Melonnie Walker

Melonnie Walker first joined KC Melting Pot Theatre in 2017 as the company’s resident research and production dramaturg. She is a theatre historian, dramaturg and arts administrator whose work centers on preserving and interpreting Black theatrical legacy. She earned her Master of Arts in Theatre History from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where her research focused on the historical and cultural impact of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle.

Melonnie is a Board Member of The August Wilson Society, and a contributing author to August Wilson in Context (Cambridge University Press), where her chapter examines the oral traditions embedded within Wilson’s work and their role in preserving Black cultural memory. She is an active member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and has served as Regional Vice President, supporting members across Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

Melonnie is also the Regional Coordinator for the Next Narrative® Monologue Competition, where she is committed to uplifting the next generation of storytellers and artist activists. Through workshops, mentorship, and national exposure, she helps young artists develop their voices and imagine new possibilities for their impact on the world through art.