Melissa Ruge is an LA-based freelance stage manager and the Production Manager at the Lehrer Vocal Institute of Music Academy of the West.
Her love of storytelling through performance started at an early age singing, acting, and dancing at community events and producing small scale shows for her family and friends.
Working as a stage manager led her to companies across the U.S. including Santa Fe Opera, Portland Opera, and Opera Carolina. She has worked extensively at LA Opera in various capacities including Stage Manager, Assistant Director, and as a member of the administrative team. In addition, some of her favorite events to stage manage are one day events such as Hilarity for Charity with Seth Rogan and Disney On Broadway at D23. Most recently, her experience has opened up to include producing and managing corporate events.