Recommended by Julie Zaffarano

A chilling and emotional coming of age and horror story. Two teens are brought together through a mysterious and ancient map. The map’s motives become more and more suspect. As the teens navigate their relationship and longing for connection and understanding, we are drawn into their personal lives and fear for them.

Janis Willis crafts STEADFAST with a different take on suffragette stories. Willis’s style is natural and she sets a compelling story that interests. Her rapid dialogue makes this play a page turner as we wonder if the women be able to overcome their differences and unite for the cause. I was fortunate to read this play through #BAPF2021.

A heartfelt and hilarious play, with fun characters and a compelling story. We root for these flawed characters and cross our fingers tightly hoping for their reconciliation. The premise feels like fresh and modern take on a classic movie with high stakes. Well done.

A powerful play with unexpected twists, "The Baddest Kid on Emerson" takes us to very dark places where compassion is absent and disappointment turns to cruelty. Martin shows the world we live in is one we wish we never see.

A moving and layered play set in the future. While technologies have changed, people have not — hopes, ambitions, fears, and love still frame our lives and society. Eppchez! takes us a on us on a journey that we will not forget.

So much to love about this play! An absurdist, sci-fi play, with three people leaving earth for Mars. Hilarious dialog with line free line so funny that you want to pause to think about them, but you also can’t wait to see what these characters will say next. Underneath this dialog are true feelings of loss, fear, and despair. Well done.

A lovely and authentic monologue where a young woman explores her grief. Beautiful and vivid imagery of flowers and their meaning in a time of grief.

A beautiful coming of age story when friendship turns to romance -- and the confusion, longing, struggles, denials, betrayals that the young can't articulate. When these two meet and reflect together in maturity, the healing can begin.

So much to love in this brief, but emotionally-packed play. Imperfect relationships have a lasting effect on us, as we try to understand. This play comes from the heart.

BOOTS is a hilarious play that takes relationship issues to a new level. Within this delightful play with deliciously impossible characters, there is truth to trying to navigate a struggling relationship. Characters use avoidance, defensive accusations, pleading, and justification — familiar techniques in relationship discussions, but Rachael Carnes goes completely over the top with hilarious results.