ABOUT
Mission
To create impactful and accessible performing arts experiences with a commitment to showcasing artists and stories that are often untold.
Vision
To be leaders in providing meaningful and thoughtful reflection of society by featuring untold stories and overlooked bodies with emphasis on creating multiple pathways of access to increase the connection between art and audience.
About
Watermelon Bathtub Theater Company is based in Philadelphia and was founded by two circus artists, Melissa Mellon and Sarah Tuberty. Using spin off of their last names embodying the curiosity and redefinition of terms that their work creates.
Interested in working with us as a storyteller or a performer??
Check out our Casting Calls!
Victoria Pirenoglu
Artistic Director
Victoria, (she/they) is a lover of movement from a young age and found circus at The Philadelphia Circus School of Arts in 2015. Building on a life-long foundation of hip hop and ballroom dancing, this discovery reignited her spark for expressing herself and telling stories through movement in the air.
Victoria is a full time circus coach at the Philadelphia School Circus School of Arts and performer. They have traveled up and down the east coast performing at places like The Muse, The Pool After Dark, and many others. She is excited to be working on the Watermelon Bathtub Team and to give space to other performers!
She is fabulously entertaining with aerial acts such as: aerial fabric, lollipop Lyra, sling teardrop trapeze and many other apparatuses. - fantastic ambiance services, roving, fire performances and more!
Melissa Mellon
Co-founder and Co-Producer
Melissa (she/her) studied Theatre Performance at Juniata College, where she trained in acting, movement expression, Skinner Releasing, Fitzmaurice Voicework, and was introduced to single point trapeze. She finally made her way to training at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts where she is now a youth and adult coach.
Melissa is skilled in aerial arts on the lyra, trapeze (single and double point), pole, lollipop, and sling. She is also trained in fire flow and safety. She is available for aerial bartending, as well. Her favorite thing to do is create beautiful flying and ambient acts.
Co-founder and Co-Producer
Sarah Tuberty (she/her) studied Occupational Therapy at Boston University, and is studying for her PhD in Occupational Therapy at Texas Women's University.
Sarah has studied and trained in accessible aerial arts, and has a particular interest in the psychosocial impacts of disability and disability identity. Especially in spaces where the disability narrative is so often told from individuals outside of the disability community. Her work is to showcase stories and perspective of the authentic disability narrative.
Sarah has trained internationally in the lyra, fabrics, pole, and trapeze.