Recommended by Shaun Leisher

Young women in sports seems to have become a big genre of new work in the past couple years so it was nice to read such a fresh take on it. This play is about betrayal and ambition but also about the kindness and love that can be found between people on a team. These characters are so fleshed out and I can’t wait to see actors take them on.

Really fresh take on Chekhov. Stays true to the heart of the original while completely modernizing and subverting it. Brilliant use of the Chekhov’s Gun motif!!

A true ensemble piece that goes places you really don’t see coming. I’m a big fan of workplace narratives and the relationships made between co-workers. Really enjoyed spending time in this bookstore with these complicated characters and really hope this play gets many productions.

I love this play sooo much!! These are the conversations happening in theatre that I am deeply passionate and to have them come out of the mouths of 14 year olds is brilliant!! Love how complicated and fully formed these characters are and how none of them feel like stereotypes. This play also has one of the best lines I’ve read in a script recently: “ We need to de-stigmatize menstruation. And that starts in musical theatre.”

Such a unique post-apocalyptic play. Can’t say that what will happen to NY and LA acting communities was a big concern of mine when it comes to the looming threat of climate change but I’m glad this play is here to help me see what that could look like and more importantly what Chicago will be doing as the future theatre capital of the nation. This play oozes with anxiety for the future as well as frustration with the present.

Wow!!! This 2-hander knocked my socks off!! Lucas’ misguided advocacy is hilarious because of how true it feels. People like this exist and I’m glad this play exists to put a spotlight on what happens when liberal ideals and white guilt goes very wrong.

Another brilliant play by Brenner that plays with our concept of time and reality while also teaching us so much about life. Brenner takes on the idea of codependency and toxic relationships in such a visceral and often times uncomfortable way. Hopefully when we are all able to gather again we are able to sit in the discomfort and insight this play produces.

A short play set in a futuristic world with new technology but problems that are definitely not new. These characters feel so truthful as they express their fears and insecurities in the face of such an important decision in this dystopian world.

On the page this play seems like it would be impossible to stage and the playwright is very up front about that. They throw out the challenge and I hope someone accepts. Labotka has crafted an incredible dystopian world with its own rules and language. It’s full of action and adventure and says some really interesting things about the exploitation of artists. SOMEBODY PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!!

Really loved this bold adaptation of such a well-known story. Labotka is great at finding the connections between the elements of the Oz story and the struggles of those dealing with mental illness today. The transitions between the fantasy and reality worlds are so effective. Excited to see an adventurous team of artists take on this play!