Matthew Brian Taylor
COUNT ON ME / WILD SCIENCE
Teaching artist and professional magician, Matthew Taylor, has been bringing the wonder of live magic into schools for 38 years. His interactive programs combine laughter, participation, and amazement with meaningful connections to social-behavioral skills, literacy, science, and problem-solving.
Programs are designed to be engaging for students while giving teachers meaningful connections to classroom learning. Some programs are also available virtually as live Zoom presentations. Please inquire for the current list of virtual programs with education@cincinnatiarts.org.
The School Friend Show
Count on Me! Series
Curriculum Connections: Social-Behavioral Skills, Theatre
Great for: SEL programs • character education • bullying prevention • school culture initiatives
Can magic help make a school a better place?
Matthew uses comedy, magic, and audience participation to explore friendship, cooperation, and bullying prevention. Students discover practical “magic words” and strategies for getting along, working together, including others, and making positive choices in their classroom and school community.
Students will:
- Explore what it means to be a good friend and teammate.
- Discover positive ways to respond to conflict and include others.
- Learn simple strategies they can use to help create a more positive school environment.
Recommended Grades: K - 6th
Length: 45 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: Small group - 35 students; Large group - school-wide
Cost: Small group – $325 / $150 each additional session
Large group – $475 / $325 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom; Large group - Gym/Cafeteria
How to Be a Super Hero
Count on Me! Series
Curriculum: Social-Behavioral Skills, Theatre
Great for: character education • leadership programs • SEL initiatives • school-wide programs
You don't need superpowers to be a hero!
Matthew uses magic, comedy, and audience participation to show students how everyday choices can make a difference at home, at school, and in their community.
Students discover three simple steps to becoming a real-life hero: helping others, taking responsibility, and working together to make a difference. Along the way, they learn that leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room—it is about listening, helping, taking responsibility, and making positive choices.
Students will:
- Explore what everyday leadership looks like.
- Discover ways they can help at home, at school, and in their community.
- Practice the importance of listening, responsibility, cooperation, and kindness.
Recommended Grades: K - 6th
Length: 45 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: Small group - 35 students; Large group - school-wide
Cost: Small group – $325 / $150 each additional session
Large group – $475 / $325 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom; Large group - Gym/Cafeteria
Ready, Set, Read!
Count on Me! Series
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Theatre
Great for: literacy programs • library programs • reading celebrations • book fairs • school reading initiatives
Turn a trip to the library into a magical adventure!
Matthew uses magic, humor, and storytelling to help students discover the secrets of the library and the power of reading. Students explore the Dewey Decimal System, discover the “secret powers” of a library card, and learn how to make every book an adventure.
Whether students choose fiction or nonfiction, the goal is the same: to help them become curious, confident, and enthusiastic readers.
Students will:
- Explore how the Dewey Decimal System helps organize information.
- Discover how a library card opens the door to a world of knowledge and stories.
- Explore the differences between fiction and nonfiction.
- Discover ways to make reading a fun and rewarding experience.
Recommended Grades: K - 6th
Length: 45 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: Small group - 35 students; Large group - school-wide
Cost: Small group – $325 / $150 each additional session
Large group – $475 / $325 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom; Large group - Gym/Cafeteria
Method Madness: The Scientific Method
Wild Science Series
Curriculum Connections: STEM, Theatre
Great for: science units • STEM programs • Scientific Method • problem-solving • Science Week
What if your brain is the trick?
In this high-energy Wild Science program, magic becomes a laboratory for exploring the Scientific Method. Matthew shows students that what we think we see isn't always what is really happening—and that careful observation, questioning, testing, and evidence can help us solve problems.
Every magic trick becomes a science experiment as students learn to look closely, question their assumptions, make observations, and use evidence to figure out how the trick works.
Students will explore:
- Observation and careful attention.
- Asking questions and making predictions.
- Testing ideas and examining evidence.
- Using the Scientific Method as a tool for problem-solving.
- Why our brains can sometimes lead us to the wrong conclusion.
Recommended Grades: K - 6th
Length: 50 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: Small group - 35 students; Large group - school-wide
Cost: Small group – $325 / $150 each additional session
Large group – $475 / $325 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom; Large group - Gym/Cafeteria
Trash Magic
Wild Science Series
Curriculum Connections: STEM, Social Studies, Theatre
Great for: Earth Day • environmental units • recycling programs • sustainability initiatives • STEM programs
What happens to your trash after the garbage truck leaves?
Matthew turns recycling and waste reduction into a magical investigation of what happens to the things we throw away.
Students explore the science and choices behind reducing, reusing, and recycling while discovering how everyday decisions can affect our communities and environment. Turning trash into treasure may look like magic, but it takes equal parts science, creativity, and dedication.
Students will:
- Explore where trash goes after it leaves the classroom or home.
- Investigate the ideas behind reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Consider how everyday choices affect our environment.
- Discover how science and creativity can help us think differently about waste.
Recommended Grades: K - 6th
Length: 50 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: Small group - 35 students; Large group - school-wide
Cost: Small group – $325 / $150 each additional session
Large group – $475 / $325 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom; Large group - Gym/Cafeteria
Science is Magic Workshop
Wild Science Series
Curriculum Connections: STEM, Theatre
Great for: hands-on STEM enrichment • science programs • science clubs • follow-up workshops
Don't just watch the magic—learn how to make it!
This hands-on workshop explores the surprising connection between science and magic. Students roll up their sleeves and discover firsthand how observation, practice, cause and effect, and careful attention can turn a mysterious magic effect into an experiment they can investigate.
Students also explore the fascinating history of a classic magic prop and discover the surprising role educators played in its development.
The workshop can stand alone or serve as a hands-on follow-up to What Does It Matter? or Method Madness.
Students will:
- Investigate the science behind simple magic effects.
- Practice careful observation and attention to detail.
- Explore cause and effect through hands-on activities.
- Discover how practice and experimentation can improve performance and problem-solving.
Recommended Grades: K - 12th
Length: 45 minutes
Maximum # Participants per session: 30 students
Cost: $325 / $150 each additional session
Maximum # Sessions per day: 4 performances per day; no shows before 9:00 AM
Space Requirement: Small group - Classroom