Recommended by Shaun Leisher

A brilliant play that looks at periods of history from the dawn of man to a bleak future for the human race. The stage directions in this piece feel like poetry as they perfectly set the tone for each vignette. This play really tackles all aspects of what it's like to be human. There is love and death. There is hope and dread. It really makes you wonder what impact the human race truly had on this planet. I can't wait to see this play performed by an adventuraous ensemble of actors and a resourceful design team.

A lot of emotion and plot is packed in this short play. I was fascinated by how Craig-Galvan takes this extracurricular activity that both of these teens love and turns it into something potentially deadly. Loved the use of direct address and the way time moves fluidly throughout this piece. This is a tense piece of theatre. I really didn't know how it was going to end. Great way to discuss issues like gun violence and domestic abuse.

A life moment that should be filled with joy is portrayed as full of tension and fear. I thought it was so smart of Vansant to not reveal what Jess' actual occupation is until the last possible second. I loved the way this play takes on our country's gun violence epidemic and puts a human face on it. This play takes a close look into the lives of people that are on the front lines. This shows the faces of a family that is so close to this issue. Go into this play knowing as little as possible.

Harris perfectly captures the tension around this country over school shootings. A great short play that teaches not to judge a book by its cover. Kayla and Exie start out as high school stereotypes but the more time we spend with them we get to see their contradictions and the depth of their character. I hate that we live in a world that puts the pressure on kids to stop someone from shooting up their school. This play does a great job at starting some much needed conversations.

Bublitz does a great job at making the well-known gun debate so compelling. Judging by the subject matter, I knew something was going to happen by the end of the play but nothing could prepare me for this twist. The perspective of this play is clear but Bublitz brilliantly portrays the "other side" in a nuanced way. I hope this play forces audiences to not just think of victimes of shootings as statistics. These victims are human beings that should still be alive if not for powerful and wealthy individuals.

What an epic play. This play definitely earns its length. The playwright does a great job at dramatizing the history of the South Korean adoption industry while also telling a really compelling fucking story. A story that spans decades and countries. This play tells the stories of a group of women that are faced with unimaginable challenges. A play about death. A play about corruption. A play about the desire to find what has been lost. I hope people get angry after experiencing this play. Produce this play and get audiences talking.

I loved this play. A hysterical workplace comedy that will also break your heart. I was so moved by how this piece explores the nuanced differences between Black people born in the United States and those originally from Africa. You can't help but feel for Pendo and Jamila as try to survive in their chosen country where even people that look like them can cause hurt. This play features great roles for Black actresses and I hope it gets produced soon.

I was so moved by this play about people just trying to put their lives back on track. Plays about addiction really resonate with me as a sober person myself and I'm glad this one was written. I really enjoyed to experience this look at a seemingly odd friendship between a sober alcoholic and someone that just never had a taste for alcohol. This play gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end and I really hope for the best for these well-written characters.

I did not know The Dybbuk going into this play but I found myself following it very easily. This play perfectly captures how serious school theatre can be. It's also a moving depiction of the process of grief and how complicated teenage friendships can be. I loved the use of the teenage girl chorus. All of these roles are fantastic for female actors to really sink their teeth into. I'd love to see this produced in colleges all over.

"None of us are coming for you. Why do you feel so threatened? Is it because we know who the real predators are?"

This play is filled to the brim with poetic dialogue and stage directions. Labotka does a great job showing the trans experience through the mythology of the werewolf. I loved how this play shows the different ways someone can identify as trans. The thoughts and opinions in this group are not always kind and loving but they are a community. I would love to see this piece produced with a courageous company of actors.