Recommended by Nick Malakhow

An epic and fantastical exploration of the conflicting ways we use technology to escape responsibility, exert power for both good and evil, and to live out parts of our identities that we cannot leave in the real world. Hemphill has written a darkly humorous play with a large cast that represents a variety of voices and perspectives. This definitely reads as a highly theatrical ride, and I'd be so very curious to see it on its feet and staged!

Wow! This beautiful and haunting piece took my breath away! Melancholy and lyrical narration punctuates impeccably-observed scenes of nuanced naturalism. Lee Kit and Sam's relationship provides a devastating exploration of family, mental illness, trauma, and outsidership. The playwright also provides for us a uniquely theatrical representation of schizophrenia, as well as an overall theatrical world that would be visually rich in production. This play begs to be put on its feet, and I hope to see a production sometime soon!

A fabulous coming of age story that meanders back and forth through time to great effect. Phillie/Philip is a compelling protagonist, and the supporting cast is a fantastically colorful and well rendered group of personalities. DeVita examines childhood trauma and the lasting impact our families have on our adult selves. There is also a meaty and clever double-casting plot that reinforces those themes beautifully. I'd love to see this highly theatrical piece on its feet.

I had the privilege of seeing the workshop of this at the BPT. Alexis Scheer has created delightfully specific and nuanced characters who aren't normally centered in lighthearted comic fare. Each character's intentions and actions were well thought out and motivated by potent tensions and conflicts, and it was an absolute pleasure to see the at times surprising story unfold throughout the evening. I hope to see this play continued to be developed and produced!

Using tropes of supernatural horror, Timms explores themes of religion/faith, small town homophobia and prejudice, a search for home and identity, and living as your authentic self. This delightfully theatrical play is populated by intriguing characters and one heck of a monster that would be a movement director's dream to create. I'd love to see this on its feet!

A gorgeous and poignant piece about grief in the contemporary world. As the play winds back and forth in time, Eppler flashes out several very human and nuanced characters. Using "Ozee" as a device (literal and figurative) to explore Mia, Liz, and Ruthie's competing ownership of memories and the legacy of Oz is brilliant! I'd love to see this highly theatrical piece on its feet.

A consistently surprising, unsettling, and darkly hilarious exploration of hatred, bigotry, and white nationalism. When the dramatic focus shifts in the second half, the world so disturbingly drawn in act one is complicatedly thrown off balance, and new and essential voices are centered in the story arc. The play works its way steadily up to a disturbing climax that is both satisfying and troubling. I hope to see a production of this soon!

There is something inherently theatrical and visually compelling about Mona's hoarded stacks of "junk," making me curious to see this on its feet! In "Stacks," Toohey captures the familiarity mixed with bracing alienation that is characteristic of strained family relationships. Each character is compelling and well developed, and this piece steadily builds to its inevitable yet potent ending. Hope to see this developed and produced!

A masterfully executed piece of theatrical science fiction that feels very of the moment! Aeneas Sagar Hemphill uses the stickiness of and morality around AI sentience to explore trauma, PTSD, and the repression of traumatic events. All of the characters are well drawn and the piece moves along at a brisk pace leading up to its startling but inevitable end. Joan's predicament concerning what power she can wield to affect change is haunting and of our world today. I hope to see this onstage some time in the near future!

This is an emotionally affecting and potent story of three generations of women confronting mortality, grief, and the open wounds of family trauma. While the specters of suicide and mental illness hang over them, Carnes mines appropriately used and much-needed humor from the unique humanity of each of her characters. Emma, Mary, and Kate are all compelling and fully realized characters who, by the end of the piece, come to understand what's behind some of their central tensions with one another. The ending is satisfying, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I hope to see this developed and produced soon!