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Patrick Vermillion

Recommended by Patrick Vermillion

  • HOMUNCULUS by Andrew Piechota
    20 Oct. 2023
    “ Homonculus is nearly anthropological in how it manages to make our modern late-capitalist landscape look definitively alien. Piechota imbues a sophisticated mixture of pop culture, conspiracy, religion, and science that feels simultaneously familiar and mythological. And as he progresses into Cronenberg-adjacent territory to examine the relationship between bodies and technology, he uncovers something truly novel about our contemporary moment. A highly theatrical and entirely original work unlike anything I've read or seen this year. ”
  • GAZSCHEBET by Skyler Tarnas
    10 Oct. 2023
    “ Midsommar by way of Children of The Corn, Gazschebet is a terrifying (and frequently funny) horror play that explores the relationship between the rural and urban midwest. Skyler imbues the play with an immense layer of dread that lies thickly over the tense first act. When blood is finally drawn, the play explodes into a gory nightmare, never losing sight of the rich themes that lie underneath. It's the rare horror play that manages to be genuinely scary without losing its theatricality. Caught a reading of this and the whole room was on the edge of their seats. ”
  • Validation by Daphne Macy
    28 Jun. 2023
    “ Full of nuance and complication, this play manages to navigate a very loaded topic with sensitivity and grace. The two characters at the center are wonderfully realized and seeing them find solidarity in their corporate infrastructure is as compelling as it is rewarding. A great ten-minute piece! ”
  • Service/Play by Makeda M. Declet
    28 Jun. 2023
    “ Every single page of this play there is an amazing discovery that keeps you hooked straight through to the end. I love how Makeda tests the audience's moral compass by constantly shifting the context of who these people are and where their priorities lie. You never know what revelation is around the corner. It's also flat-out hilarious front-to-back. Can't recommend this one enough, you will not be able to put it down!! ”
  • The Captain by Kate McMorran
    24 May. 2023
    “ One of the funniest plays I've read in a long time. The characters are consistently surprising in their actions, inspiring equal amounts of delight and horror as we watch them try and fail to get what they want. But the play's biggest accomplishment is how in the specificity of its premise there is universality about the way we project ideas onto the people we love and how that reflects what we believe we deserve. It's all handled with immense depth and care that makes it equally funny and thoughtful. Highly recommended. ”
  • RACECAR RACECAR RACECAR by Kallan Dana
    9 May. 2023
    “ Soars off the page from the first word. Alternates between comedy, tragedy, psychological horror, and familial drama seamlessly. Never loses momentum as it rockets towards its inevitable and heartbreaking ending. Caught a reading of this play and it had the whole audience hooked from beginning to end. A must-read! ”
  • Nightwatch by Max Yu
    14 Mar. 2023
    “ Even on the page, this play feels so fully realized. The characters are complex and flawed, yet deeply empathetic. And the transitions between the naturalistic dialogue and the poetic soliloquies are so smooth you can almost see them play out before you. But what impressed me most was the pace: you are never bored, just consistently enraptured and eager to discover the next element of the story. It's always surprising, never cheap, and incredibly impactful. One of the best plays I've had the joy to read on this site ”
  • 404 Not Found by Lucas Baisch
    3 Mar. 2023
    “ Not to be hyperbolic but I'm 99% sure reading this play changed my life. Every single word is utilized so effectively. Every page evokes such a clear picture. It was a transcendent experience to read I can't even imagine how incredible it will be on the stage. ”
  • Mark Brown Is A Big Chicken by Zack Peercy
    2 Dec. 2022
    “ Zack has created groundbreaking work for young audiences and performers alike, offering a play that delivers a lesson on an under-discussed topic without ever condescending or talking down. The narrative centers disabled characters without simplifying or othering them. Instead, like every character in the play supporting or otherwise, they are presented as humans with a rich interiority and conflict both external and internal. Plus, the play itself is really funny. It's a play that shows that theatre for young audiences can still be complex and challenging. ”
  • Millennial Church OR What You’re REALLY Missing In That Yoga Class That You Signed Up For, Took One Session Of, Felt Really Good About, and Never Went Back To Again by Leah Roth Barsanti
    29 Oct. 2022
    “ Leah's masterful handle of tension makes for a play where you'll belly-laughing one minute and squirming in your seat the next. Every character is dynamic, fascinating, and deeply complex. A play that is unafraid of exploring the uncomfortable silence, smells, and thoughts that permeate when we are at our most vulnerable. Every scene surprised me and I was consistently amazed at how each character unfolded and unraveled as it continued. ”

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