Recommended by Iraisa Ann Reilly

Malakow has a gift for crafting authentic teenagers dealing with big world problems. A heartfelt look at adolescence in the time of social distancing, and finding connection when it's nearly impossible to connect. A beautiful story crafted with empathy and heart.

If you know nothing about the sport of rowing or its part in the history of female athletics, the relationships in this play definitely take the helm. If you do know what it is to row a boat down a river at 5am for sport, then this play taps into all the nuanced experiences and emotions. Camp takes a close look at all of the complicated power dynamics of male dominated arenas when the males are not present, and when the men have allegedly lost power. I would love to see this play onstage, especially at (D-1) universities.

If you've ever worked in any kind of industry serving the public, this play will hit close to home. If you've ever worked in an amusement park or put on a ridiculous costume as a source of employment, you will feel seen. Perez deftly crafts the struggles of every day survival in a way that toes the line between hilarious and tragic. The characters are so relatable and three dimensional; without being didactic we see how everyone is just trying to get through the day, at the mercy of gentrification. A must see.

Reyna deftly examines the great American gun debate through the microscopic lens of a family divided. Legends of Texas is such a smart and honest portrayal of how gun legislation tears at the seams of one individual family and their struggle to communicate amidst pain and suffering. A timely piece that should be produced as the debate continues to affect American lives and families.

Davila captures five generations of Latina women, their roles as caretakers, and the reality of an experience that often times is overlooked. This play is full of the complexity of mother-daughter love- particularly between Latina mothers and daughters; love comes out when making tamales, when nursing a physical or emotional wound, but love is especially apparent in moments of conflict. I would love to see this play on stage, giving 6 talented Latinas an opportunity to portray these characters.

A beautiful exploration of good and evil and how we're all capable of both. Gonzalez y Perez examines big questions that philosophers have wrestled with for centuries and humanizes them through angels and chupacabras. Beautifully crafted monologues that explore the belief of God within all of us, and the difference between God and Faith. The visual imagery is stunning and I would love to see this play come alive on stage.

The characters in this play are two comedic women who are put into a situation that is bound to get very dark. It is refreshing to see female characters who need each other more than anything else. Medina explores the intricacy and complicated reality of being a first generation American, and a mother-daughter relationship strained by cultural differences. This play constantly asks the audience to shift perspectives, address hipocracy, and like the character of Eileen, forces us to imagine their lives beyond the surface. A page turner sure to keep an audience engaged.

"Have you ever been scared for so long that you forget what ease feels like," This line spoken by the character of Lilliana gets to the heart of what these characters are experiencing, and what 2020 made so glaringly obvious. This relevant play examines the complexities of trauma, police brutality, and the very real fear of just being in your own body (as a woman and/or black individual). I found myself holding my breath through so many scenes as I read. Espinosa uses the world of art to theatrically bring this story to life. Can't wait to see this performed.

This play is a glass full of coquito and hope. I have spent a lot of time trying to explain Latinx New Years traditions and the importance of eating twelve grapes. With each new year comes new wishes, and new hope for this family. The characters are so identifiable and relatable, particularly Camila. You rarely see women in stories who give up their entire lives for the sake of several members of their families. This play says that their story is worth telling before the world is full of watered-down coquito. I can't wait to see this play on stage.

This play is equal parts heartbreaking and riveting. Page after page I was left wondering what was going to happen next- and what the next reveal would be. Davila creates incredibly honest characters caught between two worlds, two sides of the border, and on both sides of the identity crisis of conqueror vs. conquered. Rarely does a play speak of border agents forced to face their own Latinx identity. Davila plays with time and memory, past and present in a way that is clear, theatrical, and serves the story in a crucial way. I absolutely loved this reading this play.