Melissa has enjoyed an outstanding career as a dancer and performer for over twenty-five years. Fresh out of high school, she was cast for three years as a series regular on the NBC television series FAME. Following the series, she performed in David Bowie's GLASS SPIDER world tour, Cher's LOVE HURTS tour, two national equity Broadway tours of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and the LOS ANGELES CHAMBER BALLET.
Her films include RENT, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, HAUNTED MANSION, WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, THAT THING YOU DO, THE MASK, I'LL DO ANYTHING, FOR THE BOYS, MOBSTERS, THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY, RUNNING MAN and MY BLUE HEAVEN opposite Steve Martin. She was also featured in a now famous Tonight Show skit with Mr. Martin called THE GREAT FLYDINI. Television credits include: FAME (series regular), FAME LA, MATLOCK, COP ROCK, GAMBLER 4, LOVE AND WAR, COACH, 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, CINDERELLA, MRS. SANTA CLAUS, POLLY 2, BOB HOPE 90TH BIRTHDAY SPECIAL, THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW, 69TH AND 72ND ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, GRAMMY AWARDS, COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, AND MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
Melissa's various video appearances include: SMASH MOUTH's number one hit Walking on the Sun, DAVID BOWIE, JANET JACKSON, LIONEL RICHIE, GLEN FREY, NATALIE COLE, JULIO IGLESIAS, ALICE COOPER and REBA MCENTIRE just to name a few.
As a natural extension of her talents, Melissa began choreographing and teaching. One of her memorable films was SHAKES THE CLOWN, where she enjoyed choreographing Robin Williams as a mime and Bobcat Goldthwait as a clown. Melissa choreographed several episodes and videos for the ABC series LAST MAN STANDING and ABC Family sitcom RUBY AND THE ROCKITS. Melissa was assistant choreographer on the national equity tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
Melissa currently lives in Nashville with her husband Patrick Cassidy, who is the Artistic Director of STUDIO TENN, a regional equity theatre company. She choreographs many productions and is on faculty at the NASHVILLE BALLET.
RENT, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Mask, That Thing You Do