Two Directors at Work

John Jay's
Thespians #3172

Melissa Hart

Meet the Drama Department Staff

More about Melissa Hart

I grew up in a small town in the Ozark Mountains called Mountain Home, Arkansas. Graduating third in my class of 42 in 1989, I went to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. In 1995 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a double major in English and Speech/Theatre Arts. Returning to my alma mater, I taught the 9th and 10th grade English courses for one year before coming to San Antonio and beginning my time at John Jay High School in 1998.

Initially I taught the speech, debate, public speaking, and oral interpretation courses in addition to taking over as UIL academic coordinator. As luck would have it, the director position came open and I was given the opportunity to take over the Drama department. I have since taught Technical Theatre Arts 1-4 as well as Theatre Arts 1-4. I spent one year as the Fine Arts coordinator, and have continued to teach speech at both NISD summer school and NISD Evening High School over the years. In the fall of 2000 I began working on my graduate degree with the University of Phoenix Online. Two years later I graduated with my Master of Arts in Education degree with a focus in Curriculum and Technology.

And the rest, as they say, is history! Over the years I have come to love the students, the work and this school very much. I find the talent here amazing and I look forward to many years to come!

Mr. Cody Eoff- Technical Director

For the past seven years, I have been teaching Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, and Communication Applications (Speech) at both Sonora High School and Sandra Day O’Connor High School. Now I am a proud member of the John Jay Theatre Department. Over the years I have served as One-Act Play director, Speech and Debate coach, U.I.L. Coordinator, and Drama Club sponsor. As a director, I have taken four plays to the Regional Level and Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson to the State Level in 2002 for the U.I.L.’s One-Act Play Contest. During my OAP career, I am proud to say that I have been judged and advanced by two very big names in the U.I.L. office, Mr. Lynn Murray and Mr. Luis Muñoz.

A graduate of both Early High School and Howard Payne University, I received my Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in theatre and a speech communications minor. I have always wanted to be a stage actor; however, once I got into the classroom, I realized that my calling was actually in directing. I have directed many shows in my educational career including some community theatre while in Sonora and Brownwood. Some of my favorite directorial choices include: Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, The Diviners by Jim Leonard, Jr., All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Laundry and Bourbon by James McClure, and of course Marvin’s Room.