After 25 years of teaching theatre—while taking on more than half a dozen roles at UPrep—educator Meleesa Wyatt retired in June. A professional actor who had previously taught at another private school, she realized our community was the place for her while co-teaching one class. While Meleesa is a fierce advocate for the arts and for every student she works with, co-workers also describe her as funny, wise, and full of heart. “She leaves an impressive legacy in Middle School theatre. Meleesa thinks deeply about the experiences of her students, teaching them skills that start on stage and go into their everyday lives. We will miss her at UPrep,” said Head of Upper School Susie Wu.

Co-worker and Dance Teacher Jess Klein, who shared a tiny office with Meleesa in the Fine Arts basement for 16 years, has relished collaborating with her. “She has a way with words. Meleesa can say things with the clearest, most direct voice,” said Jess. “One of the principles I’ve seen her impress upon students during the 6th grade Fine Arts Rotation class is ‘You are an artist. You have the capacity already inside of you. It’s not something you have to step into— you are already an artist.’”

In her own voice, Meleesa shares the lessons she’s learned over the years as a part of the UPrep community.

1. Find a Place Where You Can Grow

"For my first few years, I co-taught one theatre class. Once I realized this was the place for me, I took on many roles: advisor to Middle School students, student government advisor, 6th grade Fine Arts Rotation class teacher, UPrep’s Service Program coordinator, and coordinator of Week Without Walls, an experiential learning week. When my co-teacher left, I became the Middle School fine arts teacher. When I started, UPrep was a small town—you knew everybody, and everybody did everything. It was communal and it was growing and vital and exciting. The fact that we were building a fine arts building was thrilling. Working here was an opportunity for me to do what I am good at, which is teaching theatre.”

2. There's No Secret

“I watched UPrep’s first dance teacher, Alia Swersky, teach from my desk, as my office adjoins the dance studio. She approached the students not as if you have to learn how to do this, but you can do this, you are doing this, you know how to do this. It was never something that was held like a secret. Like if you do exactly what I say, I’ll give you access to the secret. The assumption and the approach were: you’re already there. I thought, ‘Oh, can I do that? Can I help kids not worry or fret?’ The students often say, ‘Oh, I’m not very good at that,’ or ‘I can’t.’ And I say, ’I know. You can feel that way and we are going to get there. You are going to be amazing on stage.’ I start from, ‘You absolutely can do this, and you will do this.’ Approaching my students this way really upped the quality of the work coming from the stage.” 

3. Don't Underestimate Middle School Students

"They are capable of so much. Middle School students have so much energy and passion. It’s been a mission of mine to find good, solid material for them to work on. They can do Shakespeare; they can do anything. We have performed a lot of off-beat plays and made strong, beautiful work. I find plays that have substantial parts for everyone in class. Through this process, students recognize their own capabilities. Each student learns that they can rise to the occasion and excel at something they didn’t know how to do on the first day of class.”

4. Theatre Is Fun

"I have the best time in class. Students are invested. I really love that I have a nice mix of repeat customers and students who have never taken theatre before. The repeat students take on a leadership role with the other students. It’s collaborative: the cast gives me the best ideas. They ask me questions and vistas open. Just this week, I walked into class not knowing how the students should perform a song. I was honest and asked for the kids’ help. By the end of the class period, we had a choreographed song. For me, I’m glad to not have to be the Wizard of Oz. There’s a group energy that I love. I’m a born collaborator.”

5. The Fine Arts Program at UPrep Is a Unique Gift

“Our students have art in their schedule every day, and that is unique. The students have a broad and deep exposure to many disciplines here, in the arts and in all the disciplines taught here. The breadth and depth of our graduates’ interests and accomplishments are extraordinary.” ■