Recommended by Rachael Carnes

A compelling story - populated with competing characters and driven by a language and energy that pulled me along for the fast, zig-zagging ride. Sanchez has a talent for rhythm and place, finding humor and moments of devastation, in this unique tale, that shows the way the past often works its way into the present and can cast a pall over the future. Check out this writer! He's doing big things with this play.

I just love the rhythm of the language in this poignant comedy. Darnley creates such a wonderful world here, funny and sharp, and all-too relevant. An arsenal of inventory would provide tremendous opportunity for a creative team. Brava!

Hageman creates a prism here, and turn it anyway, and you’ll find the hard edges of bullying, that create lasting marks on individuals and communities. There’s so much resonance, so many connections, in this powerful work that examines the immediate, almost impenetrable dynamics within groupings of kids, and the systems that invariably inculcate, enable and protect the ‘hunters’. Brava!

A stunningly fresh and compelling coming-of-age play. Pisaturo imbues this dynamic moment with grounded realism and lets the language and rhythm tilt and lift into poetry. There's palpable feeling on every page, and I can only imagine how audiences will lean in, to carefully watch and listen to this story's unfolding.

Wow! Lawing packs a punch in this tight ten-minutes. There's an arsenal for a creative team to dig into— And what a story, imbued with layers and meaning, yet so real and rewarding. If you want to learn how to build meaningful character inventory without tipping into dull exposition, read this play. Lawing offers a masterclass in balancing rhythm, character and plot. I WANT TO SEE THIS ONSTAGE.

I did not know that a play about women's health could be so damn funny! But here it is! Dooley takes an easy-breezy comedic approach and finds all kinds of fun possibilities for creative teams and audiences alike.

Resonant and relatable, this engaging monologue takes us on a compelling emotional ride as Ramona asks us to dispel our preconceptions, about girls, their capabilities and interests, their POV on the world. Smart and nuanced, devastating and funny as all get out, this is a gem from Wyndham. What a gift that he's writing youth voices — RAMONA, JANINE, ALYSSA and more — For the stage. If you're hoping to put a multi-dimensional child or teen character in your play, do yourself a favor: Read Asher's Kid and Teen monologues first, to see how it's done.

Rushing's taut two-hander walks a a tense line between poetry and gut punch. I admire the way the dialogue lilts into a new space, at angles and lifting then drops you down HARD into cold, stark reality, into real stakes and real pain. There's development here that feels real and new, a voice that speaks gently, yet with confidence.

This is why I love NPX: I can’t get to NYC to see a production by my friend and colleague by a theatre company I know and admire, but I can read it: And so glad I did! Sharp and focused, Triplett’s play is relentless, exploring the idea of myth on multiple levels. It’s refreshing to see a character like Ariadne have her day, and to see the ancient made new. This play truly sings.

Oh — How I admire this environment, the way Cowley envisions sight and sound from the get-go, brings us into the broken universe of the protagonist and takes us on a wild ride. There’s something sad in the subtext here, a longing, a separation, something to grab onto and learn more about. Plenty in the arsenal for actors to play with. Check it out!