Author Archives: briang

Popularity Coach opens this October at The Rose

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My original play opens on the main-stage of The Rose Theater in Omaha NE this October.  After being delayed twice by COVID, I’m SO excited to have the world premiere this fall.  The show will be have 12 public performances and two weeks of school shows.

Parents and teachers always say “popularity doesn’t matter,” but for 4th graders Cooper and Mia, it is very important. Cooper is just not like the sports-playing, superhero-loving boys in his class. Mia also finds it challenging to be friends with her female classmates. When a popular 7th grader named Blake offers to be their Popularity Coach (for a low, low price) Cooper and Mia sign up, hoping maybe they’ll finally figure out how to win friends. But will Blake’s slick lessons on “How To Be Popular” make matters better…or worse?

https://www.rosetheater.org/shows/popcoach/

JESSE THE GREAT’s SURVIVAL GUIDE published in I HAVE A STORY

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I had the honor of collaborating with Jesse, an amazing teen from Dallas, to turn their experience during the pandemic into a ten minute play for the newly published anthology I HAVE A STORY.

Jesse is a brave, awesome middle school theater kid who uses they/them pronouns, deals with depression, and just had a crushing breakup right before the COVID pandemic shuts everything down.  Jesse is now sharing their survival guide (with some uninvited help from their loving mom) on what young people should and shouldn’t do when navigating depression during a pandemic.  You know, so you are ready for the next pandemic…or robot uprising…or zombie apocalypse.

https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/i-have-a-story

Trolls

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When the Olsen family camping vacation goes awry during a thunderstorm, the parents start telling campfire stories about trolls.   These stories come to life in the kids’ imagination as they hear the stories of  Buttercup (about a young boy who is tricked by two troll hags), the Eating Competition, and more.

Production History
2010 Omaha Theater Company Acting Class final project (Cutting),  2008 Papillion La Vista Network (youth production),

Click here to read a scene sample from Trolls

Go to the contact page to request a perusal copy of the play or inquire about royalties

Super Adventures of Nutrition Man and Dr. Exercise, The

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The Super Adventures of Nutrition Man & Dr. Exercise begins with the invited audience getting to see Nutrition Man’s top secret hideaway.  Unfortunately, the Super Sickly Slug has also infiltrated the secret lair.  When the villain eventually removes the memory of  Nutrition Man and his partner Dr. Exercise, the audience has to help the superheroes remember the importance of healthy choices before its too late!

Awards

2010 American Alliance for Theater Education (AATE) Unpublished Play Reading Winner

Production History
2008-current Professional Touring Production Omaha Theater Company (touring into the schools for 60 performances a year), 2010 Imagination Stage professional production

Cast Size:  for a minimum of 3 actors (2m/1f or 2f/1m) with doubling  can be easily expanded to 10

Click here to read a scene sample from the Super Adventures of Nutrition Man and Dr. Exercise

Go to the contact page for a full perusal copy or to inquire about royalties

Holiday Time Around the World

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An audience interactive play introducing audience members to holiday stories from Germany, Israel, Africa, Mexico, China and Russia

 

Production History
2011 Main-stage professional production Omaha Theater Company, 2007 Touring production CATS Theater in Arlington Texas, 2005 & 2006  Main-Stage professional production Omaha Theater Company, 2002-2004 Black Box Main Stage professional production Omaha Theater Company

Cast Size:  for a minimum of 2 actors (1m/1f), a 4 person version is available, could be adapted for a large youth production

Click here to read a scene sample from Holiday Time Around the World

Go to the contact page for a full perusal copy or to inquire about royalties

Where the Red Fern Grows

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Billy Colman, a young boy growing up in the Ozark Mountains during the Depression, is infected with the wonderful disease of puppy love at age 10.  His family can’t afford hunting dogs, so he saves dimes and pennies for 2 years to buy his dogs.  Billy teaches Ol’ Dan and Lil’ Ann everything they need to know about raccoon hunting.  These beloved hunting hounds end up teaching Billy about friendship, faith, and life itself.

Awards Winner of the 2002  American Alliance for Theater & Education Unpublished Play Reading Project

Selected Production History: mainstage production Omaha Theater Company in January 2000 as a mainstage production, national tour Omaha Theater Company 2001-2002, Lexington Children’s Theater 2004, Apple Tree Theater in Chicago 2006, A.D. Players in Houston 2007, Town Hall Theater in Dayton 2008, Barter Theater (regional tour) Virginia 2008

Cast Size a minimum of 2f/4m with several puppets, can be easily expanded to a cast of 10

Where the Red Fern Grows script sample

Go to the contact page for a full perusal copy or to inquire about rights

Old Yeller

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When his Papa leaves on a long cattle drive, fourteen year old Travis has to become the man of the family. Then Old Yeller, a mangy one-eared thieving mutt, shows up, and Travis wants nothing to do with him.  Old Yeller however proves to be a huge help to Travis and his family on the wild Texas frontier.  Strong and courageous, Old Yeller earns Travis’s love when the dog helps save the family from a bear, wild pigs and a rabid wolf.  However, when Old Yeller gets hydrophobia and must be shot, Travis is faced with the most difficult duty of his young life.

Awards: 2008 American Alliance for Theater and Education Unpublished Play Reading Award Winner

Production History: 2006 Omaha Theater Company Main-stage Production.  2007-08 Omaha Theater Company National Tour

Cast Size: a minimum of 3f/2m with lots of puppets, without doubling,cast can easily be expanded to a cast of up to 10 performers

Sample Scene from Old Yeller

Go to the contact page to get a full perusal copy or inquire about rights.