The Allure of Thug Life at Namba Performing Arts Space

The Allure of Thug Life is a Hip Hopsical comedy about Mélia, an upper middle-class teen from Oakland who wants to be a gangster rapper. Picture a 15 year old girl who wants to fit in at her new high school, but is bullied regularly. Struggling to find her own voice, she discovers her talent—rapping and begins straddling the fence between the good life and thug life. Mélia longs to go from Riches to Rags and encounters Bullying, Boyfriends and Bullets! This is the riveting story of one’s journey to discover their authentic self and the lengths they will go to own it. If you’re scared, stay home. If you’re fearless, roll through for this wild ride!

In 2023, Mélia won a scholarship from the HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL and performed her show, THE ALLURE OF THUG LIFE to sold-out audiences. 

The LA TIMES named it one of the TOP 10 SHOWS to see at Fringe!

THE ALLURE OF THUG LIFE won BEST MUSICAL, THE ELLA TURENNE AWARD, PICK OF THE FRINGE and THE HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER’S ENCORE AWARD.

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The Allure of Thug Life will be performed at Namba Performing Arts Space.
47 South Oak Street, Ventura, CA 
Running Time: 60 minutes. $15 student ticket. $20 general admission.
For tickets: Click Here
Performance date: Saturday, September 16th, 7pm

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OFFICIAL WINNER – BEST MUSICAL 

OFFICIAL WINNER – PICK OF THE FRINGE

OFFICIAL WINNER OF THE HOLLYWOOD ENCORE PRODUCERS’ AWARD

OFFICIAL WINNER – ELLA TURENNE AWARD

OFFICIAL WINNER-HFF SCHOLARSHIP 

FINALIST- SYDNEY FRINGE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE AWARD

FINALIST- NAMBA ARTS SPLASH AWARD, EXCELLENCE IN CULTURAL ARTS PERFORMANCE

FINALIST – JAXX CULTURAL ARTS ENVOY AWARD

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About Mélia

If Chris Rock and Weird Al had a baby, she’d be it. Mélia Mills is an Oakland, CA native. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in Theater Arts. Mélia is a writer, comedian, actress, and rapper.

Mélia wrote, created, produced, directed and acted in JUNETEENTH- An Emancipation Celebration to a sold out crowd at UCB Sunset. Mélia was a writer and performer on UCB’s House Team, CHARACTERS WELCOME and iO West’s House Team, Character World. Mélia co-hosted the podcast TALK LIKE A GIRL on Feral Audio. She has opened for Dave Chappelle, Gad Elmaleh “Jerry Seinfeld of France”, and did Script and Character Development for Sacha Baron Cohen.