Melinda Moore
Honolulu,HI
Summary
Accomplished arts educator and administrator with more than 20 years of leadership in K-12 independent schools. Strategic-thinking and dynamic educational director overseeing every facet of theatre arts productions, curriculum design and effective staffing models, with strong project management and decision-making skills. Comprehensive knowledge of school planning and operations. Deeply engaged in learning for the whole child, including initiatives in DEIB and social emotional ethical learning.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Theatre
Punahou School
08.2016 - Current
- Creating innovative, robust competency-based curriculum and assessment for K-12 arts and academics in a dynamic, challenging, diverse, and inclusive learning environment of 3,770 students in K-12
- Hiring, developing, evaluating, and supporting talented, diverse arts faculty, encouraging collaboration and alignment with social-emotional ethical learning
- Negotiating fiscally responsible and clear contracts for designers, technicians, actors, and key personnel to ensure smooth operations
- Implementation of data-driven decision-making processes to assess theatre program effectiveness and inform future improvements, streamlining operations and doubling revenue streams over past 4 years
- Advising students in structured 4-year advisory programs, college counseling, and student wellness programming
- Serving on Academy faculty curriculum committees, professional development committee, and the Academy leadership administrative team, connection with
- Engaging in DEIB and social justice leadership towards anti-racist education and performance study, inclusive casting practices, and stage intimacy training for all theatre actors and artists
- Fostering and building relationships with advancement staff and donors who are eager to support arts education, speaking at parent and community events, admissions rallies and fundraising activities
- Responsibly creating and managing capital and operating theatre budgets of 600K+, scheduling and supporting all technical theatre staff, costume designers, production assistants, parent volunteers, liaison between academic, curricular, and co-curricular departments across campus
- Creating and modeling a deep spirit of care for students, community outreach, and place-based education, seeking avenues to explore cultural and indigenous contexts
- Director of after school and summer programming for more than 350 students in K-12 grade, directing musical and play productions, developing and teaching courses in multiple theatre arts disciplines
- Directorial credits include: Les Miserables, Wonderful Town, Almost/Maine, Museum, The Dining Room, Toothpaste and Cigars, Spelling Bee, Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike, Singing in the Rain, A Christmas Carol, The Meta Plays, Once, A Monster Calls, Radium Girls, August: Osage County, In the Heights, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Urinetown
Theatre Director & Dept. Chair
Mounds Park Academy
08.2007 - 06.2016
- Devised dynamic curriculum for creative dramatics and theatre arts classes grades 1-12 which inspired students to be free thinkers while safely enjoying challenging and inclusive learning
- Taught a wide range of classes that included audition techniques, theatre styles, improvisational acting, movement, script analysis, social issues, dance, musical theatre, costume design, playwriting & directing
- Co-director of Mounds Park Academy International Thespian Society
- Producer & Director of 3 large-scale main stage plays and musical productions each year, serving 150+ Middle & Upper School students
- Directing credits at MPA include Our Town, Museum, Zombie Prom, Anyone Can Whistle, Many Moons, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown: The Musical, Spring Awakening (original play version) & The 39 Steps
- Managed all classroom & production budgets, exempt and non-exempt staff of professional designers, directors, and technical support
- Mentored and advised students outside of classroom activities, providing meaningful feedback on successes as well as inspiration for improvement
- Worked closely with colleagues, families, and students to create best practices in all areas of arts education.
- Observed tight deadlines and strict budgetary controls to avoid waste and streamline costs.
- Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
Interim Residential Life Director
The Boston Conservatory
05.2006 - 05.2007
- Responsible for overall management of student housing program during leave of acting Director of Residential Life
- Provided leadership to diverse on-campus population of 250+ students in six residence halls in Boston Fenway neighborhood
- Collaborated on design and execution of hiring process for maintenance managers, RA training, and wellness programming throughout residence halls
- Created schedules for exempt and nonexempt employees, RA,'s and security
- Supported residents in need of counseling or crisis management.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
Education
Certificate in Education Finance (CEF) - Educational Finance
Georgetown University
Hybrid 01.2024
Ed.D. Educational and Social Justice Leadership - Educational Leadership, Professional Practice
University of Hawai'i
Honolulu, HI01.2023
M.M. Musical Theatre - Musical Theatre Performance
The Boston Conservatory
Boston, MA01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre And Communication Studies
Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Peter, MN 01.2001
Skills
- Policy Development
- Operations Oversight
- Events Coordination
- Community Relations
- Collaborative Leadership
- Employee Performance and Program Evaluations
- Academic administration
- Group facilitation and presentations
Servant Leadership
- American Alliance of Theatre and Education, Board of Directors, 2022, PRESENT
- International Thespian Society, Troupe 1456 Director, 2017, PRESENT
Timeline
Director of Theatre
Punahou School
08.2016 - Current
Theatre Director & Dept. Chair
Mounds Park Academy
08.2007 - 06.2016
Interim Residential Life Director
The Boston Conservatory
05.2006 - 05.2007
Certificate in Education Finance (CEF) - Educational Finance
Georgetown University
Ed.D. Educational and Social Justice Leadership - Educational Leadership, Professional Practice
University of Hawai'i
M.M. Musical Theatre - Musical Theatre Performance
The Boston Conservatory
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre And Communication Studies
Gustavus Adolphus College
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