Recommended by Shaun Leisher

  •

    It was so refreshing to come across a play about trans life that isn't solely about coming out, hate crimes or used to educated cis audiences. Reading this play just felt like being a fly on the wall as two friends talked their dating lives. Didn't need anything spelled out for me as was able to be engaged by these characters, their expertly crafted dialogue and the variety of storytelling methods utilized. The shifting narrators and switches between direct address and back and forth scenes kept me hooked the whole time.

    It was so refreshing to come across a play about trans life that isn't solely about coming out, hate crimes or used to educated cis audiences. Reading this play just felt like being a fly on the wall as two friends talked their dating lives. Didn't need anything spelled out for me as was able to be engaged by these characters, their expertly crafted dialogue and the variety of storytelling methods utilized. The shifting narrators and switches between direct address and back and forth scenes kept me hooked the whole time.

  •

    Perfect 10 minute play. Alberta just dives us head first into the scenario and demands we keep up. In the hands of a lesser playwright this could have felt like a sketch but instead we get to see real depth and growth with these characters in such a short time. We know nothing about what happened the moment before to either of them but we don't need to. We just need to know how Claudia shows up for Sofia and how they work together on the stain. I feel like this would be very fun to do in an actual laundromat.

    Perfect 10 minute play. Alberta just dives us head first into the scenario and demands we keep up. In the hands of a lesser playwright this could have felt like a sketch but instead we get to see real depth and growth with these characters in such a short time. We know nothing about what happened the moment before to either of them but we don't need to. We just need to know how Claudia shows up for Sofia and how they work together on the stain. I feel like this would be very fun to do in an actual laundromat.

  •

    A unique look at modern-day parenting that feels so theatrical and really leans into the magic that can only happen on stage. Goldman-Sherman does a great job here capturing the existential dread of what it means to provide for a small human. This felt very clown-inspired in a way that both looked at the absurdity of the concept of parenting and of staying attractive to one's partner. I think actors and directors would have a great time with this piece.

    A unique look at modern-day parenting that feels so theatrical and really leans into the magic that can only happen on stage. Goldman-Sherman does a great job here capturing the existential dread of what it means to provide for a small human. This felt very clown-inspired in a way that both looked at the absurdity of the concept of parenting and of staying attractive to one's partner. I think actors and directors would have a great time with this piece.

  •

    A faux documentary play about a school trying to put on the ultimate documentary play. Could have easily felt gimmicky and focused on form but instead this play looks at things like the exploration of sexuality and gender identity in one's youth to the power of realizing it is possible to grow old as a member of the LGBTQIA community. I love how flexible this cast is. I'd love to see the large cast production that feels like an entire town is represented on stage but the one with 5 versatile actors also excites me.

    A faux documentary play about a school trying to put on the ultimate documentary play. Could have easily felt gimmicky and focused on form but instead this play looks at things like the exploration of sexuality and gender identity in one's youth to the power of realizing it is possible to grow old as a member of the LGBTQIA community. I love how flexible this cast is. I'd love to see the large cast production that feels like an entire town is represented on stage but the one with 5 versatile actors also excites me.

  •

    It's exactly what the title says and it's quite a hoot. Loved being a fly on the wall as these gal pals catch up and yap about thrusting strap-ons up their partners butts. It's a brash and bawdy play that really goes there but also was moving in how it hands the idea of gender expansiveness. It was also a delightful depiction of a Mormon that isn't repressed or bigoted. I could see this play fitting in very well in a short play festival. Lots of laughs will be had but I think some tears might be shed too.

    It's exactly what the title says and it's quite a hoot. Loved being a fly on the wall as these gal pals catch up and yap about thrusting strap-ons up their partners butts. It's a brash and bawdy play that really goes there but also was moving in how it hands the idea of gender expansiveness. It was also a delightful depiction of a Mormon that isn't repressed or bigoted. I could see this play fitting in very well in a short play festival. Lots of laughs will be had but I think some tears might be shed too.

  •

    It was hard not to think of Oscar Wilde while reading this. It's a 19th century comedy of manners for the modern generation of gender expansive folx that The Importance of Being Earnest wishes it could be. Everyone in this play has something about them that is a little different than what's expected of them and they are all trying to supress it as they aim for a comfortable life. A life with a partner of the approved gender identity only though. The yearning these characters experience is palpable and kept me hooked.

    It was hard not to think of Oscar Wilde while reading this. It's a 19th century comedy of manners for the modern generation of gender expansive folx that The Importance of Being Earnest wishes it could be. Everyone in this play has something about them that is a little different than what's expected of them and they are all trying to supress it as they aim for a comfortable life. A life with a partner of the approved gender identity only though. The yearning these characters experience is palpable and kept me hooked.

  •

    It was refreshing to read this play on Juneteenth. Refreshing because it's play about Black people that's not about their oppression and their bodies are not under constant threat. This is a play about Black joy and Black utopia. The world-building in this play is phenomenal and I love how well-written each character is and how meticulously their place in this community is crafted. Every member of this cast (shout out to ensemble casts!!) is a distincly complex human and the way they relate together is so compelling.

    It was refreshing to read this play on Juneteenth. Refreshing because it's play about Black people that's not about their oppression and their bodies are not under constant threat. This is a play about Black joy and Black utopia. The world-building in this play is phenomenal and I love how well-written each character is and how meticulously their place in this community is crafted. Every member of this cast (shout out to ensemble casts!!) is a distincly complex human and the way they relate together is so compelling.

  • Shaun Leisher: JOY by Lex Thammavong
    “

    Suicide is explored here so unlike most plays I've read on the topic. Joy doesn't want to die but she is so very tired of living. That perspective is such a fresh one and is looked at with so much empathy and without giving easy answers. By introducing Jonah, the play leans towards the buddy comedy genre and even starts to feel like a fucked up Its A Wonderful Life. This play will in some ways give hope to the despairing and also show how death isn't something to be feared but just another adventure when it is time.

    Suicide is explored here so unlike most plays I've read on the topic. Joy doesn't want to die but she is so very tired of living. That perspective is such a fresh one and is looked at with so much empathy and without giving easy answers. By introducing Jonah, the play leans towards the buddy comedy genre and even starts to feel like a fucked up Its A Wonderful Life. This play will in some ways give hope to the despairing and also show how death isn't something to be feared but just another adventure when it is time.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Friendsgiving by Carina Kanzler
    “

    We get the art of about college life and post-grad but what about that stretch of time between the start of freshman year and Thanskgiving Break? So much changes. People become unrecognizable. Especially to those they've knowen their whole lives. Kanzler does a really good job showing a snapshot into the lives of 7 friends that want so many things to change and yet long for them to stay the same. The friendships we have in high school aren't always meant to last and this play beautifully shows how fragile they can be.

    We get the art of about college life and post-grad but what about that stretch of time between the start of freshman year and Thanskgiving Break? So much changes. People become unrecognizable. Especially to those they've knowen their whole lives. Kanzler does a really good job showing a snapshot into the lives of 7 friends that want so many things to change and yet long for them to stay the same. The friendships we have in high school aren't always meant to last and this play beautifully shows how fragile they can be.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Jephthah's Daughter's Name by Carina Kanzler
    “

    How could this play written at least 5 years ago have predicted the rise of Erika Kirk, Savanna Stone and the rest of this fascist movement to convince young women that their sole aim in life should be a dutiful wife and caring mother? Reading this play felt like I was overhearing conversations in the girls bunk on the countless church retreats I went on. Conversations trying to find their place in their faith community but also stay true to themselves. I admire the choice to not name these women but we all know who they are.

    How could this play written at least 5 years ago have predicted the rise of Erika Kirk, Savanna Stone and the rest of this fascist movement to convince young women that their sole aim in life should be a dutiful wife and caring mother? Reading this play felt like I was overhearing conversations in the girls bunk on the countless church retreats I went on. Conversations trying to find their place in their faith community but also stay true to themselves. I admire the choice to not name these women but we all know who they are.

    ”