Recommended by Shaun Leisher

I am such a huge fan of Catherine Weingarten. They are absolutely brilliant when it comes to taking pieces of classic theatre and putting it through a filter of modern-day text speak and internet culture. This riff on Godot set at Fyre Fest is amazing. I feel like we've all heard about what a shit show Fyre Fest was but Weingarten manages to bring something new to the subject. This play is absolutely hilarious but doesn't shy from some dark themes. Jenna and Clarabelle are such interesting characters.

A short play that says a lot about faith and the hypocrisy of organized religion with a lot of silly jokes. I enjoyed how the two nuns are written as polar opposites. One starts out devout and ends up questioning, while the other thinks it's all bullshit and has a change of heart. I could see a costume and set designer having a lot of fun with this play. A great opportunity for actors to work on a hilarious and crass piece of theatre that also has a point.

What an absolutely absurd piece of theatre. I was hooked from the start with the bizarre description of the apartment. The location doesn't make much sense and is a good visual cue for the strangeness that that will follow. I would love to see this produced. This would give actors a great challenge when it comes to making improbable dialogue and scenarios seem plausible. I would also love to see how props make the giant scissors. I'd love to see how designers pull off the whale puppet.

This play was a lot of fun to read. A delightful twist on the fable we all think we know. I really enjoyed what this play has to say about the state of elder care and second chances. Will really make me have a much more cynical look at Little Red from now on. This would be so much fun for actors. Lots of opportunities to hone one's comedic chops while also getting to perform in a piece that actually has something meaningful to say.

Who knew a play about the darkness of mental illness could bring this big of a grin to my face. Kantor does not shy away from issues like depression and suicide here but she does so with a perfect balance of humor and tenderness. I am in love with this friendship portrayed on these pages. A friendship that is about showing up and being there for the other person. A friendship where someone can get vulnerable about what it takes to remind themselves that life is worth living. And yes, sometimes that is a production of Seussical.

A wonderful play about a figure in the American Revolutionary War. I am so glad that Leff has take it upon herself to tell this tale. I really enjoyed reading this piece. I enjoyed getting to learn about Deborah Sampson and all she has done for her country. This ensemble is understandably male-heavy but Leff finds quiet moments to give voice to the various women that were doing their part for the war effort. This is a very physical piece of a theatre that I'd love to see a choreographer and fight director take on.

This is such a powerful play about three friends that are just trying to figure out what they mean to each other. There needs to be more plays like this that explore queer friendship in such a nuanced way. I loved how the cooler and the chicken salad serves as a motif throughout the piece. No matter what happens to them they will always be there for each other making chicken salad sandwiches. This is such a simple play. It's just three friends talking to each other but the personal stakes could not be bigger.

I am a huge fan of Ngozi Anyanwu. It's so rare to see stories about Black people that are actually from Africa. Kelechi and Beatrice are such fascinating characters. This play does not hold back when it comes to depicting how complicated motherhood can be. Kelechi may not have always been there for Beatrice but she is trying her hardest now. I also thought this play tackles the idea of wanted vs. unwanted pregnancies in such a moving way. I'm definitely going to be following this play on its developmental journey.

You might think this is an adaptation but you'd be wrong. This is a play about grief that tackles our current COVID era and honors those that have been lost during the pandemic. A meditation on gender and how fluid it can be. A look at the many forms that love can take and how the needs that come with it differ from person to person. I loved the way that kissing is used in this play to show how much affection is felt. A great ensemble piece with incredible roles for trans and non-binary actors.

A really well-written short play with complex roles for Native actors. Studi does a great job portraying what it is like for Native people to have to assimilate while also holding tight to their traditions. Studi wonderfully keeps the reader engaged in this play about a father and daughter who deeply need each other. The Cherokee words and traditions are very easy to follow without the play feeling overly didactic. Quoya Waters goes through some real growth in just a few short pages.