/her)
Director/Choreographer
Robin Mackey is a graduate of Dreyfoos School of Arts & FSU’s School of Theatre. Her superpower is seeing and connecting to each child’s authentic self and finding out how they learn best in order to guide them to reach their full potential. Throughout her productions, Robin’s teaching style has made a mark. Instilling discipline, dedication, and appreciation for hard work and professionalism; celebrating actors’ unique strengths and developing areas of growth; all while remembering not to take ourselves too seriously! It’s a balance y’all! Don’t forget to laugh!
Thomas Cappelli (he/him)
Resident Scenic Designer & Technical Director (and occasional stage manager)
Thomas has a B.A. in Theatre from UMass Boston, where he was a regional (R1) finalist for a Kennedy Center collegiate Stage Management Fellowship, and trained under AEA and IATSE standards and mentorship. He takes great pride in fostering an environment in which our kids grow into both tenacious and responsible go-getters!
Alexa Steele (she/her)
Costume Designer
Alexa began working as a freelance costume designer in the Greater Boston area in 2015. She joined Mel O' Musical in the spring of 2022 and has loved making everything from tap dancing rats to Knights who say Ni! Alexa also works at the Arts Education Assistant at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. She considers her Mel O’ Musical family “some of the wackiest, kindest, and most talented people I've ever had the pleasure to work with!"
Jeremy Blanchard (he/him)
Videographer
Having grown up in a musical family; his mother studied opera at Sac State, his father is a playwright, and his brother studied voice at USC, it is befitting that Jeremy attended Berklee College of Music where he studied performance and song-writing on electric bass and voice. Jeremy has played the role of band leader, sound engineer, and media producer for the past 30+ years and is happy to lend his skills toward the success of Mel O’ Musical.
Megan Lummus (she/her)
Teacher
Megan Lummus (she/her) is theatre and film director, holding a Bachelors of Arts in Film Production and Theatre Directing from Keene State College. She has been directing theatre for six years, in a variety of styles. Throughout much of her directing, she has worked to help actors hone their skill sets and learn more, and is excited to bring this to Mel O'Drama. She loves working with students to help them find their natural path into acting, as well as different techniques to help challenge them to learn new skills. She has worked on many projects over the years, but some favorites include: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (FRIGID NYC's Little Shakespeare Festival), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens (A Common Thread Theatre Company), and Love Isn't Real by AJ (The Gordon Community Arts Center). She specializes in working in accessible theatre and helping neurodivergent and disabled actors find their way into the wonderful world of theatre!
Miranda Louf (she/her)
Stage Manager/Costume Designer/Sound Designer/Light Designer
Miranda Louf (She/Her) is an accountant by day but spends all of her free time pursuing her love for theatre! A good friend and a stroke of luck led Miranda to the magic of Mel O' Drama/Musical. Miranda is also a board member of the Walpole Footlighters in Walpole, MA. Miranda is a jack of all trades and her previous credits include Into the Woods (Stage Manager), She Loves Me (Assistant Stage Manager), Little Mermaid (Assistant Wardrobe Manager), and The Mousetrap (Prop Mistress). In her free time, Miranda enjoys cuddling with her cat, walking her dog, and driving down to Broadway for a show. Prior to joining the Mel O' Drama/Musical, Miranda hadn’t been involved in theatre for several years, however she loves that she has found a great community that allows her to continue to pursue her passion!
Caprial Cassidy (she/her)
Teacher
Caprial graduated from Providence College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre. While at Providence, Caprial taught weekly drama classes to children in the area. After graduation, Caprial served as the associate director of Something Rotten: A Very New Musical at Providence. She also worked as the associate director and choreographer for Bat Boy: The Musical and Violet. Some of her favorite acting credits include, Marcy Park in Spelling Bee, Pan/Maggie/Ruthie in Bat Boy, Erin in Lord of the Flies, Tami in Falling, and Ethel in Moon Over Buffalo. Caprial has also served as a teaching artist for the White Heron Theatre in Nantucket, MA. Most recently, she worked as the choreographer and associate director for Carrie The Musical and Twelfth Night at White Heron. Caprial holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education and is a proud fourth grade education teacher!
Viola Dean (she/her)
DEI Consultant
Viola Dean, LCSW (she/hers) is a social worker with a background in training and facilitation, on topics including diversity, equity and inclusion, harm reduction and supporting LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Viola identifies as a Black feminist and a harm reductionist. She’s worked with LGBTQIA2S+ youth of color in the Greater Boston area since 2019. Viola works with Mel O’ Musical as a DEI consultant.
Mark Whipple (He/Him)
Lighting Designer
Mark Whipple is thrilled to again be working with the amazing group of humans that are Mel O’Musical! Mark has been lighting designer for seven previous MOM productions. He has designed lights for shows at many other local venues including Milton Players, Riverside Theatreworks and Priscilla Beach Theatre. Some of the shows he has designed recently include Hadestown (Hingham HS), Bright Star (Curtain Call) and Camelot! (Priscilla Beach). Mark was nominated for a DASH award in Lighting Design for his work on She Loves Me! at Walpole Footlighters. Mark would like to thank Mel and Bri for their support and collaboration, and for just being awesome people!
Lori Lanergan (She/Her)
Public Relations Manager
Hello! My name is Lori, and I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Mel O’ Musical for several years. As a proud member of the team, you’ll often find me in the lobby during performances, ensuring everything runs smoothly and helping to create a welcoming atmosphere. It’s truly an honor to be part of a company that brings the magic of live theatre to our community, and I am passionate about contributing to its success.
Outside of the theater, I live in Quincy with my husband, our two sons, and our two cats. When I’m not working, I enjoy curling up with a good book, getting creative with crafts, and spending quality time with my family.
Megan Mear (She/Her)
Teacher/Director
Megan has a teaching degree in English which led her to teach theater to middle schoolers at a Montessori school in Milton which in turn led her to Mel O' Drama. She is pleased to work with Mel and many of the other teachers to bring theater to young people. Even just an hour a week or even just one session, she has seen happier and more creative people develop; they communicate better and grow confidence in themselves. They learn to explore emotions in a safe environment and therefore learn to regulate their own feelings. The success at Mel O' Drama and Mel O' Musical is profound. “All the world’s a stage”. No truer words have been spoken.
Jayden Weichtmann
Music Director
Jayden is a passionate music educator, vocal coach, and clarinetist with over a decade of experience in performance. A recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Jayden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a minor in Theatre.
Specializing in clarinet, Jayden has performed with numerous ensembles throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, developing a versatile background in both classical and contemporary music. In addition to performing, Jayden has spent the past three years music directing nearly 20 theatrical productions, bringing a collaborative and dynamic approach to the stage.
At Mel O’ Musical, Jayden serves as a vocal coach and woodwind instructor, blending strong musicianship with a deep understanding of theatre to help performers grow in both skill and confidence.
Vincent Ratsavong (He/Him)
Director/Choreographer
VINCENT S. RATSAVONG is a second-generation Laotian American Director and Choreographer. He graduated from Emerson College in 2018 obtaining his Master’s in Theater Education in Community. While at Emerson, Vincent devised three original productions for Emerson's Theater Education Graduate Association: Relationship: A Noun; After Antigone: A Response to The Antigone Project; and his Master thesis, Hey, Brown Boy! Vincent is a two-time Irene Ryan Nominee and Semi-Finalist for The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 1 and placed first at the 2015 NATS Boston Song Festival. Some of his favorite directorial credits include: Amelie: The Musical; Cabaret; Into the Woods; Little Shop of Horrors; Urinetown: The Musical; and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Derrick Lacasse (He/Him)
Music Director
Derrick Lacasse is an established Music Director throughout New England. Some favorites productions include; Bright Star, Hairspray, Addams Family, Amelie, Urinetown, Freaky Friday, Marvelous Wonderettes, Xanadu, Godspell, It Shoulda Been You, Drowsy Chaperone, Into The Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Suessical, and Pippin.
Originally from Maine, Derrick obtained a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Lesley University and is currently working as a mental health counselor. Derrick is also an avid performer, some of his favorite roles include: Baker in Into the Woods,
Gaston in Beauty and The Beast, The Dentist and others in Little Shop of Horrors, and Cliff in Cabaret. Special thank you to all my friends and family and much love to my husband Vincent and cat Sisi.
Mel O’ Musical Board
Jennifer Fay (she/her)
President
Sara Garland (she/her)
Secretary
Lisa Berard (she/her)
Treasurer
Melanie Gillespie (she/her)
Executive Director
Jackie Zais (she/her)
Member at Large
Joanne Hall-Robertson (she/her)
Member at Large