McMath Plays

Meredith Bean McMath

PLAYS& THEATRE RESOURCES

10 minute plays play adaptations full length originals

musicals musical adaptations one acts resources

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"McMath, an award-winning historian and prize-winning playwright, has garnered a reputation for producing high-quality theater in the area."

- Ann Keisman, Loudoun Times-Mirror

10 MIN. PLAYS

		BARROOM TALES Patrons can't help noticing the 6' rat quietly drinking at the bar. Bartender just wants to let him the guy have his drink, but the patrons have a different take on the situation. A short tale with a little bite to it. Find out more... Cast: 6 Length: 10 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		BLIND DATE A comedy that tweaks our understanding of prejudice toward the physically challenged. Find out more... Premiered: 2005, directed by Nate Juraschek at University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC. Cast: 3 Length: 10 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath HONOR: Finalist in the 2006 Theatre Oxford 10- Minute Play Competition, Oxford, MS.

		THE COLLEGE OF HER CHOICE She's run away to follow her dream; what's a parent to do? Find out more... Cast: One male; One female Length: Ten Minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		FLY THE PIG Farce. So why don't true stories ever make it to the Big Screen? Based on a too true conversation with a Hollywood producer. Find out more... Cast: 2 Length: 10 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		STICKS & STONES Her brother needed to ask forgiveness. She'd always blamed herself. For once in their life, they may find the truth doesn't hurt at all. Find out more... Cast: One Male, One Female Length: 10 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath AWARD: First Prize in the 2003 Source Theatre 10-Minute Play Competition, Source Theatre, Washington, D.C.


ADAPTATIONS

		A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM This rollicking adaptation of the William Shakespeare comedy has the cast in constant motion as members play the performers as well as the set: a courtyard fountain or the trees in the lovers' woods. Excellent for school use. Find out more... Cast: 21 Length: 1.5 hours Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN A dynamic adaptation that successfully sets the big story on a small stage through creative use of space. Find out more... Premiered: 2004, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA. Cast: 20 Length: 2 hours View JIM POSTON PHOTOS Read the Loudoun Times-Mirror REVIEW Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		ARMS & THE HIGHLANDER A Colonial American adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man set in 1781 Yorktown, Virginia. Premiered: 2006, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA. Find out more... Cast: 8 Length: 1.5 hours View JIM POSTON PHOTOS Read the Purcellville Gazette REVIEW; Read the Blue Ridge Leader REVIEW Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		THE SEVERAL SECRETS OF WILL MONROE Commissioned and owned by The Gray Ghost Theatre Company of Manassas, Virginia, this is an adaptation of the Libbie Harrover Civil War novel of the same title. A dramatic reading of the new play was performed in 2007, directed by Rick Davis, Artistic Director of Theatre of the First Amendment, George Mason University. Find out more... Cast: 20-24 Length: 1.5 hours Performance Rights: Ken Elston, Gray Ghost Theatre Co.


FULL LENGTH ORIGINALS

		ALL FOR THE UNION in Confederate Virginia! Based on the true Civil War story of three young women who dared to write a pro-Union newspaper from the heart of Confederate Virginia. Find out more... Premiered: 1997, The Growing Stage, Inc., Purcellville, VA Cast: 18 Length: 1.5 hours Read the Loudoun Times-Mirror REVIEW Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath TO BE PRODUCED July 2011

		BILL THE BARD: an Evening of Shakespearean Entertainment A presentation of several short scenes, illuminated by one frustrated actor. Find out more... Premiered: 2000, produced by Not Just Shakespeare, Inc. at the Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA. Cast: 8 Length: 2 hours Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath


MUSICALS

		CAN GILBERT & SULLIVAN SAVE THIS MARRIAGE? (formerly ROMANCE FROM BROADWAY TO LINCOLN CENTER) A light musical featuring Broadway and Opera music wrapped in a romantic comedy. In the summer of 1966, two music experts try to rehearse a tribute to romance, but can they stay on topic? Find out more... Premiered: 2010, produced by Loudoun Lyric Opera Company at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA. Cast: 9 Length: 1.5 hours View JIM POSTON PHOTOS Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		THE DRINKING GOURD: Songs and Stories of the Undergound Railroad A collection of songs and stories written to be produced by 3rd to 6th grade students and cleverly staged to engage every student in the action. Find out more... Premiered: 2004 in celebration of Black History Month, produced by Loudoun County Public Schools at Hillsboro and Lincoln Elementary Schools, Loudoun County, Virginia. Cast: 20-24 Length: 40 minutes Performance Rights: Contact Meredith Bean McMath

		PORCHES: An American Musical Original concept and music by Tom Sweitzer, book by Meredith Bean McMath. Some- times the person who can change your life lives right next door. Find out more... Premiered: 1999, produced by Hill Playhouse at Mishler Theatre, Altoon, PA and The Sheila C. Johnson Performing Arts Center, Middleburg, VA. Cast: 14 Length: 2.5 hours Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath or Tom Sweitzer


MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS

		THE LOVERS' KNOT: A Mystery of Operatic Proportions Darnell's United Theatre Company is making the 1837 east coast circuit, performing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet alongside new opera music stolen from Vincenzo Bellini, and now there's trouble afoot. No, it isn't the stolen music; it's the way the leading men keep dying in freak accidents... Find out more... Cast: 15 Length: 1.5 hours Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath TO PREMIERE APRIL 2012 with The Loudoun Lyric Opera Company at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA


		Once Upon A CHRISTMAS CAROL An original musical based on the beloved Charles Dickens tale; book adaptation by Meredith Bean McMath, music and lyrics by Diane El-Shafey, instrumental music by Carma Oliverez. Find out more... Premiered: 2010, produced by Run Rabbit Run Theatre at Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA. Cast: 24 Length: 1.5 hours Watch the YouTube VIGNETTES (7 min.) Listen to the OPENING MUSIC (30 sec.) View the JIM POSTON PHOTOS Read the PATRON REVIEWS Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		SHAKESPEARE IN SONG & SONNET Favorite Shakespearean sonnets surrounded by period Shakespearean song or music from Shakespearean Operas. Premiered: 2009, Round Hill Arts Center, Round Hill, VA in conjunction with the Loudoun Lyric Opera Company. Find out more... Cast: 8 Length: 1 hour Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath


ONE ACTS

		BETWEEN THE HAWK AND THE BUZZARD A view of life in the Virginia border county of Loudoun during the Civil War reveals complex relationships and new perspectives on the most dangerous time in American History. First person narratives taken from diaries, letters and other primary source documents are presented within a framework of live Civil War music to enhance their stories. Find out more... Premiered: 1994, Loudoun Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration Cast: 14 Length: 45 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		CASE 22 A dark farce that explores the very real issue of physically abused children trapped between courts and home. Premiered: 2010, produced by Run Rabbit Run Theatre at the 2010 Capital Fringe Festival, Washington, D.C. Find out more... Cast: 8 Length: 30 minutes Read D.C Theatre Scene's RAVE REVIEW View ROBERT W. TOPE PHOTOS Performance Rights: Contact Meredith Bean McMath

		THE UNION BALL Based on the true Civil war tale of a dance held by pro-Unionists in Talorstown, Virginia which was raided by Confederate cavalrymen. This poignant story highlights the unique conflicts within this "brothers' war." A first production of the work, co-written with Brian Boucher, was presented by The Loudoun Museum in 1995 as part of the "Road to Antietam" Living History Weekend held in Leesburg, Virginia. Find out more... Cast: 24 Length: 30 minutes Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath

		WATERFORD'S WAR Lida and Lizzie Dutton and Sarah Steer just wanted to make a newspaper to boost Union soldier morale, but they wound up making history. First person presentations and vignettes woven through with a dramatic narration of this true story brings to life the account of three extraordinary young women who wrote a pro-Union newspaper from the heart of Confederate Virginia. Find out more... Premiered: 2001, The Newseum (commissioned and produced in conjunction with the "War Stories" exhibit) Cast: 8 Length: 45 min Performance Rights: Meredith Bean McMath



THEATRE RESOURCES

		MARKETING RESOURCES FOR THE ARTS "Engaging Audiences" - The 2009 Wallace Foundation Study. Changes in technology, demographics, leisure time options and our economy have made vast differences to the way the arts are able to connect with audiences. The study highlights the creative new marketing and programming that works (PDF file). The 2009 Americans for the Arts' "National Arts Marketing Project" - An excellent resource for the latest information on arts marketing. Brian Solis, "The Role of Facebook and Twitter in Social Media Marketing," Feb. 5, 2010 - A discussion of statistical payback on new forms of socil media McMath Article: "Local Theatre Press" (PDF file) - Updated 1/28/11

		HOW TO AUDITION Theatre Audition Techniques - M.B. McMath Professional Theatrical Audition Tips - Millie Ann Shipe Video Professional Film and Commerical Audition Tips - Millie Ann Shipe Video


THEATRE LITE

		10 Things to Know Before Taking a Shakespeare Class Taught by a Very Important Instructor Who's Worked with the Globe Theatre forgodssake

		SHAKESPEARE MASTER CLASS (YouTube Video) Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry's gentle 1986 spoof of Royal Shakespeare Company co-founder John Bartom