Melissa R. DuPrey

"I needed an escape from just about everything. Acting was my way"​

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Melissa Rae DuPrey was born in Chicago in 1985 to two Puerto Rican athletes that loved and participated actively in their community of Humboldt Park. She starred in her first play at Casa Central, and fell in love with theatre ever since. She stayed involved in the arts through commercial work and dance groups.  In 1992, the wave of gang violence and crime in the city was enough to persuade her mother to relocate. After several months of traveling around the country in search for a new home, they settled in Houston, TX where Melissa would continue her studies in the arts.  She remained active and held titles in theatre, dance, and spanish organizations throughout Junior high, high school, and college. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with two degrees; Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre and Spanish Literature. 

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But violence continued to be a recurring element. In her senior year of college, her home was invaded by 3 armed men in masks while she and her mother where home. The experience was so devastating and traumatic, it was the catalyst to a series of life changing events. In spite of the tragic incident, she graduated shortly after and returned to Chicago to join the all-Latina theatre company, Teatro Luna. She was first cast in The North/South Plays, an incubator series at the Chicago Cultural Center co-produced by Teatro Luna and Mortar Theatre Company. She continued with the project inherited by Teatro Luna as Rita in the world premier of Crossed at the Viaduct Theatre.  Her TL credits also include  PUTAS! (Daniela), Not Your Generic Latina (multiple roles), and Generation Sex (self). Her one-woman show, SEXomedy, was developed during TL's series of One Night Stands that showcases women of color in the arts. Her self-produced one-woman show is now Chicago Reader Recommended and part of MPAACT's series of Extended Solo Jams.

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Ms. DuPrey is also a comedian that has performed in various venues throughout Chicago, and is very proud to have her start with Mikey O Productions in sold-out houses at Joe's on Weed St. As a comic, she has also worked with the most talented, up-and-coming, and seasoned comedians in the city. 

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As a musician and active member of her community, she is dedicated to the preservation of Puerto Rican culture by way of the folkloric music, Bomba y Plena. She strongly believes she has been given a second chance at life to tell the stories of female rebellion, humor, survival, and the tenacity of the human spirit. She is blessed to have the continuous support of her family, friends, peers, and community members. She hopes to continue creating and producing projects that fuse elements of theatrical story-telling with stand-up comedy in a performance arts center dedicated to developing, housing, and facilitating the performances of local talent.

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