Lee Melillo (they/she) is a neurodivergent writer, director, producer, literary assistant, and occasional fifth thing (depends on the day) whose work explores mental illness and neurodiversity, gender and sexuality, and classism and elitism—but, like, with jokes?
Her writing has been developed and presented by The Tank (Readings, 2023/2024), TheaterLab (Reading, 2023), The Chain (One-Act Fest, 2022), Breaking & Entering (PEA Fest, 2022), and Fordham University (COLLAB Fest, 2021/2022). She’s directed at TheaterLab, Under St. Marks, Mai House Studio, Fordham University, and The Maker’s Space; she’s assistant/associate directed for Ryan Dobrin, Alicia Dhyana House, and Kaylie Groff.
Lee co-founded Personal Pizza Party (3P), an NYC-based theatre company, in 2023, and serves as Executive Artistic Director. 3P is dedicated to facilitating community, creativity, and fun amongst emerging artists.
She graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a BA in English and Theatre Directing. Lee is originally from New Haven, CT, where she attended Hopkins School thanks to the support of her parents and a local billionaire, who determined she was a Good Poor™ and therefore deserved a scholarship.
Lee recently joined Dunham Literary as their literary assistant, where she is able to pursue her lifelong dream of reading books for a job. Previously, she worked as a paralegal, a mega Times Square restaurant hostess, a garden store manager, a museum docent, and more. She’s particularly passionate about dismantling class privilege in creative fields, and vocally advocates for increased awareness of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other stigmatized mental disorders.
here’s what i’ve been listening to…
& here are a few of my favorite things…
