Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Education Director, Melissa Weinstein

Melissa received a B.A. in Theatre from SJSU, with emphases in acting, makeup design, and children’s theatre, and has also trained with ComedySportz in improvisation and with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in mime and commedia dell’arte. She has been a theatre educator since 2000, and has taught, directed, and developed theatre curriculum for numerous schools and organizations, including SVS, Starting Arts, Children’s Discovery Museum, The Tech Museum, and Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation. Melissa also freelances as a makeup-artist and designer, regularly teaching workshops throughout the Bay Area. 

In addition to SVS, companies she has worked with include Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Channel UK, Opera San Jose, and West Bay Opera. She is a passionate advocate of the benefits of arts engagement, with its ability to foster personal growth, build communities and cultural awareness, and encourage innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, for students of all ages and at all levels of participation.