Pamplin professor recognized for creating lasting impacts in community

Melanie Kitchens O’Meara, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Art & Design in the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, was honored late last year with the Leslie Irene Coger Award, a prestigious national recognition from the National Communication Association that celebrates the transformative power of performance studies.

The award highlights the far-reaching impact of O’Meara’s contributions to both performance and community-building, which extends well beyond the classroom at Augusta University and is now recognized on a national level.

O’Meara’s career is a master class in connecting the worlds of performance and community, a commitment that resonates deeply with the essence of the Leslie Irene Coger Award. Her passion for making performance studies accessible and impactful extends beyond the classroom at AU to the broader Central Savannah River Area, leaving a lasting imprint on both students and the local community.

“I am not surprised that Dr. O’Meara has won the Leslie Irene Coger Award. It is a recognition of the many outstanding live performances she has brought to life and her amazing work with students,” said Kim Davies, PhD, dean of Pamplin College. “I have seen several performances she has directed, as well as work that she has helped students to develop, and I am always blown away. The details of the performances are amazing, from the costumes to every movement, and every line keeps me enthralled and entertained. More importantly, she engages her students and pushes them to grow. Her passion and energy are contagious: she makes a difference.”

At the heart of O’Meara’s work is a philosophy of connection. She’s led the charge in taking Theatre AUG, Augusta University’s theater and performance program, into the community. Through partnerships with schools across the CSRA, O’Meara and her students have introduced young audiences to the magic of live performance. Whether it’s teaching fifth graders about voice and movement or involving local children in productions like Charlotte’s Web, O’Meara’s initiatives spark creativity in communities where access to the arts is often limited.

“Limitation breeds creativity,” O’Meara said, emphasizing how adversity sparks her team’s ingenuity. “Limitations encourage people to lean on one another and think outside the box to find alternative approaches to making work. It’s in the process of making that the learning happens. The community building portion of this equation is what I think is most important to the work I’ve had the opportunity to do here at AU. I’m beyond grateful to my community for the work we’ve been able to create together over the years. I could not have made these works without the dedication of our many students and my colleague Doug Joiner.”

That philosophy is a cornerstone of her work in performance studies. Instead of seeing obstacles as barriers, she treats them as catalysts for innovation. This perspective has not only shaped her artistic vision but also inspired her team to push the boundaries of performance.

O’Meara’s dedication to community building became even more vital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As theaters closed and public gatherings came to a halt, O’Meara showcased remarkable innovation by taking Theatre AUG productions outdoors. One standout example was Metaphysique D’Ephemera, staged outside the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. The Theatre AUG team transformed the vast outdoor space into an immersive theater experience, blending large-scale visual art, projected films and bold performances. Despite the challenges — rehearsing in masks, managing sunset lighting and moving heavy equipment daily — the production was a resounding success, offering much-needed connection and creativity during a time of isolation.

Her influence extends beyond the stage. O’Meara’s impact on her students is profound, shaping their academic and professional trajectories. O’Meara’s students don’t just learn theory, they collaborate with her on original productions, stage adaptations of novels and community-engagement projects. This hands-on approach instills a sense of ownership and pride while teaching them how performance can be a powerful tool for storytelling and advocacy.

The Leslie Irene Coger Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the transformative power of performance studies, and O’Meara is a true embodiment of this ideal. By bridging the gap between academia and the community, she has enriched both, leaving a profound impact. Through her innovative productions, unwavering commitment to mentorship and dedication to accessible art, O’Meara demonstrates that performance has the power to inspire, unite and drive lasting change, making a meaningful impact on both local and national levels.