Who we are

Theatre Across Borders creates theatre in unexpected places throughout the Pikes Peak region in order to connect, inspire, and grow together.

Theatre Across Borders employs local artists for shows and teaching artist that work in the schools.

Melissa O’Rear (Executive Director) is a theatre educator, teaching artist, director and actor. As a trained actor and singer from Lawrence University, she spent many years performing in Chicago. During that time, she discovered her love for theatre education and has spent 20 years creating safe spaces for artists of all ages to take creative risks. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Theatre from New York University. Her greatest passion is arts integration where the intersection of arts and various subject areas can compliment each other.

Melissa has taught in NYC, Chicago, and locally, in D11 and at The Colorado Springs School. She has worked with the Millibo Art Theatre, Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Stars & Moon Music Theatre, Theatreworks, the Fine Arts Center, Counterweight Theatre Lab and the Colorado Springs Conservatory. Melissa is an adjunct faculty member at UCCS where she teaches arts integration to elementary education majors and is currently the Program Manager of Education at the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.