Recommended by Rachael Carnes

Creatively cinematic, this piece rings true, with emotional and physical possibilities. It's lush and worldly, confident and vulnerable. I love the way it drops us into the moment, the setting and the mood — Nelson has a gift for evocative dialogue and powerful conflict. This one would be a delight for actors and designers.

What if what you think you know falls away? What's left? In this engaging short play with two teens, Affoumado explores history through the lens of the present — Asking us to think critically, to question assumptions, about the past, and about the people sitting right in front of us. It's terrific to read parts for young people that are sympathetic and nuanced.

A fantastic example of a one-minute play, as tight as a drum, with topical references, devastating characterization and an explosive twist -- all in one page. Gonzalez's artful structure exposes hypocrisy, provides commentary and context, all while delivering great emotional range for two actors. This is micro-play writing at its finest. Question: How does Frankie know my relatives?... This is just too perfect.

Elevator Girl crackles with truth as Hoke delves fearlessly into timely (and sadly timeless) topics. A defining #MeToo play, this incredible work is smart, funny and just unflinching. Featuring dialogue and pacing that are infused with energy, imminently theatrical settings and stage directions, this play would be a gift to creative teams. One of the most multilayered, thoughtful pieces I’ve read on NPX. I’d love to see this work onstage!

I just love Asher's writing. Take this lovely monologue as an example. Immediately, we connect to "MAX" - likable, fun, engaging, and then — We look a little deeper, we spend some time with something we're all a little deadened to, or not aware of, and then effortlessly, we're connecting to the world around us in a whole new way. Some Americans: Some Monologues is such a fine collection — Asher's a modern day Studs Terkel, investing meaning and conversation into the people and situations most of us tune out. There's something new and surprising on every single page.

This character — "GINA" — is a pleasure to hear in my mind. She's weathered and wise, but still manages some great zingers - Matthews shapes this heartfelt piece with sharp humor and wry social commentary, covering extraordinary ground in just two pages as she touches on so many relevant responses to the passing of Florida's Amendment 4, or, the Second Chance Act. This powerful piece would be a terrific addition to a production of short plays on voting rights, or plays focused on women's rights. It's just so well done.

From the start, this play draws us in with its warm details. We feel the moment so strongly. Two sisters, the funeral's over and... now what? Haas has such an ear for language, for regular people, and how in grief, it's humor that might just get us through. These characters become so familiar, so endearing, that in just a few pages, I felt like I knew them. Anyone who's lost a parent will relate to this play.

What if the one person who believes in you, who pushes you to keep at it, who wants you to try harder is... gone? In this beautifully crafted play, Redman asks vital questions and develops such sympathetic central characters that I just wanted this piece to continue. A perfect showcase for teen or college-age actors, this piece offers everything: emotional twists and turns, physical challenges and deeply meaningful ideas to explore.

It's remarkable that Hernandez has crafted a play here that dances and shimmers with beautiful language, that's also just so human, and so real. This play pulls us in cinematically, with bold, confident staging, while lending us the ability to drop in on incredibly vulnerable and intimate moments. This piece would challenge a creative team to explore potentials for physical and emotional performance. I'd love to see this work onstage.

I'm telling you, these Paula Vogel Ubu BakeOff plays are the gift that keep on giving! Every time I stumble on another one, I feel better. Like, for reals. The world is a smoldering dumpster fire but then you read a brilliantly cutting piece of satire like this gem by Jacqueline, and you're like, "Okay. Rome may be burning but at least we have some incredible writers facing it head-on." Can't wait to check out this author's longer work!