Recommended by Rachael Carnes

A brilliantly written piece of satire, driving us right to the putrid heart of racism. Daly caches the day-to-day oppressor in the guise of a grandma, subverting the caring, wise archetype and replacing it with the systems that wield great power and influence in many lives. A sharp, challenging and meaty role for a mature woman.

A breathtaking moment, imbued with meaning and relevance. Sickles find layers of emotional inventory between these characters, in a piece that is at once theatrical and approachable. This play will invite the conversation we need to have, and I would love to see it staged.

I am drawn in by this idea, of two people, in an art gallery, surrounded by images of romance and questioning their own past, their indiscretions and foibles, and rekindling - something? It's a rich world that Triplett builds, with dialogue that pulls you in, and also spins lyrically, at just the right moments. This has such a lush arc, it feels almost cinematic, and would be delightful to stage and see onstage.

Charming! And so NY. Szymkowicz packs humor and charm into a tidy package, one can feel the boxes on the floor, the tight, awkward space, the possibility - the chemistry - with lots of space for actors and directors to create, in this lovely moment. Are we seeing the beginning of something special? Where is scene two?? A lovely short play.

A poignant and powerful play, taking us to the cusp of growing up, where we're impacted by the people around us, saturated by their interpersonal dynamics, and when we're asked to begin to carve a path we will walk. Affoumado writes for and about youth with relatable, accessible ease: This work is timely and timeless. Thank goodness for writers creating roles for teens that have the depth and nuance we demand for adults. I would love to see this in production.

I was able to see a wonderfully directed staged reading of this play at the Ivoryton Playhouse's Women's Playwright Initiative. Cahill's delightful comedy weaves past and present, dancing between two continents with such ease, her bright humor accented with moments of poignancy, the weight of memory and moving forward. This play resonates with audiences - the crowd at the Ivoryton just loved it - and will offer creative teams so much room to explore and shape all its comic possibilities. Cahill is a master of comedic set-up and delivers enthralling, accessible language throughout. She makes it look easy! Highly recommend.

I had the incredible opportunity to see this play's premiere at Ensemble Studio Theatre and I am completely stunned by the power and the beauty in Simpson's words. This historical play lifts hearts and minds to the present moment, bringing us closer to our atrocities than we've perhaps ever been before. The writer has built a monument to the forgotten multitudes, and shown our relationship to their unimaginable suffering. This play should be produced everywhere. Brava!

I was able to see a wonderfully-developed staged reading of this play at the Ivoryton Playhouse's Women's Playwright Initiative. Funny, sharp, magically hyperreal, this play digs into the meaning of womanhood, the artifices and contrivances, around a simple passage - widowhood. Keenan-Zelt's creative eye and ear bring out humor and relevance on every page. A delightful play, with a great comedic moments to mine, and so much to think about. Check out this play, and this playwright!

Sharp, insightful, funny and devastating — In this tight monologue, Goldman-Sherman digs into the taxonomy of emotional labor, the work of mothers and mothering, the quiet preoccupations and invisible efforts that women perform, all day, everyday. You may find yourself nodding as you read this, your eyes widening in recognition. No wonder it's getting international productions - the author has tapped into the universality of roles, fighting back with wit and candor. Brava!

What a trip! I love the way Latham runs Shakespeare up against modern texting/sexting — Witty and sharp, with so much inventory and verve. This piece would be a delight for performers to engage with, and so much fun for any audience.