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Melissa Joyner

Originally from North Carolina, Melissa Joyner holds an MFA in Acting from the New School for Drama. You may see her on the FX mini-series "Mrs. America", CBS Networks' Blue Bloods, FBI or Madame Secretary, and countless commercials. She is an Audelco Award Winner, "Best Supporting Actress", for her performance as BETTY McKAY in Maids Door, written by Writers Guild Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Cheryl L. Davis; and directed by Jackie Alexander, Artistic Director of The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, producers of The National Black Theatre Festival. 

As a graduate of The New School for Drama she has studied under some of the most inspiring, respected & accomplished Playwrights, Directors, Actors and Singers in the industry.  Some of these include: Program Director Robert LuPone, Acting Chair Ron Leibman, Robert Walden, Arthur Storch, Paul Rudd, Austin Pendleton, Nova Thomas, Christopher Shinn, Pippin Parker, Michael Weller, Laura Maria Censabella, Elinor Renfield, Rick Sordelet and Patricia Fletcher.

 

Joyner's television credits include Mrs. America, Blue Bloods, FBI, Evil, Madam Secretary, Damages, "The Morning Show", Redrum,  and“The Today Show”.

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Theatre Credits: Betty McKay in Maids Door (Billie Holiday Theatre), Melissa in And She Said, He Said,I Said, Yes (The Public Theatre), Jermaine in Generation Graffiti (Playwrights Horizons), Mary Talbert in At Buffalo: a Musical (NY Musical Theatre Festival), Angela Metcalf in Fell (NY Fringe Festival), Anna in Old Times (59 East 59th), Sparkle in Body Shots (The Atlantic Theatre, The 24 Hour Plays ), Carol in Jack Perry is Alive and Dating (NY Musical Theatre Festival) Portia in Street Lights, A Musical (NY Musical Theatre Festival).

 

Regional Credits include: Kanika Weaver in Permanent Collection (Human Race Theatre), Betty McKay in Maids Door (NC Black Repertory Theatre).

 

Film: Three Blind Mice (supporting), Bad News Gabe (supporting), 20 Minutes of Action (supporting).

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"...the lovely Melissa Joyner radiates with cool sophistication as Kanika Weaver, ... Joyner is truly compelling"

- Russell Florence Jr; Dayton Most Metro.

"Joyner’s big moment in the play, ... left not a single dry eye in the theatre."

- Brooklyn Reader

"Joyner gives a remarkable performance, fully inhabiting the role of a woman desperately trying to manage an unmanageable situation."

-Susan Gilmore; Winston-Salem Journal

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