RETURN TO MELINDA
VISIT MOTHER (AND ME)
Solo show workshops with Melinda Buckley
“MELINDA BUCKLEY is a very accomplished, whip-smart solo show writer, performer, director and teacher — whose sharp nose for story, keen director’s eye and warm, caring heart can’t be beat. She’ll help you zero in on the parts of your life story that will make a killer one-person play, and then give you the tools and support you need to make it a smash success!”
— Matt Hoverman, Emmy award winning writer and founder of GO-SOLO.org
Believe in the power of ONE
The Power of ONE
story
A well told story - your story - can change lives.
Because there’s someone out there who needs to hear it.
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Our goal is to help you discover your story and learn how to best tell it.
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That’s how we change the world: ONE story, ONE person, ONE life at a time.
About
I’m Melinda Buckley, a Broadway performer and stand up comedian who’s written and performed several solo shows in NYC. (For information on my award winning solo show, Mother(and Me), visit motherandmetheplay.com) Recently, I served as the associate artistic director of Go-Solo.org with Matt Hoverman, NYC’s premiere solo show teacher. Now I am excited to offer my own series of classes and workshops for both aspiring and seasoned solo performers.
If you’re new to our solo community and would like to learn more about our curriculum, positive teaching philosophy or anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How It Works
At ONE UP! SOLO, we break down the process and we build on strengths.
Through a series of fun writing and improv exercises:
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We’ll explore structure and provide concrete storytelling tools
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We’ll encourage deep dives into your own creative impulses
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We’ll help craft a polished and exciting performance
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And finally, we’ll touch on pitching, marketing and finding opportunities for your show
CLASSES
ONE UP! INtrO
For students who want to kick off an idea for a solo show while focusing on a solid story structure. This is a 4-week class that mines your impulses through exercises while also introducing successful solo show structure.
ONE UP! Next
For students who have developed an idea and now want to expand it into a longer piece. This is a 7-week class that culminates with a recorded performance of developed material in front of a supportive audience.*
ONE UP! READY
For students who have a lot of material and want to develop a solid 40-45 minute solo show that is ‘submission ready’ for festivals and theaters. This 10-week class will also touch on marketing basics and each show will be recorded in its entirety. *
One on ONE UP!
My mission is to create a program that fully prepares solo artists and helps them exceed their goals in a caring and supportive environment. Sometimes that means working ONE on ONE. We can do that either in person or via Zoom. Get in touch to learn more about how we can fast track your show by working privately.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Ann Talman
I have now developed two solo shows with Melinda Buckley in her One Up Solo Workshops: Who's Afraid of Elizabeth Taylor, a solo play and The Shadow of Her Smile, a cabaret which just debuted at NYC's Feinstein's/54 Below to a sold out house and rave reviews.
I urge anyone who wants to create a solo show in any form to take her workshops!
Pia Salk
Melinda offers the perfect balance of wisdom, support and structure. She also has a knack for bringing out the best in her students.
I've taken 2 of her classes and will surely be back for an encore.
Lauren Letellier
I went to Melinda's class with a notebook full of anecdotes. She helped me find the connective tissue, knitting those scribbles together into a hilarious and heartbreaking fish-out-of-water story that has been accepted into Festivals, and continues to grow. I can't speak highly enough about her wit, wisdom, and compassion as a teacher. Melinda is a gifted guide who will help you find and tell your own story.
Stephanie Williams
Melinda has such a warm and personable spirit. She made me feel like she wanted me to win.
I learned so much in such a short period of time, which has given me the confidence to continue moving forward.
I loved taking Melinda's Buckley's class!
I knew from the very first session that I was in just the right hands! Her approach to writing a solo show is clear, insightful, and always on point.
Michael Garfield Levine
Suzie Cho
Melinda is so supportive and kind, and has a wonderful sense of theme and story structure. She is a dedicated teacher who will point you in the right direction!
I had a bunch of stories, but only a vague idea of how to string them together.
One UP! Solo helped me find structure, and really made my show... a show!
Gael Shaefer
Sean M. Bailey
The writing assignments were fun, yet always challenging in just the right way. My time in with Melinda has inspired me to get serious about developing a one-person show.
“The shortest distance between two people is a story.”
– Patti Digh
Contact
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions regarding our new classes or to schedule a short interview! And if you’d like to receive our bi-weekly newsletter with inspirational tips, solo success stories and upcoming performance opportunities, please subscribe below!
Melinda Buckley @ 2025 | design: mtholmesdesign.com