Recommended by Rachael Carnes

  • Rachael Carnes: THE ORANGE LINE©

    This writing pulses with energy, an occlusion of recent history and the present, reaching in and out, up and down - It's language interweaves bilingual rhythms so effortlessly, in this deep, rich conversation about the meaning of art, appreciation, appropriation. I so admire Taveras' bold boundary-pushing around form! I've read (and written) plenty of plays that defy the typical and predictable arc, but Taveras breaks with traditional structure so darn well. This is a play to study, and a writer to watch.

    This writing pulses with energy, an occlusion of recent history and the present, reaching in and out, up and down - It's language interweaves bilingual rhythms so effortlessly, in this deep, rich conversation about the meaning of art, appreciation, appropriation. I so admire Taveras' bold boundary-pushing around form! I've read (and written) plenty of plays that defy the typical and predictable arc, but Taveras breaks with traditional structure so darn well. This is a play to study, and a writer to watch.

  • Rachael Carnes: Bird Brains Puts The Dog To Sleep

    I was so moved by the emotional cadence of this piece, and my connection to it was equally drawn towards its *stunning* poetry. When a writer can be both lyrical and raw, I lean in, I pay attention. I'm just so grateful to have read this play. It's an incredible contribution, and I'd be thrilled to see it onstage and printed in a literary journal.

    I was so moved by the emotional cadence of this piece, and my connection to it was equally drawn towards its *stunning* poetry. When a writer can be both lyrical and raw, I lean in, I pay attention. I'm just so grateful to have read this play. It's an incredible contribution, and I'd be thrilled to see it onstage and printed in a literary journal.

  • Rachael Carnes: THE PANTHEON WARS: LOVE LIFE

    Wow - a supercharged one minute play, calling on ancient mythology and thrusting us into a violent present. There are remarkable layers here, an opportunity to revive iconic characters from time immemorial and in so doing, to see our contemporary conversations exposed. Glad to discover this writer's work, looking forward to reading more.

    Wow - a supercharged one minute play, calling on ancient mythology and thrusting us into a violent present. There are remarkable layers here, an opportunity to revive iconic characters from time immemorial and in so doing, to see our contemporary conversations exposed. Glad to discover this writer's work, looking forward to reading more.

  • Rachael Carnes: THE WORLD'S WORST THEATERGOER: THE WORLD'S WORST MONOLOGUE

    Another perfect GEM from Asher Wyndham. So fun, so relatable, a fantastic introduction to an evening of comedy shorts. Or -- how 'bout as a PSA before all theatre always. Celebrating the form, with taut pacing and cracking humor, this nugget reflects the wonderful, creative ideas and flawless execution that Wyndham is known for. I LOL'd in my cubicle and I don't care who knows it. Thanks for the laughs, Asher!

    Another perfect GEM from Asher Wyndham. So fun, so relatable, a fantastic introduction to an evening of comedy shorts. Or -- how 'bout as a PSA before all theatre always. Celebrating the form, with taut pacing and cracking humor, this nugget reflects the wonderful, creative ideas and flawless execution that Wyndham is known for. I LOL'd in my cubicle and I don't care who knows it. Thanks for the laughs, Asher!

  • Rachael Carnes: Webster's Bitch (One-Act)

    A smart, multi-layered exploration into language and power and the way the subtleties of dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics can solidly into institutional inequalities. Bircher's world here is approachable and lively, the appreciative audience at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival clearly resonated with its humor and as Bircher widens the lens, and new challenges come into focus, we're right with moment. A high-energy play, with deep, meaningful subtext.

    A smart, multi-layered exploration into language and power and the way the subtleties of dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics can solidly into institutional inequalities. Bircher's world here is approachable and lively, the appreciative audience at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival clearly resonated with its humor and as Bircher widens the lens, and new challenges come into focus, we're right with moment. A high-energy play, with deep, meaningful subtext.

  • Rachael Carnes: CrossTalk

    This play was a big hit at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival. Surprising and fun, a perfect two-hander, exploring our increasing dependency on our gizmos and devices, our *relationships* - literally - with technology. Pipes' mines the set-up for all its comedic gold, and delivers a short play at-once hilarious, and kinda-sorta horrifying, when we think about the intricacies of balancing technology's role in our lives. The production I saw featured Pipes herself in the role of CEE, a character that would be a delight for any actor, with lots of opportunities for creative sound...

    This play was a big hit at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival. Surprising and fun, a perfect two-hander, exploring our increasing dependency on our gizmos and devices, our *relationships* - literally - with technology. Pipes' mines the set-up for all its comedic gold, and delivers a short play at-once hilarious, and kinda-sorta horrifying, when we think about the intricacies of balancing technology's role in our lives. The production I saw featured Pipes herself in the role of CEE, a character that would be a delight for any actor, with lots of opportunities for creative sound design, too.

  • Rachael Carnes: A small breach in protocol at Big Rick's Rockin' Skydive Academy

    A highlight of the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival! Hilarious and bright, such a great concept, so well done! Hirsch's team executed the play beautifully, but ANY festival of tens would be lucky to have this one on their stage. It's accessible and warm, with touching relationships and lovely reveals. It's fun on its feet, and is a lovely read, too. A ten minute gem! Looking forward to reading more from this writer.

    A highlight of the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival! Hilarious and bright, such a great concept, so well done! Hirsch's team executed the play beautifully, but ANY festival of tens would be lucky to have this one on their stage. It's accessible and warm, with touching relationships and lovely reveals. It's fun on its feet, and is a lovely read, too. A ten minute gem! Looking forward to reading more from this writer.

  • Rachael Carnes: Perfectly Normal

    A sly send-up of workplace culture, which is absurd to begin with, that masks a harrowing conversation about the erosion of rights and the uncertainty of a shaky future with an orange clown in office. Cox gets to the heart of gaslighting, the way communities can be corrupted by creeping fear and anxieties, until their disconcerting day-to-day becomes "perfectly normal". I saw a production of this play at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival, and the audience was delightedly along for the high-rolling, funny/terrifying ride.

    A sly send-up of workplace culture, which is absurd to begin with, that masks a harrowing conversation about the erosion of rights and the uncertainty of a shaky future with an orange clown in office. Cox gets to the heart of gaslighting, the way communities can be corrupted by creeping fear and anxieties, until their disconcerting day-to-day becomes "perfectly normal". I saw a production of this play at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival, and the audience was delightedly along for the high-rolling, funny/terrifying ride.

  • Rachael Carnes: All of the Everything

    I saw this play at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival and it is absolutely stunning onstage. Now, reading the play, I'm moved even further into the emotional arc, and into the brilliant craft that supports this heartbreaking narrative. It's such a vital, important piece, with lightness and warmth, and deep, spreading despair. A play that's both theatrically engaging and politically relevant. Highly recommend.

    I saw this play at the 2019 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival and it is absolutely stunning onstage. Now, reading the play, I'm moved even further into the emotional arc, and into the brilliant craft that supports this heartbreaking narrative. It's such a vital, important piece, with lightness and warmth, and deep, spreading despair. A play that's both theatrically engaging and politically relevant. Highly recommend.

  • Rachael Carnes: The Bar Mitzvah of Jesus Goldfarb

    This lovely, funny, engaging play pulled a riveted audience right along at a presentation at the 2019 Samuel French Festival. Heinze's delightful dialogue crackles with energy, in this comedy with tremendous contemporary meaning. JASON is a dream role for any young actor. A touching, fun, approachable play. Check it out!

    This lovely, funny, engaging play pulled a riveted audience right along at a presentation at the 2019 Samuel French Festival. Heinze's delightful dialogue crackles with energy, in this comedy with tremendous contemporary meaning. JASON is a dream role for any young actor. A touching, fun, approachable play. Check it out!