Cathlyn Melvin - Chicago Actor
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Ongoing Projects
Compass Creative Dramatics
Camp Educator
June 2013 - Present
Students aged 6-18








Compass Creative Dramatics
Workshop Instructor
March 2013 - Present
Students aged 3-Adult



GreatWorks Touring Theatre
Tour Actor | Q&A Leader
February 2011 - Present
Students aged 3-14
Manage multi-state tour for two-educator team 
Provide care, supervision, and education daily for 10-40 children aged 6 to 18
Co-direct students in a 60-minute original musical
Provide theatre education and programming for school-aged students and their families
Prepare learning materials, adjusted daily based on specific students' needs
Establish a fun, safe, encouraging working environment
Quickly develop relationships with parents and students over one-week period
Integrate children with special needs into program, modifying curriculum as needed
Encourage kids through difficult spells
Quickly assess which students need to be pulled vs. pushed

Answer students' questions openly and thoughtfully; lead them to explore further

Intro to Theatre | Creative Play | Shakespeare | Improv | Stage Combat | Clowning | Dance
Develop materials related to various theatrical themes
Specify curriculum based on ages and skill levels for students
Research and customize exercises that stretch kids' creativity and bravery

Adapt programming to suit groups as small as 5, up through groups as large as 40
Engage students from the moment they walk through the door; gain their trust so they feel safe to play!

Fractured Fairy Tales (K-8) | The BFG (K-5) | Number the Stars (4-8)
Perform age-appropriate material as provided by GreatWorks
Lead follow-up Q&A sessions
Encourage students to ask thoughtful questions
Redirect questions into insightful lessons or observations
Verbally reward students for good audience behavior
Break down processes and thoughts into bite-sized pieces for younger audience members
Engage students in intelligent, age-appropriate discourse


Other Projects
Intro to Theatre Workshop Series
Workshop Leader
Sheboygan North High School (WI)
March - May 2013
Students aged 14-18
Intro to Business of Theatre (50 minutes):
Developed overview of actor marketing, audition prep, and general business knowledge
Engaged students in Q&A regarding choosing a university, moving to a new city, pursuing acting, etc.
Created visual aids such as sides, headshots, rep book, to illustrate various lessons regarding the business of theatre

Intro to Laban (50 minutes):
Designed warm-up routine to connect body to breath, integrating the history of Laban with some exercises the students already practiced daily. 
Used various activities to stretch students' physical comfort levels
Encouraged exploration of new limits
Used their current curriculum (studying "Sweeney Todd") to connect to the new concept of Laban
“I was very inspired because you can tell when she talks about this that she’s really into it and I want that to be me. 
I want to be able to go to schools and say, ‘Hey, this is what it’s about and this is what we do.’” 
- high school senior Stephanie Lesperance  
Read the article and watch the video here.
Other Educational Experience
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Theatre History Tutor
Dramatic Lit Tutor
September 2008 - May 2009
University Students

University of Wisconsin - Sheboygan
Spanish Tutor
January 2005 - December 2005
University Students


Theatre for Young Audiences
Storybook Series Director
February 2005 - May 2005
Students aged 7-13




Sheboygan South High School
Forensics and Debate Coach
September 2004 - June 2006
Students 14-18
Assisted students of various educational backgrounds & needs
Arranged study groups for midterms and finals

Led discussion based on themes and topics introduced in reading materials or classroom discussion
Proofread and edited papers



Assisted 1st - 5th semester Spanish students with vocabulary, grammar, composition, and conversation
Guided students through completion of worksheets and other activities to increase students' comprehension

Organized and led study and discussion sessions which further enabled students' conversational skills
Conducted Test Prep Sessions and group work sessions to facilitate students’ development as Spanish speakers and readers


Auditioned approximately 50 students aged 7 to 13
Cast 10 students to play roles in "Peter Rabbit & Me"
Conceptualized blocking and design
Encouraged the students to share their own ideas
Led students in daily warm-ups
Taught basic theatre concepts like "the rule of threes"

Focuses on projection and the use of bodies

Researched and developed performance cuts of prose, poetry, and drama
Assisted students as they created original characters and voices
Coached speech students on gesture and voice
Taught skills in research, speech writing, analysis, and performance
Helped students understand speechwriting as a means for them to shape their individual voice and style


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