Meet Melle Phillips | Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melle Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melle, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose this career because I wanted to tell stories I had yet to see. I consider myself an all around storyteller, and use whatever modality I can. As a child, I enjoyed the studio musicals of the early and midcentury, the glamour, and long form narrative work. Sitting at so many intersections of identity, I always wanted to see the multitudes of human experiences and the various shades of humankind, reflected in that work. The multitalented, multi-hyphenate workers who create(d) space for themselves continue to inspire me to build something new. I want to be a transporter, to the past, or future, and a mirror to reconsider the present.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a first gen and a Black woman, my identity has informed so much of my work. Both of my parents are from Guyana, South America, and so I write pieces that resonate with my experiences of assimilation, connection, and deliberate space making. The content is serious but the stories are filled with adventure, movement, dreamy scapes and ways to build something new. As an actor, I love period pieces and hope to do more of them! Original work deeply excites me, and I’ve just finished performing in an immersive piece loosely based on Josephine Baker. I have performed in, and create a lot of children’s content which is a way for me to stay connected to my inner child, and remember the time in life that sparked this passion. I have worked with children throughout my life, and so making art for them has always felt natural. This journey is not easy, because its vulnerable and unconventional. In my case, with a family whose sacrificed much of their own comfort to secure mine, it’s risky to pursue artistic work. That said, I’ve learned that so much of this work is about alignment with myself. I have to wake up knowing why I’m doing what I’m doing, it has to resonate with me. Otherwise, I’m not fooling anyone, especially myself. In many ways, being a performer requires you to rely so deeply on your gut, your faith, whatever guides you. At the end of the day, that is your GPS. I’m following it authentically, each an every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a Brooklyn girl, born and raised. That said, my list is concentrated in Brooklyn. Check out Aunts Et Uncles for breakfast on any given day, and head out to Prospect Park. A lot of people don’t realize there’s a zoo there, and roaming peacocks. They’re friendly! You might be peckish after(lol,) so go to Ali’s Roti Shop and have a roti with curry(choose your protein-it’s all tasty.) You can go toward downtown and stop on Eastern Parkway at the Brooklyn Museum to see any number exhibits. If you’re lucky it’s First Saturdays and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re wanting to catch a show later in the evening and maybe it’s memorial day weekend, head to Dance Africa at BAM, or a someone’s set at Brooklyn Moon. For a more chill outdoorsy day, you can do Shirley Chisholm Park, Rockaway Beach or even head to Coney Island. Honorable mentions are thrifting in BedStuy, jazz at Sankofa Aban, and ice cream in Dumbo!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout is to my muse and teacher Eleo Pomare, who showed me that narratives are a part of my power. A special shoutout to my collaborators and artistic twin flames: Brittany Harris, Jessica St. Vil-Ulysse and Maxine Montilus who are constantly saying yes to my ideas! I have countless teachers who pushed my when others counted me out. Shoutout to faculty at NYU, the Atlantic Theater Company, and colleagues at the New Victory Theater where I’ve done plenty of growing and learning. My mentors, Simone, and York, who have helped me shift my thinking and course correct numerous times. Much love to my friends and family, especially my partner! All of whom grow and change with me and not in spite of me.

Website: https://mellephillips.com

Instagram: @mellephillips

Image Credits
Alexis-Buatti-Ramos, David Noles, Shane Drummond