Melissa Bell

Melissa Bell is a playwright with 18 years of experience in theatre production and musicals. She began her career as a musician and backup singer in the 1980s New York City dance music scene, performing with the group Cinnamon. After earning her BA in English with a writing concentration from Columbia University School of General Studies, she worked for 21 years as a content creator and production manager at XTech Media, collaborating with Big Pharma clients on presentations and pitch decks while raising her son. Bell transitioned to playwriting after meeting Graham Russell of Air Supply and co-writing musicals with him, including projects that attracted Broadway producers. Her works include the off-Broadway show Devil in the Deep, a reimagining of Treasure Island, and Lady Capulet. She has received nominations for awards and maintains active memberships in the 29th Street Playwrights, Farm Arts Collective, where she develops ecology-themed productions, and Barefoot Shakespeare. Bell credits her success to persistence, stepping away from office work to focus on writing daily, and the guidance of her mentor Stevie Phillips to maintain focus and build upon it.