Meet Melanie Futorian

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Futorian. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melanie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

As a child, I read a book and the character said that she couldn’t leave this earth without contributing artistically to humanity.
I remember underlining those words in pencil. I knew then, that was my purpose. (I was dedicated to painting and writing.)
About the same time I debated which would be better, To be able to fly or to be invisible.
I deducted that being invisible would be more beneficial.
But when I saw Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform, I changed my mind.
Now this was the flying I wanted to do. In fact, they were soaring.
I decided that I had to dance and started studying,
Many years later, I attended college. The dance department rejected me saying that my body was unfit for dance with my bow legs etc and I was too old. I was 16.
I left college and moved to New York to study at the best studios and eventually danced, taught and choreographed.
I got asthma and the performing and visual arts were no longer an option.
I’d been always photographing since I was young, so I chose to be a camerawoman.
My first job was Harvard University in the audio /video dept, then CNN, and years later The United Nations with UN TV..
We just finished the General Assembly and if you look at news you can see my camera work of Netanyahu, Zelensky etc
It was absolutely thrilling and I’m so grateful we have a fabulous team.
After decades of hearing no, yes won over.
My purpose was woven from inspiration into many artistic arenas but also developed out of necessity.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Creativity is my joy and I always like having a few projects brewing simultaneously.
I’m very excited as my play, “Mel’s Kitchen” just had an Off-Broadway reading at The AMT Theater in New York.
There are discussions about it going Off Broadway. We’ll see.
The I phone film version appeared in festivals and coincidentally will be shown at The AMT Film Festival October, 2025.
It’s about young dancer pursuing her career, while living in Hell’s Kitchen during the 1980’s when the neighborhood was crime infested. It’s a story of resilience in the face of adversity. (Yes, autobiographical )
Currently, I’m choreographing a duet on Melisa Weber and Jose Rojas with music by the brilliant bassist, Victor Wooten.
My choreography has been shown at various New York dance festivals such as Battery Dance Festival, Harlem Arts Festival, Next@Graham, Symphony Space etc. so I’m hoping for more upcoming opportunities.
I’ve been attending sewing classes and creating fashions modeled by JADE and photographed by Crystal Blake.
Plans to hit the runway next year.
I ended up having a small acting role in a film called “Marty Supreme” featuring Timothee Chalamet., Frani Drescher and Gweneth Paltrow, Coming out Dec 25th, 2025..
Work continues with UN TV and the amazing crew under the auspices of Victor Tom.
I’ll continue to photograph dance companies and jazz musicians. ( Received 2 Grammy Certificated for my CD photography )
This artistic cornucopia keeps life interesting though I think creativity can be in the making of a soup too.
I love the process but also sharing my work in hopes that you might enjoy it as well.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

PERSEVERANCE, HOPE, MOTIVATION .
Stay true to your heart.
Shield yourself from negativity.
Don’t let people dissuade you from your dream.
Enjoy the journey. The end result is just icing on the cake, so take delight in eating that cake.
Take risks, create your own opportunities since some may be slow to come or not appear at all.
Have several projects out at the same time.
Don’t doubt yourself, though easily said than done.
Have a great support system.
And find the joys.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Being human, I’d highly recommend slowing down and giving yourself the “permission” to relax.
My friend calls it, “Having a Mel Day.'”
Whatever that means for you.
For me, being on the go constantly does not yield productivity.
Switch gears. Change the schedule up. Minimize responsibilities.
Instead of working on a particular project I’ll treat myself to a massage, my favorite meal, hang out with my kitty.
My father used to say, that creativity is like a sponge.
After you squeeze out all the ideas you need to reabsorb.
Guilt free re-charging. Nothing wrong with that..

Contact Info:

Image Credits

George Libbares,
Bernard Aquina
John Semper
Brian Walshe
Leanne Staeger
Melanie Futorian

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