Our People, Their Profile | Melissa Hunter, Prop Artisan

This season has been like no other. In order to help First Stage endure the devastating financial effects of COVID-19, we created the special relief initiative—the HOPE Fund. Donations to the HOPE Fund will Help Our People Engage, Enlighten, Entertain, and Educate by supporting the talented First Stage staff who provide HOPE for thousands of young people and families. All charitable gifts made to the HOPE Fund before June 30, 2021 will be matched 1-to-1, up to $50,000—thanks to another generous matching gift from the Molitor Foundation.

 

First Stage had the chance to catch up with our Prop Artisan, Melissa Hunter, to learn more about her First Stage story.

 

For the past five years, Melissa has been working in First Stage’s prop shop.

 

What do you do in the Prop Shop?

 

A lot! I build, paint, sculpt, and alter all of the props for our theater productions.

 

How has working at First Stage affected you?  

 

First Stage gave me my first professional job out of college, so it has been a great stepping-stone in my career. Working in props is the perfect combination of all of the art skills I have and enjoy doing.

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

 

I paint and do a lot of crafting for my own etsy store. You can find my handmade bracelets on First Stage Market on etsy.com.