Melissa Friesen

Dr. Melissa Friesen serves as the Mary Nord and Joseph Ignat Endowed Chair in Theatre at Bluffton University. Her role involves curating theatre productions that balance accessibility with creative challenge for students, emphasizing emotionally and intellectually stimulating plays with vivid language and humor. She prioritizes plays that fit Bluffton's Ramseyer Auditorium stage and maintain annual program diversity.

• Key Focus: Play selection process involving summer script review and feasibility assessment
• Teaching Philosophy: Aligns with Bluffton's general education approach encouraging low-stakes exploration

Her formative experiences included leadership roles in music performance, worship leading, and academic auditions, which shaped her belief in experiential learning. During the pandemic, she explored cooking through meal kits, later applying collaborative meal preparation during a Washington D.C. cross-cultural program, blending practical life skills with educational experiences.