Michael Melski is an award-winning writer and director from Cape Breton whose many plays have been published and produced across Canada. A past playwright-in-residence at the Shaw Festival, his Merritt- and Dora-nominated Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad was a smash hit at Toronto's Factory Theatre in 2004, and named one of the Top Ten Plays of The Year by the Toronto Star. The play has subsequently been a hit all over Canada and continues to be produced professionally every year.

In 2006, Corvette Crossing, Merritt-nominated for Best New Play, premiered to rave reviews at Eastern Front Theatre, where it was hailed as â??a tour-de forceâ?? by the Halifax Chronicle Herald and â??an important addition to the Canadian theatre canonâ?? by the Coast. In addition to theatre, Michael has written extensively for film and television, including such Gemini-nominated series as Blue Murder and Snakes and Ladders and the feature films Mile Zero and Touch and Go. As director, Michaelâ??s award-winning short films include Serenade and Focus Group Therapy, as well as an episode of CTVâ??s hit comedy series Robson Arms, starring Margot Kidder and Mark McKinney. Michael has recently completed his first feature film as director-writer (and co-producer), Growing Op starring Rosanna Arquette, Rachel Blanchard, and Wallace Langham. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Halifax Mayorâ??s Award for Achievement in Theatre.