Recommended by Lainie Vansant

  • Lainie Vansant: The Street Has I's by Greg Lam
    “

    Anything tagged with both "Sesame Street" and "noir" is bound to be interesting, and this play certainly delivers on its darkly comedic promise. There's lots of fun moments for actors and audiences in this short play -- check it out!

    Anything tagged with both "Sesame Street" and "noir" is bound to be interesting, and this play certainly delivers on its darkly comedic promise. There's lots of fun moments for actors and audiences in this short play -- check it out!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: IN TRAINING by Rachael Carnes
    “

    This play captures the anxiety of starting a new job and the absurdity that sometimes comes with odd institutions. It's over-the-top and easy to connect with -- great for short play festivals!

    This play captures the anxiety of starting a new job and the absurdity that sometimes comes with odd institutions. It's over-the-top and easy to connect with -- great for short play festivals!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: There Are No Closets in My Classroom by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    What a thoughtful piece -- there is a quiet steadiness here that I really appreciate. I know that this teacher and their ideals aren't going anywhere (at least in this fictional world), and that brings me hope.

    What a thoughtful piece -- there is a quiet steadiness here that I really appreciate. I know that this teacher and their ideals aren't going anywhere (at least in this fictional world), and that brings me hope.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: The Ones Who Adapt by Greg Lam
    “

    Lam's creativity shines again in this little slice of sci-fi eco-theatre. It's fun in a sad way. Or sad in a fun way? Let's just say it's both thought-provoking and fun for the actors. Check it out!

    Lam's creativity shines again in this little slice of sci-fi eco-theatre. It's fun in a sad way. Or sad in a fun way? Let's just say it's both thought-provoking and fun for the actors. Check it out!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Text Nora(h) by Emma Collins
    “

    This play is a lot of fun! 2022 is a good year for escapism, and if you want a delightful rom-com about sports, technology, and living in the 21st century, check out this play!

    This play is a lot of fun! 2022 is a good year for escapism, and if you want a delightful rom-com about sports, technology, and living in the 21st century, check out this play!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: An Unquiet Past (Original title: Scar Tissues) by Bill Triplett
    “

    This play is a haunting look at sexual abuse in a #MeToo world. Reading it immediately after the vitriol of the Depp/Heard hearing makes it ring even more true. I wish this play were becoming less relevant, but I think it will, unfortunately, still be making an important point for a long time.

    This play is a haunting look at sexual abuse in a #MeToo world. Reading it immediately after the vitriol of the Depp/Heard hearing makes it ring even more true. I wish this play were becoming less relevant, but I think it will, unfortunately, still be making an important point for a long time.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Flashes & Floaters by Deneen Reynolds-Knott
    “

    A beautiful story about love and new life. This story handles struggle and hope beautifully with lots of complex Black women in the center of the story. I would love to see this staged!

    A beautiful story about love and new life. This story handles struggle and hope beautifully with lots of complex Black women in the center of the story. I would love to see this staged!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Babies React To... by DC Cathro
    “

    This play's twists and turns pull the reader (and audience, I'm sure) along. I know I was holding my breath to see what would happen next and I was fully engaged in figuring out what was happening now. The subtext here is masterfully written, and this would make a great addition to a course covering that topic!

    This play's twists and turns pull the reader (and audience, I'm sure) along. I know I was holding my breath to see what would happen next and I was fully engaged in figuring out what was happening now. The subtext here is masterfully written, and this would make a great addition to a course covering that topic!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Ashes of the Revolution by John Patrick Bray
    “

    This is a sweet, fun play about the burdens we don't realize we're putting on our children. Lots of heart and great moments between these two young people.

    This is a sweet, fun play about the burdens we don't realize we're putting on our children. Lots of heart and great moments between these two young people.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Ghost Story by Lia Romeo
    “

    I listened to a reading of GHOST STORY on At the Table (for free! You should listen there too!) and found the twists and turns of the story to be engaging and exciting as the magic of the piece unfolds. This tight two-hander would be perfect for an intimate space at a regional or community theatre!

    I listened to a reading of GHOST STORY on At the Table (for free! You should listen there too!) and found the twists and turns of the story to be engaging and exciting as the magic of the piece unfolds. This tight two-hander would be perfect for an intimate space at a regional or community theatre!

    ”