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:

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS:

  • A FORM OF FLATTERY will receive a staged reading as part of InHouse Theatre’s Celebration of New Plays in Los Angeles October 18. Readings will be happening all day and you can get a ticket for the whole shebang for cheap cheap right here.

  • GIN MUMMY will go up at The University of South Florida in November 2025.

  • PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will go up at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre (Utah) in November and December 2025. (If you are close by, get your tickets now; they have added performances, but it’s selling fast.)

  • In July, Mel workshopped her adaptation of Kelly Barnhill’s THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON at Stages Theatre Co. (Minnesota). The play will go up in March 2026. Tickets.

  • Jane Austen’s PERSUASION will go up at the Wayne Theatre (Virginia) in February 2026, at Michigan State University in April 2026, and at the Creekside Theatre Fest (Utah) in June 2026.

All six episodes of Mel’s audio 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. The performances are wonderful — including narration by Shani Wallis (Nancy in the Best Picture winner OLIVER!) — so be sure to give it a listen!

RECENT PRODUCTIONS:

  • GIN MUMMY received a staged reading at Grinnell College (Iowa) August 30.

  • A sold-out staged reading of PILOT PROGRAM happened August 2 at the Compass Gallery in Provo (Utah).

  • Mel’s commission to adapt Gertrude Chandler Warner’s family classic THE BOX-CAR CHILDREN opened the 2025 Creekside Theatre Fest in June! Check out this stellar review.

  • The Wayne Theatre (VA) toured THE EDIBLE COMPLEX in March 2025.

  • Mel’s latest TYA play, SNAIL MAIL, had a table read in Plan-B Theatre’s Lab in February 2025.

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

  • “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