Melanya Helene

Melanya directed her first show before the age of 10 in the front yard for all the neighborhood children. Play after Play feels much the same for her, an event for the community.

She studied many forms of performance over the years, but because for her performance must be service, she grew disillusioned with most performance forms she encountered.

So at the age of 21, she had a baby, then another, and started a childcare business out of her home.  For 10 years, she spent her time almost exclusively in the company of young children. She learned about slowing down, becoming present, and the great value in being kind no matter what.

She graduated with a BA in Vocal Studies from The Naropa University in 1997.

Now, she is the artistic director at the Brooklyn Bay, a non profit performing arts organization, and regularly performs and directs for children and adults. She also teaches mindfulness-based improvisation.

Marc Otto

Marc didn’t do any performing as a child. He mostly daydreamed out schoolhouse windows, went for long walks in the oak covered hills behind his house and visited with salamanders and cows.  It wasn’t until college that he realized he was a performer, but he always loved to play and valued kindness toward all living things.

Marc studied physical theater, butoh, tai chi, yoga, aikido, body-mind centering and other mindful movement forms.  In 1998 he earned his MA from the Naropa University in Somatic Psychology - Dance Movement Therapy.

For over 10 years Marc worked in the mental health and addictions treatment fields and raised a family with Melanya.  He learned to accept people where they are and experienced the truth of healing through kindness and gentleness.

Now, Marc performs regularly for both adults and children at The Brooklyn Bay.  Through teaching somatic practices, Marc supports others to become embodied, literally easing into their body to be more fully present in their lives.  And he still visits with salamanders whenever he can.