America Dreaming

Tonyo Melendez started his professional career at the age of fourteen acting in Radio,Theatre and Television in Central America. After starring in his own TV series, he came to the United States. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Tonyo Melendez holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Virginia and a Master of Fine Arts from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Mr. Melendez has appeared in over 70 television shows and twelve films including, "Last Plane Out" in which he starred. He has appeared in leading roles in 35 plays in Hollywood, ranging from Shakespearian tragedies to Restoration farces. Between acting jobs, he has studied with Lee Strasberg, Robert Lewis and David Craig. Lee Strasberg awarded him a two year scholarship to the Strasberg Institute. Tonyo Melendez is also a graduate of Los Angeles Musical Theater Workshop in Los Angeles' Music Center. Tonyo Melendez has directed and/or choreographed "Oklahoma", "Finian's Rainbow", "Come Blow Your Horn", "The Sand Box", "No Exit", "Tea and Sympathy", and Variety shows like "The Club That Never Closes", "The P.Q. Singers" at The Kennedy Center, and "Uncle Funky's Revue" at the Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. Mr. Melendez served as director of Rio Hondo's college production of the Musical Drama "Sarita", and directed USC Department of Theatre's production of "Thin Air: Tales of a Revolution." Mr. Melendez adapted and directed Cyrano de Bergerac at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. His last directorial assignment was the critically acclaimed production of Clifford Odets play "The Big Knife". As a writer he has three screenplays currently being considered for production. He is writing his second novel entitled: "America Learning". It is his goal to produce films in hopes of opening opportunities for Hispanic actors in Hollywood.