Leading with Empathy: An Interview with Melissa Wilson

When Melissa Wilson joined Ally Theatre & Voices Unbarred (Ally & Voices) as our new program associate in May 2026, she brought more than a background in theatre. She brought a belief in the power of listening, empathy, and creating spaces where people can grow.

Originally from Seattle, Melissa moved to the DMV in 2023 after studying musical theatre in college. Since then, she's immersed herself in the local theatre community, taking on a variety of creative roles while continuing to explore how theatre can be a tool for justice and transformation.

We sat down with Melissa to learn more about her journey, what excites her about joining Ally & Voices, and the values she brings to the role.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What should our community know about you?

I'm a proud Seattleite—born and raised! I moved to the DMV in 2023 after studying musical theatre in college, and since then I've loved getting involved in the local theatre scene. I've always been passionate about the arts, but even more than that, I'm passionate about how theatre can create change and bring people together.

My faith is also a huge part of who I am. I love God, and that shapes the way I approach people, values, community, and the work I hope to do.

Can you share a little about the path that led you to Ally & Voices?

My parents always made serving our community a priority in our household growing up. Instead of typical spring breaks, we'd often spend that time volunteering together. That planted a seed about the power of community and the importance of service early on.

College expanded my perspective even more. It was an entirely new environment and I found myself surrounded by people with experiences very different from my own. And that really grew my empathy. After college, I got an internship with a theatre for social change organization, where I realized that my love for theatre and my passion for serving others didn't have to exist separately—they could actually strengthen each other.

I learned that theatre can uplift marginalized voices and create opportunities for people to be seen and heard. Being able to live out those values in a theatre context is exactly what drew me to Voices Unbarred.

What about ATVU's mission resonated with you?

Empathy.

Theatre inherently invites us to step into someone else's shoes, and that's so central to the work Voices Unbarred does. We are not just telling stories. We are helping make sure the people most impacted by the criminal legal  system have the opportunity to tell their own stories and be part of the solution.

What are you most looking forward to in your work with Ally & Voices?

I'm excited, and honestly challenged, by the question of what it really looks like to support people well.

How do you balance grace with accountability? How do you create an environment where people feel safe enough to grow?

I've been fortunate to experience both grace and accountability in my own life, and those experiences have shaped me. I hope I can offer that same kind of space to the people we work alongside. Creating an environment where people can grow is an incredibly powerful thing, and it's also a huge responsibility.

Community is at the heart of ATVU's work. What does meaningful community engagement look like to you?

It starts with listening.

You can't know what a community needs unless you're willing to hear from the people in it, the people who are actually living those experiences. It means resisting the urge to arrive with solutions already in mind and instead building solutions alongside the people most affected.

It also means bringing everyone into the conversation. Real community solutions require all stakeholders at the table because you don't know what you don't know. Listening first creates stronger, more lasting change.

Can you share one creative experience that has shaped the way you see the world?

One of the most meaningful experiences I've had was co-writing a play about empathy in politics.

As part of the research process, I interviewed people with a wide range of political beliefs and life experiences. We talked about politics, but we also talked about much more personal questions about values, fears, hopes, and what mattered most to them.

While their political opinions often differed dramatically, many of their deeper human experiences were remarkably similar.

That process helped me better understand people I didn't always agree with. It reminded me that we often have more in common than we realize, even if we envision different paths forward.

When you think about the future of justice and community care, what gives you hope?

I'm encouraged when people are willing to listen before speaking, to seek common ground, and to genuinely understand why someone believes what they believe. I think that's where transformation begins.

Finally, what's one thing you hope our community knows about you?

I genuinely love people, and I'm excited to get to know everyone involved in this work.

I hope to help create a space where working toward justice feels restorative rather than exhausting. And if I'm ever not helping create that kind of environment, I hope people will tell me. I want to keep learning and growing alongside this community.

---

If there's one thread that runs through Melissa's story, it's her belief that meaningful change begins with listening and empathy. Whether she's supporting Community Advocates, collaborating with partners, or helping shape new programs, she hopes to build spaces where justice feels restorative, people feel valued, and everyone has room to grow. We're grateful she's part of the Ally Theatre & Voices Unbarred team and look forward to continuing this work together.