Melissa Noelle Green is a dynamic and creative educational leader who is recognized as one of the northwest’s culturally astute and inspiring word artists. Art lovers who have witnessed her performance have experienced first hand the power and clarity of her commanding presence.
Her debut book of poetry "My Soul Says Yes" was released in the year 2001 is evidence of the culturally instructive, dynamic and passionate articulation of her poetic thought and spoken word. She was immersed in the movement of young artists who held impromptu neighborhood competitions at school and house parties.
She was the 2006 director of the play (Movement) Hip Hop Back To Its Roots which premiered in Seattle Washington at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. The celebration that featured some of the most talented voices in the Pacific Northwest including guests appearances by Davey D, Spinderella and the brilliant Talib Kweli.
Melissa also is scheduled to direct another version of Hip Hop Back To Its Roots in 2008 "Levantate" Celebrating Hip Hop South of the Border, this play will explore the contributions and significant impact of the Latino culture and artists from North, Central and South America.
Melissa’s work has been featured In the Seattle PI and Seattle Times.
Education:
2006 Bachelor of Arts, Education – Antioch University Seattle
Web links:
www.melissanoellegreen.com
Television
2007 King 5, Morning News (Spoken Word Segment/Interview with Joyce Taylor)
Radio
2007 Educator/Poet K.K.N.W.
2007 Best Spoken Word Artist in the World, Guest K.U.B.E Radio
2006 Hip Hop Back To Its Roots, Discussion K.U.B.E. Radio
Panels/Workshops
2007 Artist Trust Literary Fellows Panel
2007 Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival, workshop on Spoken Word & Rhyming.
2007 Atlantic Street Center, workshop on Writing Poetry
Speaking Engagements
2007-2008 Helen Taylor Bush School, Diversity Series (Special Guest Performer)
Professional Performance History
2000 Performance Poetry, Book Signing. My Soul Says Yes – Garfield Center
2001 Health – Integrated Arts Workshops. Putting Us Back Together, Barnes and Noble.
2001 Guest Appearance, Black Book Plus Expo. Brooklyn New York
2002 Performance Poetry, Selected Works. Seattle Public Library
2003-2007 Festival Sundiata, Literary Coordinator
2003-2005 Actress, MAAFA. The Moore Theater, Seattle
2004 Actress, Moon on a rainbow shawl. UW Ethnic Cultural Theater, Seattle.
2005 Actress, MAAFA. St. Paul Community Baptist Church. Brooklyn New York
2005- Hostess. Verbal Rhythms Arts Collective, Open Mic. Langston Hughes Performance Arts Center
2005 Awarded Seattle Mayors Award for Excellence in Hip Hop/Spoken Word
2006 Guest Performer, Sistahood. Vancouver British Columbia, Canada.
2006 Guest Performer, Microsoft Black Leadership Gala, Redmond W.A.
2006 Poetry Slam Champion, Pacific Luther University. Tacoma, W.A.
2006 Writer/Director "Movement" Hip Hop Back To Its Roots, Langston Hughes Performing Arts, Seattle, W.A.
2007 Performance Poetry, Martin Luther King Celebration. Tacoma Dome
2007 Director/Actress, Susan Lori Parks 365 Days/365 Ways.
2007 Guest Hostess/Performer, KBCS Radio Bellevue WA
2007, Moderator NW Film Forum. Seattle
2007, Actress/Playwright. The Mahogany Project. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Seattle WA
2007 Voted top 20 best spoken word artists in the world, www.famecast.com
