It would seem that Melissa has been active in the theater and the arts all her life. During her high school years at Chagrin her burgeoning talent was recognized and rewarded by a scholarship to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan where she studied drama and graduated with honors in 1973. She attended Southern Methodist University and then transferred to New York University where she graduated with a BFA in 1978. Melissa has played featured roles on television’s Law and Order, and Guiding Light, and recently played Dr. Cambrini in the film Love in 3. She has performed in numerous award-winning New York and regional productions. In the past year, Melissa has appeared in stage productions of William Inge’s Picnic, Herb Gardner’s I’m Not a Rappaport, and Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones. In New York City Melissa is a member of the Playwright’s Gallery Acting Company, and is a regular performer in the cult-hit show, Cause Celeb. She most recently has written and performed a one-woman show entitled Baby Love that has received excellent reviews. In service to her community Melissa has performed extensively with Performance Plus and Plays for Living, two New York based organizations that present socially relevant dramas to schools, hospitals, and businesses. Topics of these dramas have included: domestic violence, sexual harassment, and diversity in the workplace. Melissa is married to actor Richard Council and they live in New York City and Vermont with their son Will.