About Me
Theater and Media Artist
My work has been seen across the country and abroad.
Acting credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Sophocles' Electra in Delphi; Cloud Nine; The Cherry Orchard; Big River; She Haw. Directing credits include Where I'm From (television); Secret Lives (new media); Out of the Dark (new media); An Evening with Stephen Schwartz; Suddenly Last Summer; The Median; Madama Butterfly; Die Fledermaus; Cabaret; As You Like It; Cyrano; Big River
Creative Program Director
I create, curate and facilitate arts programs
for audiences of all ages.
NewStages, a theater company for seniors;
ARTreach; SCV Theater Project; Belmont Village Westwood; Living Out; Appalachian Children's Theater; EngAGE; University of Virginia; College of the Canyons
Writer
Award winning film, Ladies Most Deject
Sissified, Growing up Gay in Appalachia
Arts and Aging
Firecracker, a Play
Where I'm From, web series
Mysteries of Appalachia, pilot
Media
NewStages, a Senior Theater Company
Since 2012, NewStages has reached thousands of older persons with performances, workshops, classes, and arts events. Our LGBTQ+troupe was featured in the City of West Hollywpod's One City One Pride Arts Festival 2011 - 2022. As director of the program, Mark Salyer says, "The power of the arts to change lives is extraordinary. We've created a community at NewStages."
Mysteries of Appalachia, a documentary
A documentary exploring the mysticism of the Appalachian culture - snake handlers, faith healings, granny witches and the spirit world. Directed by Mark Salyer and Produced by Melissa Palmer and Mark Salyer.
Newstages at LA LGBT Center
Mark Salyer, director, leading participants in a rehearsal for the upcoming Pride performance at the Renberg Theater
ARTreach Summer Residency
Each Summer, Appalachian Children's Theater collaborates with ARTreach to produce summer residencies in the mountains of Virginia. Hundreds of students age 7 - 21 have been mentored by teaching artists from Broadway, Film and Television.