But those students lucky enough to be in a class taught by Melanie Grace Gillespie learn just how to do that, with style.

Gillespie recently started teaching acting skills to Milton children at the School of Mel O’Drama, a new theater school located in the Centre School facility at First Congregational Church, 495 Canton Ave.

Building on her own talents and family history in theater, Gillespie is sharing her love of theater with youngsters from age 5 and up.

Gillespie, a native of Dublin, followed in her father Brendan Grace’s footsteps. Grace is a renowned comedic Irish entertainer who has worked with Frank Sinatra and other legends in the entertainment world.

“I was born into theater and music. They were the big things in our house,” Gillespie said, adding that she and her three siblings all inherited the love of acting. “It was a fun house to grow up in.”

Her father’s work found the family moving to Florida in the mid-1990s, where Gillespie took part in theater classes and shows. Her talents were further molded at Emerson College, where she graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater training.

She knew she wanted to make a career of doing what she loved.

“This is all we really, really know how to do, and are passionate about,” she said while explaining why she decided to start the school. “Do something you love doing.”

After graduating from Emerson, she returned to Ireland, where she had a stint appearing in a Gaelic soap opera on Irish television called “Ros Nå Run.” When she decided to move back to the United States with her husband, the show’s writers had her character murdered.

“So that’s the end of me ever having a chance to come back,” she said. “But they said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s a soap. Her evil twin might be able to come back.”

Gillespie had the opportunity in Ireland to direct a play about underprivileged children, called “We Were. We Are. We Always Will Be.”

The play focused on the lives of children living in poverty. Gillespie found talent for the show in children right off the streets of Ireland, who portrayed characters not too different than themselves.

“I just decided that I wanted real, raw acting. And it was tough. I really took on a lot,” she said. The play was a success and was mentioned in many newspaper articles in Ireland.

“I had one young girl, after she performed, she came down off the stage and told me her path in life had been changed. Goosebumps!” Gillespie said.

The fulfilling experience of working with those children solidified her desire to teach her craft to more young students. She started the School of Mel O’Drama in Ireland, and then in Florida, prior to moving to Quincy and opening in Milton in August.

Gillespie feels that through theater and drama, children can learn confidence, self-awareness and self-worth. It’s a message she tries to convey in her classes.

“I started thinking about classes I had in high school. I started thinking, why is there not a class just called ‘Hope?’ Why can’t we have a class in confidence?” she said.

Mel O’Drama classes are tailored to suit the composition of each class. Gillespie encourages students to be creative in suggesting themes, and she teaches them various acting techniques and exercises during each class.

While music is a part of the curriculum, it is not a dance class. Children learn creative movement and vocal warm-up exercises. Gillespie said the students take pride in their accomplishments.

Classes run in 10-week sessions, and new students are able to join most classes throughout the session, if space is available.

A new session begins Monday, Dec. 5.

Classes meet once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for ages 5, 6 and 7; classes for ages 8 through 12 meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Gillespie hopes to add classes for teenagers soon.

So far, feedback from students and parents has been positive. One mother said her shy child has become more vocal and outgoing since being in the class.

“If I can leave a child with that mark, so that one day they are in a situation and they reflect back on something that I taught them, I’ve made a difference,” Gillespie said.