Melea J. Brock will say (with a wink!) that she tells stories for the “kid” inside everyone. Melea’s training in social work and student affairs (Azusa Pacific University), coupled with a background in theater, have provided her with a special kind of insight into the human condition and ability to communicate through oral storytelling. Melea’s stories, whether hers or an ancient folktale or true life-story, are brought to life with believable characterization and the well-trained narrative skills of a seasoned artist. Melea’s proving ground for her story skills began in a college setting when she began writing stories to communicate difficult truths to the college students with whom she worked during the early 1980’s. It wasn’t long before her storytelling was taking her into churches, organizations, conferences, boardrooms, backyards, and the sides of beds across the United States and into Canada. Her work has been produced into audio and book form and has been featured in numerous magazines. The release of her newest book and audio CD entitled, “Step Inside… Where Stories Come to Life,” has received favorable reviews from adults, children, and what Melea calls the professional storytellers—hospice caregivers, mommies and daddies, grandparents, teachers, pastors, and counselors. “Their use of my stories is the reason I keep writing them!”A push forward in life for Melea has been her miraculous healing from a stroke in April of 2015 and recent recovery from Open Heart Surgery in 2022. “I’m still standing…yeah, yeah, yeah,” she’ll tell you with a smile. The publishing of “The Green Velvet Christmas Dress” at the end of 2019 (amidst Covid) has shown itself to be a great success (with a second printing planned in 2024). This further launched a pilot GVCD 8-week Bible Study, and a second theater piece – “The Green Velvet Christmas Dress in 5 Monologues” which will premiere in Southern California, December 2023. Melea’s newest theater adventure is the creation of an evergreen character – Margaret Louise Gray – librarian & researcher by profession, but also funny, quirky, and a kindness-matters-kind-of-person. Her *experiential theater exploits with audiences will begin fall of 2023. Melea lives in Southern California with her husband, young adult daughter, & ornery senior corgi.