Melissa Sina Applin
Costume Designer, Perfomer, & Teacher
Melissa is a proud Afakasi Samoan, born and raised on Dharug land in Western Sydney. An avid performer in University Theatre, especially with her home society Macquarie Musical Society(MacMS). Some of her stage credits include: Akanisi in Fekei (Sour Cherry Productions and Qtopia), Joy in Where I’m From (Satiu Studios), Alternate Emmett Forrest/Ensemble in Legally Blonde (MacMS),Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (UNSW MTS) Junie in Invisible (MacMS), Piggy in Lord of the Flies (DRAMAC), Featured cast in Worlds Away (MacMS).
Some of her production roles include: Assistant Director and Choreographer 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (MacMS), Co-Directing Archnemesis to the Archetype (MacMS), Co-Producer for Spongebob the Musical (MacMS), Choreographer for Hyacinthus (MacMS) and Producer/Choreographer for a Midsummer Night’s Dream (DRAMAC), Technical Director for Parfumerie (DRAMAC), Costume Master/Designer for Twisted: The Untold story of a Royal Vizier (MacMS), Co-Music Director for Acquitted (MULS/Law Revue).
She also served as the Property Officer for MacMS from 2020-2021. Then served as Vice-President in 2022 and President in 2023. She served on the ATYP Youth Board in 2024.
Between her theatre commitments, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Archaeology at Macquarie University and has published multiple conference papers and digital archaeology media. She is employed as a Pasifika Education Presenter at the Australian Museum. She also fills her spare time with her employment at both Macquarie University and as an employee for HVK Productions working on Bluey! Live as a Technical Operator. She is also a proud show group member of Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts since 2024.
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She recently competed in the Miss Samoa NSW and placed 1st Runner up. Her campaign emphasised the need for all levels and forms of Education and the power of storytelling.