About
Melissa-Kelly is an award-winning Greek-Australian writer and director, born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Australia. She has lived in various cities around the world, from Sydney to Bristol, Berlin to Lausanne. She is passionate about stories that lie at the intersection of social, cultural and political issues, and engage audiences with beauty, humanity and daring. She is currently based between London, Sydney and Adelaide.
Melissa-Kelly’s writing has received international recognition. Her most recent play, PARADISE LOST, won the Australian Theatre Festival NYC New Play Award 2022, was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022 - 23 and longlisted for the Theatre 503 International Playwriting Award and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 37 Plays project. In 2024, Melissa-Kelly will undertake a playwriting residency in the West End, as part of the Criterion Theatre New Writing Programme in London’s West End.
Melissa-Kelly’s debut play, WE’LL DANCE ON THE ASH OF THE APOCALYPSE, was a Finalist for Best Playwright at the Scenesaver Honour Awards. Melissa-Kelly directed the original London run of the play, which was nominated for an Off West End Award for Best Theatre (Camden Fringe) and toured international online theatre festivals in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland. It has attracted nominations including People’s Choice Award (Melbourne Fringe), Audience Choice Award (Brighton Fringe) and was shortlisted for the National Theatre of Iceland’s 2021 Season.
Melissa-Kelly’s short films have screened at festivals internationally, attracting nominations including Best Director (EMBRACE ME, Largo Film Awards), Best Short Film (ONLY THE LONELY, Melbourne Short Film Festival) and a Commendation for Vision and Contribution to Cinema (PORTRAIT, Experimental Forum). Her work also screened at BAFTA-qualifying Underwire Festival (London) and Melbourne Women in Film Festival. Her short films PORTRAIT and EMBRACE ME have distribution through Samsung TV’s short film channel.
Melissa-Kelly graduated from the University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Advanced Arts programme, with First Class Honours and a double major in English Literature and History. She followed this with a Diploma of Classical Acting from London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. She has several film and theatre projects in development, including her debut feature film and a cycle of political plays.
Physical Lab Summer Residency, Crete 2023. Photo by Anissa Bennacer.