Melinda Cooper and Kate Brennan

Melinda Cooper is a proud member of the Shakespeare in Prisons Network and co-producer of the International Shakespeare in Prisons Conference. She is Program Director of Words Alive, a nonprofit organization promoting literacy in San Diego, California, where she helps connect kids and families to the power of reading. Melinda has written several plays and trained as an actor at The University of Virginia. She is a mother, an abolitionist, and a poet who believes in the power of words to bring people and communities together.

Kate Brennan has created 5 musicals including The Infinity Trilogy, recipient of a 2021 MAP Grant. Her first book, elevated thoughts, was released with Literati Press and her Brennan & White musical ALiEN8 is available with YouthPlays. Her play What’s in Store is a semi-finalist for The O’Neill. Her writing has appeared in McSweeney’s (“21 best of ’21”), Dramatist, Howlround, and The New York Times. She is a member of The Dramatist Guild, AEA and VASTA. Kate holds an MFA from The University of Virginia and is Artistic Director of Ignition Arts.

Kate & Melinda are currently developing a collection of poetry that explores nurturing whilst on the brink called “MOM: Motherhood and Other Mayhem”.