Welcome

Hi! I’m Mel and I'm a writer. Feel free to browse the site to find out about me and my work. Don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more. Thanks for stopping by! This is what I’m up to at the moment:

The first few episodes of Mel’s audio drama adaptation of Jane Austen’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (with exclusive, expanded content) are now live on Dramafy.com. The adaptation was produced by Dramafy in association with UK-based theatre company Little Pixie Productions. There are six half-hour episodes in total, with a new episode available each week. The performances are wonderful—including narration by Shani Wallis (Nancy in the Best Picture winner OLIVER!) so be sure to check it out!

Mel created the story and wrote the book for a new musical, LITTLE PIECE OF YOU (formerly RELATIVE SPACE) featuring original songs written by rising recording star Kjersti Long.

The cast for LITTLE PIECE OF YOU: David Bedella as Ethan; Mica Paris as Shannon; Dujonna Gift as Britt; Kjersti Long as Sydney Hill. LITTLE PIECE OF YOU will receive a concert staging at Theatre Royal Drury Lane October 31 - November 1.

 

IN THE THEATRE:

 

From the world premiere of Rabindranath Tagore’s THE POST OFFICE, adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson, at Plan-B Theatre Company (Jerry Rapier, artistic director, and Cheryl Cluff, managing director) in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 24–26, 2019. Directed by Adam Wilkins; set and prop design by Madeline Ashton, assisted by Zach Scarborough; costume design by Maddiey Howell-Wilkins, assisted by Caitie Neilson; lighting design by Pilar Davis, assisted by Avero Larson; and sound design by Cheryl Cluff, assisted by Travis Fullerton. Actors: Alexis Bitner; Elaia Echeverria; Kaplan Keener; Sarah D'Anella; Melainey Isaac; Hunter Oliphant; Andrew Pankey ; Emily Tippetts; Carter Wagstaff; Jevahjire France; Tyrah Sanchez. Photo by Rick Pollock.

 

IN THE PRESS:

RECENT REVIEWS:

  • “Snow College choosing to visit [Larson’s] classic adaptation of Persuasion is exciting, and worth the drive to San Pete County.” — Maren Scriven, Utah Theatre Bloggers

  • “For Pictures at an Exhibition: ReFramed, the Performing Arts Coalition of the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts passed the test of full collaboration with top honors, to the energetic roar of approval from a sold-out house at The Rose’s Jeanné Wagner Theatre.” — Les Roka, The Utah Review

  • “Audiences will love local playwright Larson’s adaptation [of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE]. She brings the characters to life and honors the best parts of Jane Austen’s legacy.” — Jane Smith, Front Row Reviewers

  • “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a ticket to this performance will find themselves thoroughly delighted.” — Scott Savage, Utah Theatre Bloggers

  • “Bitter Lemon is a prized chamber theater jewel.” — Les Roka, The Utah Review

  • “This understated two-person show [BITTER LEMON] is thought-provoking and visceral. Larson is a celebrated Utah playwright for a reason, and this show is no exception.” — Ashlei Havili Thomas, Front Row Reviewers

  • UTBA reviewer Tara Haas wrote: “The most innovative production that I saw this year was RELATIVE SPACE: AN ATYPICAL MUSICAL… the musical comes together as a deeply emotional and powerfully moving story about topics that I wish we would explore more on stage.”

  • UTBA reviewer Rachel Wagner highlighted PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as one of the best plays she saw all year (and she saw a lot): “It was a perfect adaptation. I enjoyed it so much that I saw it three times.”

OTHER RECENT HAPPENINGS:

  • Creekside Theatre Fest has commissioned Mel to adapt Gertrude Chandler Warner’s THE BOX-CAR CHILDREN for their 2025 season.

  • Mel was invited to contribute a 10-minute play, “Secrets,” to a collection of shorts for teens touching on issues of mental health and wellness called Pieces of Mind. The work was commissioned by Orlando Family Stage, the University of Central Florida, and YouthPLAYS, in partnership with Orange County Public Schools. The plays are available for perusal or licensing, either individually or as a set, through YouthPLAYS.com.

  • Mel wrote the script for PICTURES AT THE EXHIBITION: REFRAMED, an evening celebrating the six resident companies of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. This one night only production sold out completely and was a huge success.

  • Mel’s short play “A Burning in the Bosom” won second place in Wayfare Magazine’s inaugural 10-minute play contest. Read it here.

  • The film of Mel’s original short screenplay “Patience,” screened in June as a finalist for the 2023 Cannes Indie Shorts. Produced as part of Utah Valley University's annual FEMME Project, the film was directed by Chantelle Squires and shot by Bianca Cline, and features performances by Gail Bean, Marie-Françoise Theodore and Dan Lin. The crew comprised femme-identifying UVU film students.

  • MESTIZA, OR MIXED was one of five plays selected to receive staged readings as part of the Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival at American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg, Florida.

  • THE POST OFFICE was selected as a 2022 American Association for Theatre Education (AATE) Distinguished Play Award recipient! THE POST OFFICE is also available for licensing (both as a 55-minute play or as a 40-minute cut for competition) through YouthPLAYS and is being produced at schools across the country.

  • Mel’s book THIRD WHEEL, which comprises LITTLE HAPPY SECRETS and PILOT PROGRAM, has been included on a list of 100 significant works of Mormon Literature. The list was aggregated by a anonymous panel of LDS readers, librarians, and scholars. See the full list here.

  • Mel now has a Wikipedia Page (and no, she didn’t create it herself).