Recommended by Lainie Vansant

  • Lainie Vansant: Duet Rehearsal by Rebecca Kane
    “

    Kane captures these young ladies' voices brilliantly and paints a heartbreaking picture of power imbalances and threats to their young bodies. I saw a reading of the production at the William Inge Festival, and I'm sure it'll stick with me for a long time.

    Kane captures these young ladies' voices brilliantly and paints a heartbreaking picture of power imbalances and threats to their young bodies. I saw a reading of the production at the William Inge Festival, and I'm sure it'll stick with me for a long time.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Escobar's Hippo by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    What a trip! This show has something fun for everyone -- from costume designers to actors to whoever gets to design that poop fan. With all that fun, Gonzalez doesn't shy away from saying the important things as well. This is a wonderful take on a classic Absurdist piece -- check it out!

    What a trip! This show has something fun for everyone -- from costume designers to actors to whoever gets to design that poop fan. With all that fun, Gonzalez doesn't shy away from saying the important things as well. This is a wonderful take on a classic Absurdist piece -- check it out!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Button Lake Band Camp by Elijah Guo
    “

    I love these little weirdos so much! Just when you think you know where Guo is going with this, it takes some unexpected twists and turns that give it much more depth and meaning. This is lovely work that both knows and respects the young people at its heart.

    I love these little weirdos so much! Just when you think you know where Guo is going with this, it takes some unexpected twists and turns that give it much more depth and meaning. This is lovely work that both knows and respects the young people at its heart.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Daddy Daughter Dance by Robin Berl
    “

    This is a truly touching reflection on how we lived and what we lost in the pandemic. There's a lot for the actor to work with here.

    This is a truly touching reflection on how we lived and what we lost in the pandemic. There's a lot for the actor to work with here.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: OCCUPY HALLMARK a ten-minute play by Cassie M. Seinuk
    “

    This is an adorable take on Valentine's Day that is somehow both jaded and hopeful. It's sure to make you smile -- check it out!

    This is an adorable take on Valentine's Day that is somehow both jaded and hopeful. It's sure to make you smile -- check it out!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Wild Strawberries by Jerry Ayers
    “

    I saw an abridged production of this at the South Dakota State One Acts Festival, and it was a ton of fun! In this case, it was a great opportunity for young actors to learn about commedia dell'arte with some updated language and a ton of great roles for women. It's a real romp with good opportunities to scale up or scale down technically, and the students clearly had a ton of fun with it!

    I saw an abridged production of this at the South Dakota State One Acts Festival, and it was a ton of fun! In this case, it was a great opportunity for young actors to learn about commedia dell'arte with some updated language and a ton of great roles for women. It's a real romp with good opportunities to scale up or scale down technically, and the students clearly had a ton of fun with it!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING by Monica Cross
    “

    I love how well Cross has captured the pace of people who have existed for hundreds of years and need to make a decision right now. There's a specificity in that conflict, and it's captured beautifully here. Great character work for two actors who want to think outside of our universe -- just lovely!

    I love how well Cross has captured the pace of people who have existed for hundreds of years and need to make a decision right now. There's a specificity in that conflict, and it's captured beautifully here. Great character work for two actors who want to think outside of our universe -- just lovely!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Bartleby & Bess (5-10 minute play) by Elisabeth Giffin Speckman
    “

    This short play maintains great character development as we're granted a moment to step inside Bartleby's mind to share in the hope and anxiety that comes from seeing someone after a long break. Lovely!

    This short play maintains great character development as we're granted a moment to step inside Bartleby's mind to share in the hope and anxiety that comes from seeing someone after a long break. Lovely!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: THE AWARD WINNING MOVIE ABOUT A NORMAL WHITE PERSON WHO OBSERVED A GREAT INJUSTICE HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AND WHO FEELS KIND OF BAD ABOUT IT by Greg Lam
    “

    The imagery in this tiny play is brutal and I love it. Lam encourages us to think about privilege, Hollywood, tragedy porn, and more all in the space of a minute and with a healthy dose of snark. *Chef's kiss*

    The imagery in this tiny play is brutal and I love it. Lam encourages us to think about privilege, Hollywood, tragedy porn, and more all in the space of a minute and with a healthy dose of snark. *Chef's kiss*

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: The Trial of Sycorax by Daryl Phillipy
    “

    Phillipy offers a look at the flipside of The Tempest in this eloquent short play. It's very thoughtful -- take a peek!

    Phillipy offers a look at the flipside of The Tempest in this eloquent short play. It's very thoughtful -- take a peek!

    ”