From UCR Magazine for Dracula…
“Over the summer, students participating in the department’s practicums, a unique set of courses offering hands-on experience working on theater productions, gathered in the ARTS Building on campus. There, under the guidance of director Melanie Queponds, production manager Ben Tusher, and other staff and faculty, they set to work fabricating scenery, building props, designing costumes, and preparing lighting and sound equipment before the play’s November debut. Take a look at what went on long before the curtains were drawn on opening night.”
By Malinn Loeung | Photos by Stan Lim | June 2026
From UCR News for Fuenteovejuna…
“As a production the set design is stunning. The folk songs that come from the villagers’ hearts are the songs that make us understand who they are as people. We feel a part of community taking part in a wedding when terror starts to descend showing us that even under the yoke of tyranny, community and communal life does and must go on. It is a testament to the director’s talent that of 12 actors in the production, only two have been on [the UCR] stage in performances before.
This is an emotionally charged production, and the ability of the actors to remain in character as they enact and receive abuse and discover redemption will be something that will stay with viewers. Their artistry will force you to consider where you stand if you have to live under a tyrant as so many others have throughout history. The ensemble creates a performance that will both lift and wrench your heart.”
By J.D. Mathes | February 11th, 2026
From UCR Life for A Doll’s House…
“From lights up to lights down, the cast renders emotional changes and perspective shifts in facial expressions that reveal the subtext of the words they speak. At times wordless, the audience understands their contradictions and realizations. Sebastian Ocampo as Nora delivers a smile at the right moment that triggers both a sense of tragedy and triumph just as Alvin Peralta as Toño turns a befuddled look into one of deep understanding.”
By J.D. Mathes | May 7th, 2025
For CanvasRebel…
A short interview with Melanie about her artistic journey, starting from the very beginning.
By CanvasRebel | January 15th, 2024
At the MSJC Talon Newspaper about Little Red…
“By the end, we are left with the satisfaction that family has been forever altered but found, and reunited, in the lives of the various characters who had been seeking such closure through other means, and who might now live, in their special way—according to the adage of an old fairytale: happily ever after.”
By Jared Solorio | December 1st, 2023
On Broadway World about Have To Believe We Are Magic…
“Part biographical, part magic, of a coming-of-age, roller-skating Latina, making big life after high school decisions -like sex, love, and abortion -all under the shadow of ‘The Magic Kingdom’ (or The Tragic Kingdom) in central Orange County, California in the summer of 1994… A staged reading directed by Melanie Queponds…”
By Stephi Wild | May 26th, 2022
On Broadway World about Last Hermanos…
“A Red Orchid Theatre will present Last Hermanos - an audio translation of a play in progress, written by Exal Iraheta and directed by Melanie Queponds.”
By Chloe Rabinowitz | April 22nd, 2021
For Carvd N Stone in Milwaukee about The Winged Man…
Melanie was interviewed by the wonderful Nyesha at Carvd N Stone for her work in Renaissance Theatre Works’ virtual production of Belonging, which included Jose Rivera’s short play The Winged Man.
By Nyesha Stone | December 19th, 2020
On Good Day DePaul and The Theatre School’s Youtube…
Melanie was interviewed about her production of The Rover by The Theatre School’s Media Team and by Good Day DePaul, DePaul University’s news show.
February 2020
The segment for The Rover begins at 2:18.
For the Gluck Fellows Programs at UC Riverside…
Melanie was interviewed about her involvement as a Gluck Fellow at UC Riverside and her production of Tomás and the Library Lady.
March 14th, 2017
In The Press Enterprise…
“Tomás Rivera’s rise to success told in play, saluted with Riverside film festival”
By Alicia Robinson | The Orange County Register | October 28th, 2016
In Highlander News…
“Mariachi Girl Displays Strong Showing at the Culver Center”
“I have to say that the play ended in a satisfying way that impressed the entire audience, who gave a minutes-long standing ovation. There must have been some sand blowing around during the climactic song, because my eyes started to feel surprisingly watery as the actors performed the final scene. It feels almost criminal that this is the only planned performance of the show, as it is honestly one of the best theater productions I have ever seen, at UCR or otherwise. “
By Robert Less | February 22nd, 2016