Matthew J. Merrill

Matthew J. Merrill has over 20 years of experience in youth development and nonprofit leadership. He has degrees in Public Relations and Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since leaving his first career at the YMCA and his home state of Wisconsin in 2015, he has served as the Director of Development and Grant Writer for Chicago Children's Theatre, one of the nation's premier professional theatre companies for young audiences and their families. In addition to writing, theatre, and youth work, Matt has run more than 12 marathons and remains passionate and loyal to his Wisconsin sports teams. He lives in Chicago with his wife Martha, two children Harper and Cooper, and two dogs Luna and Milligan. RIP Charley, our first and forever pup.

About The Cat House Tweens

A person can feel pretty small in a big space. What is worse is when that small, insignificant person, or group of people, knows there is a whole universe out there beyond reach. Like being stuck in a sucky, tiny Midwestern town with a welcome sign that proudly boasts, "More Bullheads Than People."

The Tweener Wieners, as they are known consisting of M.J., Izzy, Charlie, and Jeremy, live in that town and they know that feeling. That is the quandary that leads the newly budded teenagers to hatch a plan they call, "One Great Idea," to gain fame, fortune, autonomy, and freedom- the American way!

It turns out it is not that easy. Along the way, they face less-than-supportive parents, town gossips, legends, ghosts, Cornmen, and a crazy dancing Katman. Will the Cat House Tweens escape? Why are they called the Tweens if they are teens? What is a Cornman anyway? A Katman? Do small towns actually suck? Or can people find new hope, new perspectives, and new friends rendering them more powerful than they ever could have imagined? Read, "The Cat House Tweens," NOW to find out!