Melissa Shaffer (Director) has retired back to her hometown and childhood home of Bowling Green after spending 30+ years on the East Coast teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, teaching American Sign Language, or working as a certified ASL interpreter with a specialization in Artistic Theatrical Interpreting. She started her career teaching and directing children’s theatre after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Theatre from BGSU. Then she discovered American Sign Language and decided a slightly different career path. Melissa received training from the National Theatre of the Deaf and worked in the capacity of either interpreting, acting, teaching or consulting with various theatres. She has been fortunate to share the stage as an interpreter with The Temptations, Holly Near, Garth Brooks, Tony Morrison, etc. productions of Les Miserable, Tartuffe, Jesus Christ Superstar, Noises Off, and many more. Her Master of Science degree is from the University of Rochester, NY in Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children k-12. Since moving back to BG, she has greatly enjoyed returning to her original passion of community and children’s theatre. Melissa has directed for Black Swamp Players (Clue: The Musical), Issue Box Theatre (Every Brilliant Thing), The Toledo Repertoire Youth Theatre (30 Reasons Not to be In a Play) and The Cocoon (I Take the Stand Before I Dream). She has been on local stages acting in productions with Owens Community College Theatre Dept and Lakeside Theatre of Toledo, but is most comfortable in the role of teacher or director. She recently accepted the responsibility of coordinating the Toledo Rep’s Toledo Voices project. Melissa is thrilled to be retired and able to find time to also volunteer with Hospice, Good Grief and foster for special needs dog rescue organizations, as well as, take care of her own two deaf dogs.

Emily is a “Townie” growing up in Bowling Green. She was involved in BG High School Drama program helping with lights and sound. Emily was also involved with Horizon Youth Theatre for several years. This is her second show with Black Swamp Players, recently having worked on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night. She would like to thank her supportive family and the wonderful cast of Not Quite Gone.