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Home In the Harris Family Gallery A Brief History of Weathervane Playhouse Mission and Vision Statement For an Enjoyable Experience Board of Trustees and Staff Our Generous Donors Our Hardworking Volunteers Show your Support
Melanie YC Pepe
Director

Melanie YC Pepe is the Executive Artistic Director of Weathervane Playhouse, where she has proudly served for over 20 years. A graduate of Kent State University, Melanie continues to support her alma mater as a member of the School of Theatre and Dance Advisory Board. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). At Weathervane, Melanie produced over 100 plays and musicals and led the creation of four original feature films during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her directorial work spans stage and screen, with recent film directing credits including Judgement Call and My Cellphone Says You're My Soulmate. Her Weathervane direction includes the productions Jersey Boys, Something Rotten!, Matilda The Musical, Kinky Boots, Alias Grace, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Into the Woods, Doubt, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Santaland Diaries, Red, Peter and the Starcatcher, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Ordinary Days, among others. Melanie is a recipient of Weathervane's Board of Trustees Award, a graduate of Leadership Akron's 36th class, and a 2022 Morgan Impact Award honoree from Peg's Foundation for her contributions to arts and community leadership. As the director of Come from Away, Melanie brings a deep respect for community-centered storytelling and the power of human connection in times of crisis—values that resonate throughout the story of Gander and its unexpected guests. She is honored to bring this remarkable true story to life for Northeast Ohio audiences.

Melanie YC Pepe
Director

Melanie YC Pepe is the Executive Artistic Director of Weathervane Playhouse, where she has proudly served for over 20 years. A graduate of Kent State University, Melanie continues to support her alma mater as a member of the School of Theatre and Dance Advisory Board. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). At Weathervane, Melanie produced over 100 plays and musicals and led the creation of four original feature films during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her directorial work spans stage and screen, with recent film directing credits including Judgement Call and My Cellphone Says You're My Soulmate. Her Weathervane direction includes the productions Jersey Boys, Something Rotten!, Matilda The Musical, Kinky Boots, Alias Grace, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Into the Woods, Doubt, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Santaland Diaries, Red, Peter and the Starcatcher, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Ordinary Days, among others. Melanie is a recipient of Weathervane's Board of Trustees Award, a graduate of Leadership Akron's 36th class, and a 2022 Morgan Impact Award honoree from Peg's Foundation for her contributions to arts and community leadership. As the director of Come from Away, Melanie brings a deep respect for community-centered storytelling and the power of human connection in times of crisis—values that resonate throughout the story of Gander and its unexpected guests. She is honored to bring this remarkable true story to life for Northeast Ohio audiences.