McMath is the Founding Artistic Director of Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc., a non-profit theatre company located in Loudoun County, Virginia (www.aurorastudiotheatre.org). She maintains the artistic vision for the company and acts as producer for every show, program and class. She is occasionally called upon to direct or teach.
Prize-winning Playwright whose works have been produced as fundraisers for The Waterford Foundation's Capital Campaign, The Lincoln Preservation Foundation, and Blair Arts Council, Altoona, Pennsylvania. Her plays have appeared in a variety of theatre venues on the east coast from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.
Award-winning Historian and Writer, Producer and Director of Living History Programs, creating original living history programs for schools, history organizations, and museums including The National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution), The Newseum, The National Trust's Oatlands Plantation, and The Loudoun Museum. She also wrote and directed two documentaries, one of which aired on The History Channel.
Author of historic fiction, plays, and short stories. McMath was first published in 1995 by Vine Books.
Freelance Writer for a variety of local papers and magazines, including Elan Magazine and The Washington Post Loudoun Extra. Work includes three years as a Columnist for Loudoun ART Magazine.
Film and Documentary creator for Run, Rabbit, Run Productions, Inc.., co-founded by McMath and Joni Lynn Crane. Run, Rabbit Run productions have appeared on The History Channel and are used in Loudoun County Public Schools and libraries. McMath's most recent work: screenwriter and director of Waterford's War, a full-length film produced by and for the Lincoln Preservation Foundation with Cinematographer Peter Buck.
Publicist for a number of arts and history organizations, including The Hillsboro Concert Series, The Tally Ho Theatre, The Growing Stage, Not Just Shakespeare, Inc., Hill Playhouse and Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc.
Teacher, Lecturer and Speaker in countless venues on a variety of topics from writing and playwrighting to Civil War and women's history.
A graduate of The College of William and Mary with a B.A. in History (member of Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society) and a Professional Secondary School Teaching Certificate, she is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Arts Management at Shenandoah University.
ARTICLES
"Family Trees," Elan Magazine, February 2008
"Out of the Ordinary," The Piedmont Virginian, winter 2008
"Willing to Jump," Elan Magazine, April 2007
"Rose-Colored Glasses," Elan Magazine, April 2006
"Earth and Iron: The Master Singers of Virginia," Loudoun Arts Advance, spring issue, 2006
"For the Jurascheks, Theatre is a Family Affair," The Blue Ridge Leader, 10/5/05
"What You Waiting For? Make a Movie!" Reel Life with Jane e-zine, September 2005
"Of Life and Reinvention," Elan Magazine, March 2005
"Live! It's the Tally Ho Radio Show!," Blue Ridge Leader, 12/6/02
"Couple Honored as Foster Parents," Washington Post, Loudoun Extra, 12/30/01
"Town Ignited by Prospect of Quiet Fourth," Washington Post, Loudoun Extra, 10/28/01
"For Historic School, a New Life," Washington Post, Loudoun Extra, 9/27/01
"Stretching to a New Level: For Young Dancer, Years of Hard Work Start to Pay Off," Washington Post, Loudoun Extra, 9/20/01
"A New Performing Arts Center," Middleburg Life, July 2001.
"He's Been Framed," The Blue Ridge Leader, March 17, 2000.
"When Valued Customers are Valued Friends," Middleburg Life, August 1999.
"Come Meet the Neighbors at PORCHES," Middleburg Life, March 1999.
"... And a Straight Jacket for the Editor," Citizen's Companion, Oct/Nov issue, 1997.
"Bringing Back an Age of Innocence: Loudoun's Radio Revival," Loudoun Times-Mirror, 10/15/97.
"All for the Union!" Middleburg Life, March 1997.
"Civil War Music for Reenactors," Civil War Lady Magazine, No. 15, fall 1995.
"The Spirit of a House," Loudoun Times-Mirror, October 26, 1994
"The Restorer's Apprentice," Loudoun Times-Mirror, 1988
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AWARDS / HONORS
Marquis 2006-2007 Who's Who of American Women
2005 - Volunteer of the Year, Hillsboro Community Association
2003 - August - First Prize, Ten-Minute Play Competition, Source Theatre, Washington, D.C. for Sticks & Stones
2002 - League of Women Voters of Loudoun County: awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to advancing the awareness of women's history
2000 - Nominated for a Virginia's Governor's Arts Award
1998 - Honored by the Hillsboro Community Association for inspiring young people to the study of American history
1996 - A recipient of The Loudoun History Award, presented by the Advisory Commission of The Thomas Balch Library of Leesburg, Virginia to those "who have made a significant contribution to Loudoun History"
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BOOKS
The "Celebrating the American Woman" historic fiction series, Servant Publications, Ann Arbor (out of print):
BOOK ON TAPE: Pella's Angel Audio Version (2002, ISBN 0-9724158-1-5)
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COLUMNIST
"The Good Neighbor," Loudoun ART Magazine (1998-2001, semi-monthly)
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DIRECTOR / WRITER FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
Currently in post-production: screenwriter/director/co-editor of Waterford's War - full-length film produced by The Lincoln Preservation Foundation, Cinematography by Peter Buck. Due to premiere at Tally Ho Theatre spring 2007.
2007 - Walking for Water ten minute promotional video for the non-profit Wisdom Springs, Inc. Screenplay by Meredith Bean McMath. Cinematography and Editing by Nate Juraschek
2004 - Scriptwriter, "George Christopher Schultz: Son, Friend, Sailor" - Waterford Productions, Inc., LLC
1998 to present - Co-Founder, co-Producer: RUN, RABBIT, RUN PRODUCTIONS, INC., a history video production company devoted to bringing history to life. RRR has created the following videos for Virginia cable stations, schools and libraries, creating:
1994 - "Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War" (see living history productions below) - Videotaped by Cablevision of Loudoun and shown on cable channels in Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland
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DIRECTOR / PRODUCER
2004 to present - Producer, Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. shows, library programs and classes
2008, April 5 - Co-producer with Carolyn Christensen, "Hard Stories to Tell" at Winchester Little Theatre - multi-media art presentation of dance, visual art, play, poetry and story to benefit The Laurel Center (formerly known as the Shelter for Abused Women), Winchester, Virginia. Supported in part by a grant from The Puffin Foundation
2008, March - Directed The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale by Alice Power, the premiere performance of Loudoun County's Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, Purcellville, Virginia; produced by Very Special Arts - Loudoun County
2007, October - Produced and directed "Haunted History," at Hillsboro, Virginia's Old Stone School community center to raise funds for The Hillsboro Community Association and the Drama and History Clubs of Loudoun Valley High School
2006, 2003 & 1997, December - An 1850s Christmas - Producer, living history presentation of song, dance, and parlor games in conjunction with Hillsboro's Christmas Tour of Homes, Hillsboro, Virginia.
2006, November - Director, Arms and the Highlander, an adaptation written by McMath of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA
2006, April - May - Director, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA and Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, Virginia
2004, November - Wrote and directed original adaptation of Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA
2004, spring - Youth Theatre Co-director, 8th Grade Class production A Midsummer Night's Dream, Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, VA
2003, October - Director, ALL FOR THE UNION in Confederate Virginia! Civil War drama produced as a fundraiser for The Lincoln Preservation Foundation, Lincoln, VA
2003, June - Director, "The Hangar Dance USO Show," Leesburg Airport, Leesburg, VA - to benefit the Commemorative Air Force, National Capitol Squadron
2003, spring - Youth Theatre Director, 7th Grade Class production Romeo & Juliet, Loudoun Country Day School
2002, December to 2003, May - Producer/Director, "The Tally Ho Radio Show," a 1940s-style live radio show presented at The Tally Ho Theatre, Leesburg, Virginia, in conjunction with WAGE Radio; shows featured a comedian show host, a cappella music by "The Swingin' Smithley Sisters," a Vox Pox-style interview with a WW II soldier "about to ship out," and full cast, live radio theatre presentations of A Christmas Carol, Arsenic & Old Lace and the1936 radio comedy Nickelodeon.
2002, May - An Afternoon with the Caldwells, 1855 - The Abolitionist Fundraiser; Wrote, produced and directed the re-creation of an Abolitionist Fundraiser for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's "May Fair" celebration of the "Within These Walls" Exhibit.
2001, August - Co-producer, Rachel Carson: A Writer's Odyssey, a narrated dramatic readings of Carson's works. Presented at The Rachel Carson Conference, National Fish and Wildlife Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV.
2001, June - Waterford's War - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated living history of Civil War Quaker Journalists for The Newseum, Arlington, Virginia. Commissioned by The Newseum in conjunction with their "War Stories" exhibit
2000-2001 - By Lamplight & Campfire: Music of the Civil War - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated history of Civil War music. Songs sung by vocalists in period dress. (Performed at Hillsboro Community Association's 2000 Annual Meeting, Oatlands Plantation "2001 Winter Lecture Series" and Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia in May of 2001)
1997 - Having a Ball: Ballroom Costume, Etiquette and Dance in the Midst of the Rebellion, wrote, produced and directed for the final presentation of McMath's Elizabeth Carter Lecture Series at The National Trust's Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, Virginia. ("Having a Ball" became the basis of a documentary video which aired several times on the History Channel. The presentation was most recently presented at The National Conference of the Romance Writers of America, Washington, D.C., 2002)
1994 - Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War - Wrote, produced and directed this living history program which presented dramatic readings of original Civil War letters and diaries within a narrated overview of Loudoun County Civil War History for The Loudoun Museum's 25th Anniversary Program (Presented January 21-22, 1994 in Leesburg, VA. Revised version presented at Loudoun Country Day School, May 2003)
1997 to 1999 - Associate Producer for Studio Two, a live radio theatre program featured on WAGE Radio (AM 1200), Leesburg, Virginia.
1996-1997 - Associate Producer for Brunswick, Maryland's WTRI Radio's "Sunday Afternoon Armchair Theatre"
1995 - The Union Ball - Co-writer (with Brian Boucher) and Producer for The Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, VA; presented for the public May 13 at St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, VA to benefit The Loudoun Museum. Directed by Claudine Gilarski, Cathy Bieberick and Meredith Bean McMath.
1979 - A Tale of a Tavern - Wrote, produced and directed for The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Fairfax County Park Authority; produced August 4 at The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Dranesville, VA
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EDUCATION
2008 to present - Graduate student at Shenandoah University pursuing an MS in Arts Management
1979 - B.A. in
History with a Secondary School Teaching Certificate, The College of
William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, a member of Phi Alpha
Theta, History Honor Society
FURTHER EDUCATION
2007 - League Prep Acting Class with Bolton Marsh, Purcellville, Virginia
2005 - Michael Kinghorn's Playwrights' Workshop, The Artists' Center, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
2003 - Martin Blank's "Playwriting to Production," The Writers' Center, Bethesda, MD
1998 - Madeleine L'Engle Writers' Retreat, Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
1988 - The Art of Gold Leaf - William Adair Gold Leaf Studio, Washington, D.C.
1978 - Christ's College, Cambridge University - College of William & Mary Summer Abroad Program
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LECTURER / TEACHER
April - May 2008, Saturdays - Producing and co-teaching "Royals and Rustics: A High School Student's Guide to Shakespeare" at four Loudoun County, Virginia public libraries. Featuring presentations from professional actor Bolton Marsh and scene studies by actors Carolyn Christensen and Ben Huntington, the program is presented by Aurora Studio Theatre with support from Loudoun County Public Libraries and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
March 2008 - Spring Break Drama Camp Teacher, students age 6-12, Loudoun County Parks and Recreation, Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center
June 2006 - June 2007 - Drama Coach for Footprints School of Performing Arts through Rossi Entertainment
2006 - Jan./Feb. - Crash Course for Young Playwrights, an Aurora Studio Theatre seminar conducted in conjunction with Franklin Park Performing an Visual Arts Center, Round Hill, Virginia
2003-2004 - Basic Drama/Drama Club, Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, Virginia
2003 - Adjunct Professor, Patrick Henry College - Writing Practicums, Purcellville, VA
2003 - Taught/Directed 7th Grade class production of Romeo & Juliet, Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, VA
1998 - Elderhostel Summer Session, "Virginia's Civil War Women," Foxcroft, Middleburg, VA
1997 - The Elizabeth Carter Lecture Series, Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, VA
1980-81 - Teacher, George Mason Junior/Senior High School, Falls Church, VA
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LIVING HISTORY PERFORMANCE WRITER / PRODUCER
2008, May - Four actors portraying characters brought to life from oil paintings for "Galleries at Night: Lights, Camera, Art!," The Museum of the Shendandoah Valley, Winchester, Virginia
2006, January & 2005, July - Vignette's from Waterford's War, Lincoln Elementary School, Lincoln, Virginia
2005, July - Waterford's War Vignette, The Loudoun Museum Civil War Camp, Aldie Mill, Aldie, Virginia (a Civil War-era Quaker family telling the story of life in Waterford, Virginia during the Civil War is interrupted by a visit from Confederate renegade John Mobberly)
2002, May - An Afternoon with the Caldwells, 1855 - The Abolitionist Fundraiser; Wrote, produced and directed the re-creation of an Abolitionist Fundraiser for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's "May Fair" celebration of the "Within These Walls" Exhibit.
2001, June - Waterford's War - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated living history of Civil War Quaker Journalists for The Newseum, Arlington, Virginia. Commissioned by The Newseum in conjunction with their "War Stories" exhibit
2000-2001 - By Lamplight & Campfire: Music of the Civil War - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated history of Civil War music. Songs sung by vocalists in period dress. (Performed at Hillsboro Community Association's 2000 Annual Meeting, Oatlands Plantation "2001 Winter Lecture Series," Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia in May of 2001 and for a number of historical organizations and Civil War Roundtables)
1997 - Having a Ball: Ballroom Costume, Etiquette and Dance in the Midst of the Rebellion, wrote, produced and directed for the final presentation of McMath's Elizabeth Carter Lecture Series at The National Trust's Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, Virginia. ("Having a Ball" became the basis of a documentary video which aired several times on the History Channel. The presentation was most recently presented at The National Conference of the Romance Writers of America, Washington, D.C., 2002)
1994 - Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War - Wrote, produced and directed this living history program which presented dramatic readings of original Civil War letters and diaries within a narrated overview of Loudoun County Civil War History for The Loudoun Museum's 25th Anniversary Program (Presented January 21-22, 1994 in Leesburg, VA. Revised version presented at Loudoun Country Day School, May 2003)
1982 - "A History of Civil War Music" - solo performance presented at Ford's Theatre in conjunction with a Lincoln's Birthday Celebration for local schools, National Park Service
1979 - A Tale of a Tavern - Wrote, produced and directed for The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Fairfax County Park Authority; produced August 4 at The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Dranesville, VA
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PLAYWRIGHT
2007 - The Several Secrets of Will Monroe, an original adaptation of Libbie Harrover Johnson's The Several Secrets of Will Monroe commissioned by The Gray Ghost Theatre Company, Manassas, Virginia. Received a staged reading August 17, 2007, directed by Rick Davis, Artistic Director of Theatre of the First Amendment, George Mason University
2007, February - Co-writer Snow White and the Seven Grumpy Old Men with Bob Rosenberg. Music by Diane El-Shafey. Produced by Carver Radio Theatre at The Round Hill Center, Virginia
2006, November - Arms and the Highlander, an original adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA
2004, November - Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN, an original adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA
2004, January - The Drinking Gourd: Songs and Stories from the Underground Railroad, produced at Lincoln Elementary School and Hillsboro Elementary School in February as a celebration of Black History Month. Directed by Music Teacher Amy McCafferty
2003, October - ALL FOR THE UNION in Confederate Virginia! Civil War drama produced as a fundraiser for The Lincoln Preservation Foundation, Lincoln, VA
2003, August - Sticks & Stones, Source Theatre 10-Minute Play Competition, WDC. Directed by Charles Upton (First Prize Winner)
2001, February - Bill the Bard: An Evening of Shakespeare - Selections of the best of The Bard of Avonlea, with narration written by Meredith Bean McMath. Directed by Tim Jon.
2000 - The Waterford News: Message from the Underground - An historic drama based on true stories from Civil War Loudoun County, Virginia. Directed by Sara Gomez. Performed to benefit The Waterford Foundation's Capital Campaign.
1999 - PORCHES: An American Musical, Musical Drama based on the World War II-era civilian history of Altoona, PA: book by Meredith Bean McMath, original story and music by Tom Sweitzer. Directed by Tom Sweitzer. April production: Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia. October production: The Mishler Regional Theatre in Altoona, Pennsylvania and again at Middleburg, Virginia.
1997 - The Waterford Girls - Produced by The Growing Stage Theatre Company, Inc. of Loudoun County. Directed by Dolly Stevens.
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS (Current and Former)
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PUBLICIST
2004 to present - Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc., Purcellville, Virginia
2008, April - "Hard Stories to Tell," Winchester Little Theatre to benefit The Laurel Center, Winchester, Virginia
2007-2008 - Grandale Farm Restaurant, Neersville, Virginia
Fall 2005 - PORCHES: An American Musical for Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia
Fall 2003 - All for the Union on behalf of The Lincoln Preservation Foundation
Spring 2003 - The Tally Ho Theatre (Special Events)
2002-2003 Season - The Tally Ho Radio Show
2001-2002 - The Not Just Shakespeare Theatre Company
2001-2002 - The Hillsboro Concert Series, Hillsboro Community Association
1998-99 - Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia
1997-98 - The Growing Stage, Purcellville, Virginia
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SHORT STORIES / ESSAYS
2002 - "Zilpha Davis," Essay Three of Essence of a People: African Americans Who Made Their World Anew in Loudoun County, Virginia and Beyond (The Black History Committee, Thomas Balch Library, 2002, ISBN: 0-9724754-6-x)
1995 - "A Yankee in the Well," The Loudoun Pamphlet; A Monthly Magazine of Arts and People. No. 17, October.
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SPEAKER
Provide talks and presentations on the subject of history, writing and play writing to schools and educational organizations which include Civil War Round Tables, public and private schools, women's groups, civic groups, history groups, national organizations such as Girl Scouts of America, writers' seminars and book clubs.
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WEBMASTER
Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. (2004 to present)
Grandale Farm Restaurant (2007 to present)
Run, Rabbit, Run Productions, Inc. (1998 to present)
Waterford's War (2004 to present)
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WORK EXPERIENCE 1979-1983
1981-83 - Intern Coordinator and Assistant to the Director, Office of Public & Academic Programs, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
1980-81 - Teacher, George Mason Junior/Senior High School, Falls Church, VA
1979-80 - Intern, Gadsby's Tavern Museum
1979 - Interpreter and Public Program Coordinator, Dranesville Tavern Museum, Fairfax County Park Authority
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