Recommended by Shaun Leisher

Proof that even in the zombie apocalypse, siblings will argue about things like Pokemon. Kind of reminded me of Mr. Burns in the way that both plays reference what pieces of pop culture will we turn to when the world ends. The relationship between these two siblings feels so natural. Loved the way that they constantly talk over each other. I'd love to see this fully produced with all the gory elements of a horror play.

An absurd short play about the aftermath of a bread heist. And, oh yeah, all the thieves are birds. This was a fun play to read. I really enjoyed all the nods to the tropes of the heist genre. I enjoyed how I didn't know how things were going to end till the final twist. I'd love to see actors take on these roles and really inhabit this bird characters.

This play is an absolute mindfuck. Dialogue that seems random but it totally makes sense somehow. I loved the lack of character descriptions and stage directions. This short piece can be interpreted any way possible. I'd love to see what a creative director and daring cast can do with this script. More deceptive gibberish like this!!!

A moving piece of theatre about the immigrant experience. The fence between these two houses is the perfect metaphor. This Chinese family and Japanese man deal with tension that finally explodes into a confrontation towards the end of the play. A confrontation that looks at the history and lingering aftermath of Japan's invasion of China. What kind of responsibility does an individual have for his nation's atrocities? This play features incredible roles for Asian actors.

Wellman does a great job at exploring the lives of two kidnapped people right after they are freed from their captivity. Noah and Bailey are such interesting characters. They are adrenaline junkies that might not have planned to get kidnapped but they also knew the danger they were stepping into. This makes things so much more dramatic and complicated as we look at all the lives that were impacted by their choices. This is a play about blame and regret and trying to piece one's life back together. Produce this play!!

I am left speechless after reading this play. A wonderful take on the legend of the Joads. A play about family and how you can choose the people you call kin. The dialogue of the Chorus throughout this piece is pure poetry. I was so moved by the words they speak and the power they have to propel this story. The evolution of Martin and Will's relationship is so beautiful. These men couldn't be more different but throughout the play we find them softening and connecting. I'd love to see this produced.

What wonderfully bizzare coming of age story. I love how this play focuses on these pieces of Italian art and how they inspire and alter Vanessa. This is a play about fame and what it means to try and live a normal life. It's also a play about girlhood and how tricky that can be. I loved the absurdist elements of this play and can't wait to see how they are fully realized in a production. Vanessa is such a complicated character and I can't wait to see how an actress handles this role.

A great play about four gay men and their various relationships to the war in Afghanistan. This is a story that needs to be told now. Even though this play takes place nearly fifteen years ago there is still so much relevant to the daily experiences of veterans. I have to belive that Kyle's story is similar to the ones many other soldiers have. I have read plays before about returning soldiers but none quite like this play. This one is very special. I hope this play gets produced all over.

I loved the choice to not show these characters kiss but instead let us experience the complicated aftermath. It's easy to see how much history these characters have and much they love each other but things have just gotten really complicated between them. I feel like in a typical romance we would see these two run off together but Hambley doesn't give us that easy ending. There is so much to think about. There is so much at stake. I loved how we are left with so much uncertainty. It felt very honest.

A really fun short play that manages to portray transness in a nuanced way and also explore a bit of race and gentrification. The relationships in this short play feel so real and lived in. I feel like we all know the dynamics between characters like Jonathan and Jackie. A relationship between caregiver and one who needs looking after. I loved how much this play is also anti-love letter to Boston at the end.