Recommended by Shaun Leisher

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    Glad I didn't read the synopsis of this play. I feel like I don't get to read enough plays that truly surprise and blow all my expectations of how things will go after scene one completely out of the water. This play does that and it is one of the many reasons that I am glad that it exists. Another reason is that it explores the world of kink in the fat community is such an interesting and judgment-free way. Any yet another reason is that its a pure horror play that I can not wait to see fully staged.

    Glad I didn't read the synopsis of this play. I feel like I don't get to read enough plays that truly surprise and blow all my expectations of how things will go after scene one completely out of the water. This play does that and it is one of the many reasons that I am glad that it exists. Another reason is that it explores the world of kink in the fat community is such an interesting and judgment-free way. Any yet another reason is that its a pure horror play that I can not wait to see fully staged.

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    This is for sure a story that could be adapted for the screen but I'm so glad that Mirny could chose the stage. There are evocative stage pictures that I picture on botht the Broadway and black box college theatre level and at its core it's a play about people talking and connecting which is what I look for in theatre. I love that that it's a queer story where being queer is not the main character trait of these individuals and trauma is handled here with such care. I need to read Tillie Walden's stuff now.

    This is for sure a story that could be adapted for the screen but I'm so glad that Mirny could chose the stage. There are evocative stage pictures that I picture on botht the Broadway and black box college theatre level and at its core it's a play about people talking and connecting which is what I look for in theatre. I love that that it's a queer story where being queer is not the main character trait of these individuals and trauma is handled here with such care. I need to read Tillie Walden's stuff now.

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    A deep look at the world of kink and what our particular ones say about us disguised as a rom-com. A play that needs to be on the stage instead of the screen. The audience needs to sit in the discomfort of what these humans are saying and doing to each other. It's a play that in the hands of a skilled and sensitive intimacy director will take actors and audiences right to the edge when it comes to taboos in the bedroom. But trust me. It's really fucking funny too and the way reality is bent here was inspiring.

    A deep look at the world of kink and what our particular ones say about us disguised as a rom-com. A play that needs to be on the stage instead of the screen. The audience needs to sit in the discomfort of what these humans are saying and doing to each other. It's a play that in the hands of a skilled and sensitive intimacy director will take actors and audiences right to the edge when it comes to taboos in the bedroom. But trust me. It's really fucking funny too and the way reality is bent here was inspiring.

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    Plays about forced community is my bag and even better when it’s about one I’m not super familiar with. Safe havens for the queer community have always been a part of society but they seem to be more and more endangered due to capitalism and the rise of Christian nationalism. We needs plays like this to sound the alarm and mobilize the resistance. The play is also super horny and quite funny. Berry’s boldness when it comes to the sexuality is so refreshing and I hope it blows the wigs off the average theatre going crowd.

    Plays about forced community is my bag and even better when it’s about one I’m not super familiar with. Safe havens for the queer community have always been a part of society but they seem to be more and more endangered due to capitalism and the rise of Christian nationalism. We needs plays like this to sound the alarm and mobilize the resistance. The play is also super horny and quite funny. Berry’s boldness when it comes to the sexuality is so refreshing and I hope it blows the wigs off the average theatre going crowd.

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    My favorite part of engaging with experimental theatre is having my expectations completely subverted from the very beginning. I read the premise and thought I was walking into a lecture-like, fourth wall breaking exploration on revenge in media but where La Bella took me was far more satisfying. It's a play about the villains in the media of our youth and the ones we have built up in our heads. It's a memory play where the memory could not be more faulty. I hope to come across more more where personal lore is excavated.

    My favorite part of engaging with experimental theatre is having my expectations completely subverted from the very beginning. I read the premise and thought I was walking into a lecture-like, fourth wall breaking exploration on revenge in media but where La Bella took me was far more satisfying. It's a play about the villains in the media of our youth and the ones we have built up in our heads. It's a memory play where the memory could not be more faulty. I hope to come across more more where personal lore is excavated.

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    A moving one-act about growing up Black and how children are cut down at such a young age due to the color of their skin. The real world scenes make you feel you know these characters. Turner shows the nuances of being young and awkward so well. These are normal kids which makes what happens all the more jarring and tragic. The scenes in the afterlife are ones that I'm excited to see produced one day. The play gives no easy answers to what that place means or what it looks like. Leaves so much to adventurous creative teams.

    A moving one-act about growing up Black and how children are cut down at such a young age due to the color of their skin. The real world scenes make you feel you know these characters. Turner shows the nuances of being young and awkward so well. These are normal kids which makes what happens all the more jarring and tragic. The scenes in the afterlife are ones that I'm excited to see produced one day. The play gives no easy answers to what that place means or what it looks like. Leaves so much to adventurous creative teams.

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    Didn't know if this play was gonna work for me with characters communicating mostly over Zoom but Wallace kept me invested in these people and their relationships from beginning to end. Wallace perfectly conveys that feeling we had during lockdown of being connected with others but still very alone. They upped those stakes by further isolating the characters due to them being Black college dropouts. Wallace so effectively gives each character their own moment but it's the ensemble moments that really makes this play shine.

    Didn't know if this play was gonna work for me with characters communicating mostly over Zoom but Wallace kept me invested in these people and their relationships from beginning to end. Wallace perfectly conveys that feeling we had during lockdown of being connected with others but still very alone. They upped those stakes by further isolating the characters due to them being Black college dropouts. Wallace so effectively gives each character their own moment but it's the ensemble moments that really makes this play shine.

  • Shaun Leisher: ALL WE ARE IS, or fire & she who comes from it by juliany taveras
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    I am in complete awe by the fact that this was an undergrad thesis project. I also can't believe that it is not being produced everywhere at all times. A choreopoem about building community and fighting white supremacy in the arts. The spoken words are great but the stage directions really struck me. The playwright understands that theatre artists need freedom to make their work but they also make sure their vision of the mood of the piece is clear. The stage notes are so specific but leave lots of room for play.

    I am in complete awe by the fact that this was an undergrad thesis project. I also can't believe that it is not being produced everywhere at all times. A choreopoem about building community and fighting white supremacy in the arts. The spoken words are great but the stage directions really struck me. The playwright understands that theatre artists need freedom to make their work but they also make sure their vision of the mood of the piece is clear. The stage notes are so specific but leave lots of room for play.

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  • Shaun Leisher: He's Not Like That by Eleanor Evans-Wickberg
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    This be required viewing for incoming college freshman interested in getting involved with Greek Life. Frat houses should just open their doors, sit down, shut the fuck up and hear this play. A play about how those we love can do messed up things and hurt people. How we can do things that cross lines without meaning to but the impact remains. It's a play that gives no easy answers but it will start people talking. It will inspire men to hold each other accountable. The ending is beautiful and ripped my guts out.

    This be required viewing for incoming college freshman interested in getting involved with Greek Life. Frat houses should just open their doors, sit down, shut the fuck up and hear this play. A play about how those we love can do messed up things and hurt people. How we can do things that cross lines without meaning to but the impact remains. It's a play that gives no easy answers but it will start people talking. It will inspire men to hold each other accountable. The ending is beautiful and ripped my guts out.

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  • Shaun Leisher: Carbondale, IL by Claire Greising
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    I really love reading early plays by writers I admire and this was one that did not disappoint. There is something so young and wide-eyed about this play but also shows deep confidence in the writing of it. Yes it's a play about 2 people falling in love but not a typical romance at all. These characters are chaotic and make decisions that will certainly elicit a few "Oh, poor baby"s from the audience. I also love that this is a play set in a part of the country where it's believable to run into your doctor at the bar.

    I really love reading early plays by writers I admire and this was one that did not disappoint. There is something so young and wide-eyed about this play but also shows deep confidence in the writing of it. Yes it's a play about 2 people falling in love but not a typical romance at all. These characters are chaotic and make decisions that will certainly elicit a few "Oh, poor baby"s from the audience. I also love that this is a play set in a part of the country where it's believable to run into your doctor at the bar.

    ”