Recommended by Nick Malakhow

Loved this genre bending, stylistically eclectic, and incisive skewering of toxic social constructs in cis-gay and queer male culture. The exploration of how commodified masc-whiteness is, the catch-22 of wanting to escape such beauty norms and constructs while being unable to do so, and the lines between friendship, sex, love, and romance was all so thorough. Hilarious and biting, some unsettling horror elements, and potent realism mixed with verse...this piece was so comprehensive and pic in scope! So visually mind-boggling, but my director brain can still envision how it might happen.

I saw BETC's charming production of this piece. A poignant and funny comedy that explores the complexities of small town life, alienation in our contemporary age, death, family, and identity. A great showcase to two women, the play examines Sienna and Millie with the warmth and humanity they deserve, while also not letting them off the hook for the ways they need to grow and change. I appreciated the ways sexuality, gender, and race were threaded throughout play in an intersectional manner. It neither ignored nor commodified/exploited their identities. Very producible!

Sharp, hilarious, unsettling--this genre-bending piece utilizes horror and thriller elements to amplify the exploration of the ways the internet has informed and distorted social connections and allowed folks to manifest their disturbing desires. The uber atmospheric play conjures up a vividly rendered theatrical world that feels impressively well-realized while being claustrophobic and created by just two actors. I'd love to see this in production!

A sharp, incisive play that does an excellent job of rejecting easy answers and not taking sides as it discusses a fatal flaw (well, several) in discussions of race in America within "well meaning liberal" environments. The intersectional nuances connected to gender, sexuality, and generation, and how they interact with race deepens what already would've been a rich conversation. Also, I'm amazed by how Burgess is able to so successfully conjure a rich external world and socio-cultural context with only two characters onstage without it feeling overly "telling" or expository. Hope this continues to be programmed far and wide!

This piece has my favorite horror elements--a potent/volatile group of people who all manage to be well-defined put in a pressure cooker together, strategically released tension and dread, and some huge fireworks/overtures in its climax. Here, the horror elements (and character-driven scenes) are used beautifully to explore inherited identity-based trauma, privilege, family, and purpose in life. The final moments are delicate and haunting and hopeful--a dynamite combination that the horror genre often eschews in favor of ending on despair. There's also superb visuals within that'd work well with the genre--especially the uniquely theatrical shadowbox set described.

Subtle and unsettling piece of horror that explores the complex intersection between mental health, religion, and the supernatural. The toggling back and forth between the immediate therapeutic interaction and the scene on the street is at first engaging because of the disarming and destabilizing transitions and then unsettling as the connections between the two dramatic worlds becomes clearer. I'd love to see this staged!

A startling, lyrical, and incredibly inventive play that begs to be produced. Jost explores the harrowing intersection of female sexuality and desire, misogyny, toxic masculinity, and violence using a whole host of theatrical tools. I was struck by the dual nature of these characters--who are built so specifically and with a clear eye and ear to their unique humanity, but who also serve as a microcosm and portrait of the roots of misogyny in action. Through monologue, movement sequences, repeated motifs, and poignant scenes, Jost creates a kaleidoscopic picture so much greater than the sum of its parts.

A compelling and unsettling read! I love how this both engaged me as a story of watching two humans put in a traumatizing and dehumanizing situation trying to retain their humanity and survive being pitted against one another, and as a larger and more cerebral exploration of capitalism and other social constructs that do that on a societal level. The genre-bending combination of absurdity, horror, and drama was fascinating. Kirkman paints for us a number of dynamic stage pictures that I'd love (and probably squirm) to see live onstage. I'd be eager to follow this piece's developmental trajectory!

What a dynamic group of individuals Lynett has crafted here and uses to explore forgiveness, family, grief, addiction, and more. These characters so badly need and want things from one another in a poignant constellation. Despite the grave misfortunes and traumas the characters experience, we also constantly focus on their humanity and what they have to give to one another. The highly theatrical moments of direct address and the use of the compelling space of the church make me want to see this play on its feet, not just read it on the page! I hope to someday!

A haunting piece with a parable-like quality to it, while still centering exquisitely specific and human characters. Spare poetry and lyricism co-exist here with beautifully captured and inelegant rhythms of natural speech. I loved the way Olmos created an entire world, socio-cultural and socio-economic rules and background and context, while zeroing in on just four characters. It makes for an original and theatrical piece that I'd love to see realized onstage!