This one is especially my jam in terms of theme, so perhaps a bit biased, but... Well-rounded scientist women characters? An entomologist who gets metaphysical when she sleeps? A fight sequence between insects? It's buzz-tacular! Its magical realism is cleverly and creatively crafted. This play is such an effective vehicle for varying personalities and different generations trying to find a way to communicate with each other, survive, and fight against patriarchy. I especially admire the ways in which its fully formed characters challenge and rewrite stereotypes about women in science. I want to see this produced! #SparkFest24

BUZZ is filled with magic in every crevice, whether it is a scene that (masterfully) uses magical realism or not. How VILLANUEVA writes about institutional misogyny, ageism, and ecological disaster, and yet keeps a strong undercurrent of softness, heart, and friendship flowing throughout is a true marvel. The characters, the theatricality, the story, the themes - everything comes together to create a truly exciting, tantalizing, and thoughtful show that artists would be lucky to be a part of.

If you think Nature is brutal, try being a woman in Science, where sexism and ageism is not entirely dissimilar to what hornets do to bees. Of course, with hornets, it’s instinct and with people, it’s a choice - one necessitating equally brutal decisions like the ones Alicia makes for herself. Her mission: save American bees from an invasion of hornets. It’s good for the bees, the environment, and her career – an enlightened self interest.

Villanueva gives us three vividly complex women, a terrifying manifestation of evil, and eye-popping theatricality. A dream for actors and especially designers!