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Now at age 28, he is half the time a children's television writer and producer in Los Angeles, and the other half a national storyteller devoting much time to Michigan.

"It turned into something I really wanted to do, and be relatively good at it," Mellema said. "I realized I wanted to keep doing this. Of all my old cronies, I might be the only one of that era making a career out of it."

Now he is set to bring his combination of choreography, song, humor and drama to the PIX Theatre in Lapeer. Mellema is scheduled to perform at 2:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the theater's Kids Club series. Tickets are $5.

PIX Director Craig Martin believes kids will enjoy the performance.

"He's very animated and brings the stories to life," he said. "He makes up stories on the spot. He's very creative and a very funny young man. He truly practices the art of storytelling. He's all over the place, in the air and on the ground."

Mellema earned his bachelor of arts degree in theater from Calvin College in Grand Rapids after high school. He spent two years studying acting at The Goodman Theatre School in Chicago. He's also taught and coordinated educational programming at The Round House Theatre in Washington D.C.

Last year, Mellema created "Washington Talks!" bringing true stories of influential Washingtonians to the stage for D.C. audiences.

Since Michigan is right smack dab in the middle of winter, this chilly season will be the focus at this weekend's PIX event.

"I'll be bringing some good stories from my bag of tricks for wintertime," he said. "I'll be doing some stories that are books that can be checked out from the library. I'll be sharing 'Hoover's Bride' by David Small, and do some original tales.

"I grew up in a house where both my parents were avid readers. That's something I really support in all the work I deal with. My enjoyment of books and storytelling came from early on. That was really important."

Mellema has been featured on CNN, and has traveled to notable places including the Washington Storytellers Theatre, the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Perkins School for the Deaf and Blind, and the Jackson Storytelling Festival.

He even shared his stories during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

"I was brought in to do school shows," Mellema recalled. "It was a hot bed of excitement. It was thrilling to be there with all that going on, to make the area schools feel involved. It was an extension of the Olympic spirit. That was a real rush."

When he's not on stage, Mellema works as a children's television writer and producer for Plastic Cow Productions in Los Angeles. Notable projects include working on the "pop up" editions for the Disney smash it "High School Musical" and its sequel. In these versions, tidbits of facts and other information pop up on the screen to give viewers more information about the cast and movies. Mellema said he had fun interviewing the cast and learning their "deep, dark secrets."

He also co-produces a show in western Michigan called "Come On Over!"about children exploring their environment through play. It's Web site is www.comeonover.com.

"All of my work in children's television grows out of storytelling," he said. "More I was realizing that it's a natural extension on carrying on stories to broader audiences."

He adds his favorite part about storytelling is talking to the kids afterward and hearing what their favorite stories are.

"It's a nice reminder that with these crazy zany stories I tote around, these are things people can appreciate and enjoy."

His future plans include more storytelling shows in Michigan this summer, as well as in March, which is National Reading Month.

"I'm not a typical storyteller," he said. "I'm not a sit-on-the-a-stool and whisper. If I don't break a sweat, it wasn't a successful show."

And Mellema wouldn't have it any other way.

"If I keep doing what I'm doing for the rest of my life, I'll be the most happy fella," he said. "I hang out with kids and use my imagination. Imagination is the most important thing you can have, whether you're an artist, or a scientist, or an accountant."

Mellema can be seen on the Web at www.franklin-eclectic.com.

Jeff Hoard can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8127 or jeff.hoard@lapeergroup.com