By: Kerrick Shaw
From ballet dancing to “My Heart Will Go On,” to starring in a Eugene-O’Neill-written play, Pittsburgh’s 2024 Performer of the Year has always been a star.
GS graduate and Point Park University alum Melessie Clark was named the 40th annual Performer of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for her work in Pittsburgh-produced plays in 2024.
Clark starred as Josie in A Moon for the Misbegotten, a story of love and redemption written by O’Neill, and Elizabeth Darcy in The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, a play celebrating forgiveness by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon.
Clark as Elizabeth Darcy in The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.
Photo Courtesy: Jan Hoover
“Being named performer of the year is an accomplishment I’m still taking in,” she said. “It means so much because I believe it’s a culmination of years of work. It’s one of those things where you say, ‘oh, how nice would that be.’ And, because it wasn’t something I was necessarily aiming for, it just means that much more.”
Past performers acknowledged by the Post-Gazette include Billy Porter, Wali Jamal and Monteze Freeland, all of whom shine a light for her on the influence she can have on her audience. She described the recognition of her work in doing what she loves as “priceless.”
“In this career, there’s moments that prove to you that, ‘oh, I think that I can actually do this,’” she said. “Most recently, I got to do a Eugene O’Neill play which was an incredible highlight, getting to tackle that kind of material. It was really nice getting to dig my teeth into a play with heavy themes like that.”
Clark as Josie in A Moon for the Misbegotten.
Photo Courtesy: Beth Barbis
She found her way into performing through dance, having taken lessons at Darlene’s Dance Company, a Greensburg studio, when she was 10 years old, eventually moving onto Sandra Lynn’s. She explained she “couldn’t wait” to be in high school and to be a part of GS’ musicals, Bye Bye Birdie being one of the productions that sparked this flame.
“I don’t think he’s there any longer, but Dr. Orange, who taught choir, was really my entry point into theater,” she said. “Mr. Lenzi also played a pivotal role in me appreciating writing when it comes to theater and literature in general. He introduced us to excellent playwrights and writers, like Lorraine Hansberry. I think my favorite memory was getting to cold read A Raisin in the Sun in class; I really think that was the start of me exercising my cold-reading-skills for auditions.”
Ms. Maurissa Auer, who was a junior when Clark was a freshman, performed with her on two musicals for the school: Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hello, Dolly! Ms. Auer explained that Clark “always gave it her all” regardless of what part she was playing, also adding that she had a “powerful personality.”
“Melessie always stood out; she was such an outgoing kid who lit up any room she was in,” Mr. Mark Zahorchak, who taught Law and Economics her senior year, said. “You never know how far a student is going to take it, but I’m not at all surprised with what she has accomplished. She and her brother are two of the best to come through here; they’re just great people.”
Some GS students, like senior Declan Joseph, have seen her perform live and have even met her. Joseph stated that her stage presence was “really exciting to watch.”
On top of acting in musicals, as well as in multiple TV series, she has modeled for brands such as Macy’s and Gabe’s; she has done runway shows in collaboration with local Pittsburgh artists; hosted two red carpet events; done voiceover work for companies like Sheetz; judged pageant competitions and much more.
“The first time I really got to step into a lead role was my senior year when we did Sweet Charity,” she said. “I researched the musical and wanted to be Charity so badly, so I prepared and auditioned. All of those skills that I learned really prepared me for my future.”
After being named Performer of the Year, next up for Clark is a new musical production this spring at the Public Theater in Manhattan titled Goddess. The Public Theater has been the home of various musicals that have made it to Broadway, such as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton and, more recently, Hell’s Kitchen by Alicia Keys.
“I hope everyone knows their dreams are possible,” Clark said. “If I can do it, you can too. Don’t be afraid to ask, don’t be afraid of feedback from your mentors and peers. That is the core of growing and moving forward. Keep dreaming big.”
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