Recommended by Shaun Leisher

Lots of outrageous stage directions that I can't wait to see a director and design team make happen in a production. I loved how unapologetic this play is when it comes to its queerness. This isn't a play about coming out or about trauma. It's a play about hot queer people being messy and complicated and just trying to figure out what the next right thing to do is. I loved how epic the stakes in this play get by the end. It goes from an intimate human/ooze monster drama into an epic battle against good and evil.

The playwright is so smart to set this play in a location where strangers are forced to interact with each other. It beautifully sets up the opportunity for these characters to form a bond. We don't know a ton about these characters coming in except that they are both deeply impacted by cancer. The gradual revelation of information was so effective in this piece. This play tackles some really heavy theme but it also makes room for small moments. This play has an amazing role for a trans actor and I hope it has a long life.

At first, I thought this play was going to revolve around the mystery of a murder Was I wrong? In the end, it doesn't even really matter what exactly happened to Amir Montez. Instead this is a play about obsession. For Nicolet, it is an obsession with words and her status as a linguist. For Magdalena, it's an obsession with being needed and having someone to care for. These characters should not work together but Diaz has crafted their relationship in a way that you can't look away from. Wonderful piece of queer representation.

This feels like a classic memory play but the playwright makes it completely her own. I was so moved by how this play explores themes like trans identity and religion. All three of these deceased characters have faced discrimination in their own way. They all have specific memories where people let hate dictate how they treat people. These characters could have hid themselves but instead they leaned into their identities with pride. I really loved this play and I think audiences will too.

This is definitely not a part of Incan history that I learned about in school. This play feels so well-researched considering that so little is actually known about the historic figure that has come to be known as Felipillo. Who did Felipillo actually betray. His people or those that conquered them? This play asks these questions in such a unique way where time and reality is constantly being played with. This is a play that forces the audience to consider who gets to decide whose history is worth remembering.

I love when playwrights completely break the rules when it comes to what a well-made play should be. This is a collection of moments and memories from the playwright's life all told by an ensemble of actors that play multiple roles. It's a play about being gay in the modern age. It's a play about growing apart from one's family. It's a play about wanting to find better ways to approach life with the limited time we have. This must be so fun to perform. Chad Kaydo is one of the most exciting writers working today.

Mannix has created a brilliant one act horror play that also serves as a bold adaptation of an Old Testament story. Information is revealed only when needed making the writing so effective at creating tension. I loved how nothing in this play is exactly how it seems at first. Everyone is hiding something and it is so satisfying when secrets are revealed. We don't get all the answers in this play and I'm so glad for the mysteries we are left with. Produce this play. Great design potential.

I was so captivated by the relationship between these two cousins. A gorgeous reminder of our mortality. An exploration of masculinity, love and the destruction of our planet. Really made me think of my own life as I get older with each passing year. Really made me think of my own connection to the people that matter most in my life. The framing device of the waves to show the passing of time was so effective. I'd love to see this produced. So much potential for adventurous acting choices and choreography.

Vansant does a great job at creating a piece so focused on a specific place and how it can impact people over time. This play does a really effective job at exploring the climate crisis. It manages to comment on the state of our earth through these three intimate moments. I thought it was also really beautiful how this play looks at the way society views queerness over time. I'd love to see how actors and a director pulls this play off. How do the differentiate between the characters? This would be a fun play to do.

This play takes a look at the results of trauma in a really interesting way. It's not very often we get to explore the way a survivor addresses their feelings towards those that stick around and want to help. I really felt for Narcissa and her fears about how Echo's feelings for her might change. The dialogue between Narcissa and Reflection is so well-written. Reflection serves their purpose well as the voice of reason. They compassionately question Narcissa's concerns and helps them see reality. Great roles for actresses.