←Recommendations of The House of Flightless Birds

THE HOUSE OF FLIGHTLESS BIRDS by Baylee Shlichtman is such a unique and poetic portrait of a family with all of its complications exposed. There's a beautiful tenderness throughout in sharp contrast to moments of high stakes and urgent decisions. I also loved the intersectionality of the characters, moving beyond limited stereotypes and centering identity in all its complexity.

I read this play from the list of Scripts That Center Characters with Disabilities by BIPOC Writers. It reminded me a lot of Edwin Sánchez's work, a high compliment. It has not been produced, and definitely should be.

This moving one act about brothers, family, and heartbreak is a riveting drama worth reading and producing. We are all a little broken, and our brokenness often hurts those we love most.

The stage images and the second-level language within this play is truly beautiful. Shlichtman's words and characters are carefully constructed. Poetic and powerful. Your eyes will be glued from start to finish. Can't wait to see a production of this play!

Heartbreaking and ringing true, The House of Flightless Birds is a captivating exploration of Latinx masculinity, family, trust, and vulnerability, and navigating that as an autistic person. Shlichtman has written a work that will scoop your heart out right out of your chest, whisper to it, and put it back — and you will be grateful for it.

What an exquisitely written portrait of two brothers. Mama and Papa are excellently rendered characters too, but at the center of this piece is a beautiful exploration of the tensions and closeness of Manuel and Augustin's relationship. Shlichtman's eye towards their intersectional identities is so nuanced and laser-focused. The language has a lyrical quality while remaining naturalistic and wonderfully observed, and some of the stage images and stage magic described were theatrical and a joy to envision in my mind's eye. I'd love to see this onstage!

A gorgeous, delicate yet concrete meditation on masculinity and brotherly bond. The main character is on the autism spectrum, and his journey is a revelation. Shlichtman has a deep understanding of her subject matter and is incredibly honest as she examines what the characters navigate as Latinx men.