Melody Ekstrom Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, IL

• Theatres Include: Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Waltzing Mechanics, Mamaí Company, Minnetrista Cultural Center
• Compose creative research that influences production choices and reflects tone of show
• Design lobby displays engaging audiences with world of play
• Write notes for production Playbills that reflect show’s tone, entertain, and inform
• Facilitate dialogue around new and established work with collaborators and patrons

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Proactively maintains current administrative records across company staffing and client contacts
• Deposits client funds, satisfies invoices, and updates Quickbooks records across 10+ clients
• Maintains supplies for in-office and offsite employees
• Coordinates client administrative services and supports events
• Builds positive client relationships through managing of phones across company clients
• Attends client board meetings and takes minutes

Chicago, Illinois

• Managed and prioritized consistent pipeline equaling millions in volume
• Protected company assets, addressing underwriting-related documentation and credit profile issues
• Demonstrated flexibility amidst changing company needs and evolving investor guidelines
• Offered interdepartmental solutions to ensure salability of loan
• Provided excellent customer service to loan originators amidst fast-paced, high-volume environment

• Reviewed AUS Findings to verify all applicable documentation has been gathered and addressed
• Managed revolving pipeline while working with team members to achieve team goals
• Kept up-to-date on company policies and procedures and investor needs

Chicago, Illinois

• Prepared and reviewed documents after signing to ensure they met investor standards
• Managed high-volume priority and maintained accuracy amidst changing investor needs
• Communicated with other departments to solve problems
• Trained new hires on departmental procedures

• Write script reports analyzing how scripts work and outlining strengths and weaknesses
• Champion scripts for further development

• Feature exciting titles and engage in book conversation through blog format

• Awarded Above and Beyond district recognition
• Booked 3 of 4 author appearances as co-lead for B-Fest, YA book festival, and executed event
• Co-ordinated holiday volunteers, maintaining relationships and reaching out to new organizations
• Developed content and built audiences for store specific social media pages
• Handled responsibilities of cash office, including daily deposits and corporate paperwork
• Trained and coached booksellers

• Built brand loyalty through excellent customer service and offering of saving programs
• Assisted customers in finding titles; put book in the customer's hand
• Merchandised stock to maximize sales

• Advocated for stand-out queries in agent inbox
• Read manuscripts of young adult and middle grade titles
• Provided comprehensive overview of manuscripts’ content and impact with reader reports

• Developed curriculum for ACT and SAT tutoring programs
• Monitored growth through practice tests and adapted to student's specific needs
• Improved high-performing stundents’ verbal scores from between 3-6 points
• Matched test questions with relevant standards through data entry

Kentland, IN

• Implemented K-12 lesson plans
• Managed classroom tasks
• Responsible for well being of upwards of 20 students at any given time

• developed and delivered pre-show conversations
• researched and wrote for digitally published InsideGuide
• served as assistant to the director, May Adrales, on Breath and Imagination
• read, evaluated, and responded to script submissions
• helped facilitate discussions at script club events in partner with the Cleveland Public Library
• assisted with InsideCPH engagement events

• Created dramaturgical packet for production of Pullman Porter Blues, directed by Chuck Smith
• Composed articles for the education department’s Pullman Porter Blues study guide
• Read, evaluated, and responded to script submissions
• Provided administrative support for Playwright’s Unit
• Transcribed interviews for physical and digital publication

Ball State University

• Theatre Aesthetics: Instructor, Michael O'Hara 2011-2013; Pre-Modern Theatre History: Instructor, Dr. Tyler Smith 2012-2013; History of Acting and Directing: Instructor, Jennifer Blackmer 2012
• Graded script analysis projects and production critiques
• Attended class and answered questions regarding projects
• Led review sessions

Kentland, IN

• Provided circulation services, collected fees, shelved books, and researched titles
• Assisted with children's programs
• Established social media presence and wrote articles for local paper
• Processed and repaired library materials
• Called patrons weekly to update on overdue status and offer renewals

• Developed information on tea party etiquette in partner with Faeries, Sprites, and Lights event
• Assembled initial research for fall exhibit on manners