https://melissacrabtreeactor.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570314807990-NAYY7BHFF31FOBBQ0U23/IMG_3515.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570319269105-6PFSKQ4FXT5E80J1G98M/IMG_3517.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570320227157-S02H8DXMNGZLZPPURUAL/IMG_3520.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570320674911-3CC0OI7AVVLZA2W4JPH8/IMG_3522.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570326734522-XU9OAODJBXG6T0VCLYEZ/IMG_3524.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/86984b40-62cd-456b-838d-e4c2dd07f56a/IMG_9684.jpg Home - Fall 2023 Melissa was the female swing for Northbrook TYA’s production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (and Performed as the Bus Driving Bus Driver!) from November 18th - December 2nd, 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/569c3920-ae53-4250-83b2-7bb269ca63fd/PROM_title_only.jpeg Home - Fall 2023 Melissa was a guest artist in Dominican University’s production of The Pro,. She taught the world about the power of Zazz as Angie, from November 10th - 12th, 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/e2fd45fc-7346-4189-8f6b-bf167a140cd4/AvenueQActI_Selects_HiRes_817A0285.jpg Home - Spring 2023 Melissa appeared as Lucy the Slut, Mrs. Thisletwat, and a Bad Idea Bear in Music Theatre Works’ production of Avenue Q running from March 9th - April 2nd 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/c9241ed2-683f-4591-883b-9529df4b6da9/Screen+Shot+2022-10-24+at+5.39.19+PM.jpg Home - Holiday 2022 Melissa appeared as Mother in A Christmas Story from November 25th - December 10th at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero, IL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1666196131679-7XVF2VOV6XPSZ2XXKKWX/Metropolis-Cabaret-2022-9435.jpg Home - Fall 2022 Melissa appeared as Fräulein Kost in Cabaret (and learned to play the accordion to boot!) from September 15th - October 22nd at Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights, IL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/28218ca5-a465-4160-9e59-2f4362468ddb/296173346_5438458136241693_6740969441681895731_n.jpeg Home - Summer 2022 Melissa was the Director & Choreographer of Schaumburg Summer Theatre’s Production of “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, IL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1573427019732-3706H0HU9H6NFPB1STNW/santa.jpg Home - Holidays, 2021 Melissa joined her actor husband, Jon for their 9th season as Mr and Mrs Claus at Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake running November 26th-December 24th, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1637001920834-5PMFK2MOUWZ34WNHQPI7/chiquitta.jpeg Home - Fall, 2021 Melissa was a guest artist in Dominican University’s production of Mamma Mia. She strutted across the stage as Tanya, from November 12th - 21st, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/99dab369-1ea8-4835-b878-65d411a0cb81/IMG_1035.jpg Home - Holidays, 2020 In 2020, Melissa and her husband, Jon, built a virtual experience in their own living room, bubbled with two other actors for the elves and launched - Tales from the Chair a virtual 20 minute interactive play performed over zoom to 500 families across the USA and Canada. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570248181154-VWGQB7LRUV7RT6IUPX9W/Melissa.Crabtree.Headshot.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/8b41024a-9dd9-4291-b59d-8ba9c25ed9eb/Screen+Shot+2024-08-06+at+12.11.59+AM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1637001920834-5PMFK2MOUWZ34WNHQPI7/chiquitta.jpeg Home - Tanya - Mamma Mia - Dominican University Guest Artist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1666196131679-7XVF2VOV6XPSZ2XXKKWX/Metropolis-Cabaret-2022-9435.jpg Home - Fräulein Kost - Cabaret - Metropolis PAC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570326012949-NNJEQ7VUDMKD9HE2LVQD/forum_19%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg Home - Domina - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Metropolis Performing Arts - Summer 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1666196073555-ON2SV72QQ1UK4MB9FL0M/Metropolis-Cabaret-2022_2-9312edit.jpeg Home - Fräulein Kost - Cabaret - Metropolis PAC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325882657-5937XEU5SI536QEVR5S5/santa.jpg Home - Mrs. Claus - Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325884494-XACVMS8P7ESA6UREH7PQ/south+pacific+low.jpg Home - Ensign - South Pacific Music Theatre Works https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570249967831-2T0OEAIB1MVE6X4AUPHN/forum_156+%281+of+1%29.jpg Home - Domina - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325882701-44436608VEDXGHH0ZMH6/pirates+of+pENZANCE.jpg Home - Mabel - The Pirates of Penzance Tall Ship Windy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325879431-NF1QGHC91LI72CWAVYE1/all+shook+up.jpg Home - Natalie - All Shook Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1637001939172-X5O3V0RD4TYY8HAJ8I7Q/does+your+mother+know.jpeg Home - Tanya - Mamma Mia - Dominican University Guest Artist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325887109-2KDUL7L5FBFRP8P0AHXL/tall+tales.jpg Home - Annie Oakley - Great American Tall Tales TYA School Tour https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570249978664-O7TUCUX91Q43FGZ6SH1E/forum_159+%281+of+1%29.jpg Home - Domina - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1618551597908-IVXE5GX0EGXUDVD6KO1U/IMG_0895.JPG Home - Mrs. Claus - Tales from the Chair https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325880531-3A7U87NYDF10EFBTABCX/pirates+of+penzance+2.jpg Home - Mabel - The Pirates of Penzance Tall Ship Windy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/29a16399-3de7-4e10-9b5c-b57723ef223f/Metropolis-Cabaret-2022-9322.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570322560188-4RTZF48J8AYJE6L7RGHL/forum_162+%281+of+1%29.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570324678507-75NE3JD8M98CT4SSDLFQ/Hairspray-3.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570325771042-I63YRVFVOQFXMBSMP1PP/guys+and+dolls.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/64e89cd5-8e36-49b0-8d2c-8bb5971539d1/AvenueQActI_Selects_HiRes_817A0285.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/8dcaea64-8594-4f21-8c61-7cff799e3110/AvenueQActIWide_Selects_HiRes_1F4A0178.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/e53176e4-5fe4-4cae-b96e-b7f90d227382/9to5MusicalImage-800x450.png Home - Spring 2024 Melissa appeared as Violet Newstead in Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of 9 to 5! Running May 4th through May 26th. (Seen in Purple with a Brunette Wig in the Video below!) https://melissacrabtreeactor.com/contact-me daily 0.75 2019-10-06 https://melissacrabtreeactor.com/2021-before daily 0.75 2024-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1573427019732-3706H0HU9H6NFPB1STNW/santa.jpg 2021 & Before - Light Up The Lake - Actor - Holiday 2021 Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake running November 26th-December 24th, 2021. Melissa joined her actor husband, Jon for their 9th season as Mr and Mrs Claus. Improv at it finest - creating scenes, memories, character work, and performance stamina for 7 hours at a time surrounded by some of the best Improv Actors in Chicago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/8c46ae18-ed2e-4ddb-83f3-a97ec215219a/IMG_5819.JPG 2021 & Before - Shrek the Musical - Choreographer & Lighting Designer - December 2021 Shrek - The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs - December 10th - 19th, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1637001920834-5PMFK2MOUWZ34WNHQPI7/chiquitta.jpeg 2021 & Before - Mamma Mia - Actor - Fall 2021 Melissa was a guest artist in Dominican University’s production of “Mamma Mia”. She strutted across the stage as Tanya, from November 12th - 21st, 2021. This production brought together two of my greatest passions - creating laughter onstage & building community offstage. By mentoring and investing in the college students by working side by side and leading by example on the qualities of work ethic, joy, and embodying the phrase “work hard, play hard”. We laughed, we stretched our creative muscles (and I got to wear 12 spectacular costumes!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/2eb2b68e-90bd-4a61-ac3c-22ba53a0a45f/IMG_5825.jpg 2021 & Before - Director/Lighting Designer - Summer 2021 Director/Lighting Designer - The Little Mermaid Jr. The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs 3 separate productions in the same summer! Also - Lighting Designer - Something Rotten - same theatre, same summer! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/7018d16c-7992-444b-acca-ac8b55196be0/IMG_0895.jpg 2021 & Before - Tales from the Chair - Actor & Producer - Holiday 2020 In 2020, Melissa and her husband, Jon, built a virtual experience in their own living room, bubbled with two other actors for the elves and launched - Tales from the Chair a virtual 20 minute interactive play performed over zoom to 500 families across the USA and Canada. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/111e84ce-dd46-420e-8919-ae27099322d0/IMG_5823.JPG 2021 & Before - Director/Choreographer/ Lighting Designer - Summer 2019 Director/Lighting Designer - Frozen Jr. Director/Lighting Designer - Peter Pan Jr. Choreographer/Lighting Designer - Footloose (seen here) at The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/7ee35f5f-62ef-4ebf-9f1a-82001a3218ea/DK2A8581.jpg 2021 & Before - Urinetown - Costume Designer - Summer 2019 Urinetown - Schaumburg Summer Theatre at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1570249978664-O7TUCUX91Q43FGZ6SH1E/forum_159+%281+of+1%29.jpg 2021 & Before - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Actor - Spring/Summer 2019 Performing at Metropolis Performing Arts Center from May 16th - June 29th, 2019. “Melissa Crabtree uses her incredible and athletic voice to great comic effect as Domina throughout, but especially when holding an impossibly long note at the beginning of “That Dirty Old Man.” Crabtree’s performance highlights what is perhaps the biggest flaw of the play: it could use more Domina.” - Erin Fleming www.chicagolandmusicaltheatre.com https://melissacrabtreeactor.com/upcoming-copy daily 0.75 2024-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/e53176e4-5fe4-4cae-b96e-b7f90d227382/9to5MusicalImage-800x450.png Upcoming (Copy) - 9 to 5 - Actor Violet Newstead in Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of 9 to 5! May 4th - May 26th, 2024 (Seen in Purple with a Brunette Wig in the Video below!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/f79aef64-1318-464b-bd2d-ff87d509a7b0/IMG_5398.JPG Upcoming (Copy) - Avenue Q - Actor Lucy the Slut/Mrs. T/a moving box in Williams Street Repertory Theatre’s production of Avenue Q. Performed at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake. September 13th - October 20th 2024 “Melissa Crabtree is a seductive, vampy Lucy and domineering Mrs. T; another amazing singer, her vocals are simply stunning, only matched by her physical expression and movements, especially with Lucy.” - Regina Belt-Daniels - Shaw Local https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/1b0e80bb-bd7e-4432-b82e-99fd641601f0/asu+-+cmon.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - All Shook Up - Director/Choreographer All Shook Up with Schaumburg Summer Theatre at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts. July 26th - August 4th, 2024 (I also did all of their graphic design & video editing for the production as well - See video below!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/86984b40-62cd-456b-838d-e4c2dd07f56a/IMG_9684.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus - Actor Female Swing (Understudy for 3 different actors) Northbrook TYA’s production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (and Performed as the Bus Driving Bus Driver!). November 18th - December 2nd, 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/cac38459-9824-455c-8355-1140141804f7/hello+dolly+-+red.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - Hello, Dolly! - Choreographer/Costume Designer Hello, Dolly! with Schaumburg Summer Theatre at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts. July 28th - August 5th, 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/e2fd45fc-7346-4189-8f6b-bf167a140cd4/AvenueQActI_Selects_HiRes_817A0285.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - Avenue Q - Actor Lucy the Slut, Mrs. Thisletwat, and a Bad Idea Bear in Music Theatre Works’ production of Avenue Q. March 9th - April 2nd 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/29a16399-3de7-4e10-9b5c-b57723ef223f/Metropolis-Cabaret-2022-9322.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - Cabaret - Actor Fräulein Kost in Cabaret (and learned to play the accordion to boot!) Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights, IL September 15th - October 22nd, 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d33d429c88e4e00019dba95/570b2dd0-5da0-4266-86e0-96164040ebfd/spongebob+-+mountain.jpg Upcoming (Copy) - Director/Choreographer - The SpongeBob Musical Director & Choreographer of Schaumburg Summer Theatre’s Production of “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, IL July 29th - August 7th, 2022