Meet The Maker
Hey Y'all.
(for non-Texans, that's you + all)
My name is Mel Edwards and I teach technical theatre in the Lone Star State. That's right, Texas.
I am a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance – Scenic Technology. During my time at UT I worked in the scene shop, prop shop and the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Drama Loan Library.
After college, I took on a position at The Studio Theatre in Washington, DC where I served as one of three scenic carpenters. The Studio Theatre has a 9 show season and manages 4 theatre spaces along with its Actor's Conservatory. After some time, I returned to Texas to be closer to family and I continued my woodworking skills building custom cabinets and furniture with an Austin company named The WIM Group.
My involvement outside of teaching includes serving as Technical Director to Tal Lostracco's Summer Theatre Camp. Tal's is a two week intensive theatre camp for high school students. Each year the camp accepts about 100 student and produces 5 shows in less than two weeks. I have also served as teacher honor crew for the UIL State One Act Play meet for the last 6 years as the 4a-6a Scho-Show supervisor.
I enjoy teaching my students that everything is within reach and their artistic opinions matters. Students in my classroom are exposed to scenic painting, wig making, set building and costume construction, to name a few subjects. I am always looking for new ways and new techniques to teach my students and that they should all strive to be live long learners.
Theatre has allowed me to utilize all my skills and even learn new ones. I am proud to be part of an industry where sawdust in your pockets is an everyday thing. It’s not worth doing unless you get paint, dirt or splinters under your fingernails.
View my portfolio at www.melmakesstuff.net
