Recommended by Jelisa Jay Robinson

  • This Will Be Our Year
    24 Aug. 2022
    This is a beautiful, funny and heartbreaking play that tells the story of two people and their forbidden love. It's fast paced, witty and touches deep into the soul and the heartstrings! I was wondering whether to root for the two or not, and that's the beauty of Ali's writing. She succeeds at giving incredibly flawed human beings a platform to be who they are; an everlasting connection to people reading or listening to the play.
  • small town icons
    1 May. 2022
    This play took me on a journey. There were moments were I laughed. Moments where anger boiled inside of me. Moments where I did both. The dark comedic vibe kept me hooked and invested in the characters. I would love to see this work on its feet in someone's season!
  • Paletas de Coco or, The Letter Unspoken or, The Christmas Eve Play
    27 Jun. 2020
    This play is honest. Open your diary and read honest. That honesty works. Watching it being performed felt like sitting with a friend or a family member. Each character, moment and scene was clearly painted with the words. If you are interested in an emotional experience that tugs at your heart, this play is it.
  • The Mamalogues
    28 May. 2020
    This play is a love letter to mothers who are Black women. This is appreciation for all that they do. This play had me thinking of the sacrifices that my mother, grandmother and great grandmother made so that their descendants could be here today. This play made me laugh, and think. Thank you for this piece. Thank you.
  • Más Cara
    24 May. 2020
    This is piece is pure poetry. It sings on the page, and on stage. The language is real, and witty. The each one of the characters is distinct and defined. It asks questions about what it means to make a place in the world, what it means to be woman, to be Latina, and to be human. I also love the addition of the Afrolatinx character (much needed in the theatre). This woman-centered work needs to live on the stages across the country.
  • What's Up With Marjorie?
    13 Apr. 2020
    I had the privilege of seeing this play at the Austin Latino New Play Festival and goodness this play touched me to my core. It was nice seeing a powerful, vulnerable and multifaceted range of women portrayed on stage. Cato writes with spunk, honesty and heart. What's Up with Marjorie? A lot. And you're gonna want to read/watch this play to find out!
  • in a word
    13 Apr. 2020
    This play tugs on the heart strings and offers a front seat into the reality of grief. The play on words, scene shifts and use of flashback serve the story well. But it's the characters and their unfolding realities that kept me on the edge of my seat.
  • Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes
    17 Feb. 2020
    I am not going to lie, I cried the first time I read this play. This play is an honest, raw and heartfelt depiction of the effects of the prison industrial system on society today. It situates a real life scenario in the midst of personable characters. I love this piece.
  • Teen Dad
    17 Feb. 2020
    Dawes gives us realness, honesty and family dysfunction in Teen Dad. I felt for each of the characters and wanted each of them to succeed on their individual quest. This piece is funny, heartfelt and diffidently something you should be producing in your .theatre
  • Stew
    22 Sep. 2019
    I loved reading this play! It was funny, heartfelt and honest. It touched on some real topics between people in the diaspora. I can't wait to see this honest play on the stage.

Pages