Melissa Lusher

Melissa Lusher is a tenured Professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Otterbein University, serving as Associate Chair, Director of the B.F.A. Acting program, Resident Speech and Dialects Coach, and Workshop/Advanced Directing Coordinator. Honored as Otterbein's 2018 Teacher of the Year, she holds certifications in Michael Chekhov technique through the Great Lakes Consortium and is an active dialect coach for regional theaters.

Education:

• M.F.A. in Acting, Carnegie Mellon University and The Moscow Art Theatre (1997)
• B.F.A. in Acting, Carnegie Mellon University (1993)

Her research centers on actor training methodologies, specializing in Stanislavsky and Michael Chekhov techniques, Laban movement analysis, and dialect/accent mastery using IPA. She emphasizes self-discipline components including initiative, ensemble focus, and reflective practice in pedagogical development.

Awards & Recognition:

• Otterbein University Teacher of the Year (2018)
• Columbus Dispatch Best Ten Productions of 2012 for "SPRING AWAKENING"
• Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar

As Director of the B.F.A. Acting program, Lusher mentors undergraduate performers while coordinating advanced directing workshops. Her professional engagements include dialect coaching for CATCO, Short North Stage, Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, Abbey Theatre of Dublin, and academic institutions including Denison University and Ohio Wesleyan.

She maintains active industry affiliations as a VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) member and regularly directs major productions such as THE CRUCIBLE, "MASTER HAROLD"… AND THE BOYS, and world premieres like INVENTION OF THEATER.