Recommended by Lainie Vansant

  • Lainie Vansant: Out of the Scorpion's Nest (formerly Queen of Sad Mischance) by John Minigan
    “

    This is a play you can get lost in - the dialogue is well-paced, natural, and engaging. The characters are interesting, and it draws you in without any hard-to-produce bells and whistles. It's a pure study of characters, academia, and identity, well worth the read and (hopefully) lots of productions.

    This is a play you can get lost in - the dialogue is well-paced, natural, and engaging. The characters are interesting, and it draws you in without any hard-to-produce bells and whistles. It's a pure study of characters, academia, and identity, well worth the read and (hopefully) lots of productions.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Organized Crime Christmas by Everett Robert
    “

    A play about such tough guys has no business being this adorable, but Robert pulls it off in the best way. Interesting characters and a fun twist at the end wrap this little ten-minute play up with a festive Christmas bow.

    A play about such tough guys has no business being this adorable, but Robert pulls it off in the best way. Interesting characters and a fun twist at the end wrap this little ten-minute play up with a festive Christmas bow.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: THE SHEPHERD'S STORY by Delvyn Case, Jr.
    “

    Case deftly uses the tools from a storyteller's toolkit to point this piece directly to the young audience he hopes to enthrall, and the tale does not disappoint - if you're looking for a short something to make the kids at church smile, this is it!

    Case deftly uses the tools from a storyteller's toolkit to point this piece directly to the young audience he hopes to enthrall, and the tale does not disappoint - if you're looking for a short something to make the kids at church smile, this is it!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: EVERYBODY HATES MARIAH CAREY by Rachael Carnes
    “

    As colorful and fun as it is odd and morbid (which is very). This little play takes a big turn and offers a nice breather from holiday cheer.

    As colorful and fun as it is odd and morbid (which is very). This little play takes a big turn and offers a nice breather from holiday cheer.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: How I Met Your Santa by Daniel Guyton
    “

    This is a handy little monologue for the Christmas season, a nice piece of storytelling for a talented middle-aged lady - these opportunities don't come up as often as they should, so kudos to Guyton for giving us this gift!

    This is a handy little monologue for the Christmas season, a nice piece of storytelling for a talented middle-aged lady - these opportunities don't come up as often as they should, so kudos to Guyton for giving us this gift!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: You'll Go Down in History by Emily Hageman
    “

    Hageman's clever references are so cleverly interwoven that I found myself doing a double-take more than once, but it was so worth it! And just when you're wondering where the next clever line will come from, she shifts gears and gets you in the feels.

    Hageman's clever references are so cleverly interwoven that I found myself doing a double-take more than once, but it was so worth it! And just when you're wondering where the next clever line will come from, she shifts gears and gets you in the feels.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: O, Little Town by Matt Barbot
    “

    Delightfully meta and full of awkward pauses. This little play is sure to make you smile and wonder when Barbot's full-length Christmas play is going to hit NPX ;)

    Delightfully meta and full of awkward pauses. This little play is sure to make you smile and wonder when Barbot's full-length Christmas play is going to hit NPX ;)

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: ACCOMMODATION by Greg Burdick
    “

    I love reading a play that makes me think - makes me wonder what side of the issue the playwright is on. Burdick has created just that. ACCOMMODATION incorporates characters with strong opposing viewpoints and pits them against each other without judging any of them. It'll make you think, make you question, and it might just lead to better conversations about what matters in education today.

    I love reading a play that makes me think - makes me wonder what side of the issue the playwright is on. Burdick has created just that. ACCOMMODATION incorporates characters with strong opposing viewpoints and pits them against each other without judging any of them. It'll make you think, make you question, and it might just lead to better conversations about what matters in education today.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Desolate by Melissa Jackson Burns
    “

    A ghost story to be performed in flesh and blood, this play is eerie and haunting, Jackson Burns integrates world-building and memories throughout the piece effortlessly so that the reader/audience makes discoveries throughout the piece. Done well, this play is sure to feature in nightmares.

    A ghost story to be performed in flesh and blood, this play is eerie and haunting, Jackson Burns integrates world-building and memories throughout the piece effortlessly so that the reader/audience makes discoveries throughout the piece. Done well, this play is sure to feature in nightmares.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Fission by Taylor Sklenar
    “

    Gorgeously poetic, undeniably smart, and still story-driven, this mind-bending play showcases many of Sklenar's greatest strengths. It's beautiful, odd, and human, and it might just break your heart.

    Gorgeously poetic, undeniably smart, and still story-driven, this mind-bending play showcases many of Sklenar's greatest strengths. It's beautiful, odd, and human, and it might just break your heart.

    ”