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Matt Buchanan

Matt Buchanan

Matt Buchanan is a New England-based professional playwright, composer and director specializing in theatre with and for young people. His more than two dozen published plays and musicals have been performed across the United States and on every continent but Antarctica. He has directed more than one hundred productions with young casts and is the author of Directing Kids: A Comprehensive How-To Manual for Directors of Plays and Musicals with Casts of Young People from a Veteran Drama Teacher and Director, published by YouthPLAYS. He is also an accomplished musician and multi-instrumentalist. Matt has a BA in Music from Harvard College and an MFA in Child Drama from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Works by Matt Buchanan

Musicals Alice on the Other Side cover Musical Alice on the Other Side Follow Alice as she discovers the bewildering world on the other side of the mirror in this musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. 90-100 min 6-30+ females, 6-30+ males (12-50+ performers possible).
Full-Length Plays An Avalanche of Murder cover Mystery/Suspense An Avalanche of Murder In this affectionate spoof of old-fashioned murder mysteries, will the two youngest members of the Hopkins family figure out who's killing off their relatives before there's nobody left? 75-85 min 8-11 females, 5-7 males (13-16 performers possible).
Shorts The Bird cover Comedy The Bird A titmouse among the bus-stop pigeons—a messenger from God? A twisted encounter between strangers. 8-10 min 2 males (or 2 females).
Shorts Frankie Gets it Right cover Comedy Frankie Gets it Right Frankie is sent to the market for groceries, but will forgetful Frankie remember what to buy? 9-12 min 9 any gender, plus flexible nonspeaking ensemble (9-30 performers possible).
Performable Collections It's Elementary! Twelve Short Plays for Upper Elementary School Actors cover Performable Collection It's Elementary! Twelve Short Plays for Upper Elementary School Actors Whether it's navigating an unfamiliar environment, coping with learning differences at school or taking on new responsibilities, these twelve short plays ranging from large-cast comedies to meaty dramas explore the age-appropriate concerns of upper elementary age students. 10-140 min Individual casts range from 2-30+ performers, with over 100 roles in all.
Shorts Larry of the Lake cover Comedy Larry of the Lake A harried businessman is tempted to a life of irresponsibility by a mysteriously wet man. 8-10 min 2 males.
Musicals One Smart Pig cover Musical One Smart Pig A respectful yet hilarious take on a traditional fairy story of three young pigs and their battle with the Bad Wolf, with eleven original songs, all carefully written to work well with young voices. 45-55 min 5-20 females, 3-20 males (8-40+ performers possible).
Musicals Prince Ugly cover Musical Prince Ugly What is a true friend? A fun, often zany contemporary musical fairy tale about identity and friendship. 100-110 min 7+ females, 6+ males (15-50+ performers possible).
One-Act Plays Two Dudes from Daytona cover Comedy Two Dudes from Daytona Two young men trying to make it in the big, bad city fall for the same girl—with hilarious results. 55-65 min 7-17+ females, 6-16+ males, (15-30+ performers possible).
One-Act Plays The Unscary Ghost cover Comedy The Unscary Ghost What do you do when you're a ghost, but nobody is afraid of you? 40-50 min 5 females, 3 males, 8+ any gender (13-30+ performers possible).
Bundles Shakespeare and Company Script Bundle cover Genre varies by title Shakespeare and Company Script Bundle A baker's dozen "Shakespeare-adjacent" plays that range from updated takes on the Bard's classics to titles inspired by the work and lives of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. 30-120 min Varies by title.
Book Directing Kids cover Book Directing Kids Directing the school play for the first time? Or maybe you've been directing plays with young people for a while, but are always looking for ways to improve. Anyone who wants to help young casts create memorable theatrical experiences for themselves and their audiences will benefit from Directing Kids, a comprehensive guide to directing and producing plays with young people.
Book Go Solo: Contemporary Monologues for Young Actors cover Book Go Solo: Contemporary Monologues for Young Actors A diverse collection of more than six dozen monologues from plays published by YouthPLAYS, for young actors ranging from middle school through university, ideal for auditions, classroom work and competition. Available as a paperback book for individual use or as an ebook that includes a photocopy license for classroom use.