Recommended by Rachael Carnes

Heartbreakingly realistic dialogue exposes the diametrically opposing perspectives of a country, through the eyes of two innocent children. Hageman loads this short play with perfectly asymmetrical props and staging, making all-too real, and painting in three-dimensions, a history that is evolving, that is devolving, in real time. Please read and produce this play.

In a few short pages, Femia builds a frame for grief and the explosion of memory that comes from moving through the belongings of a loved one -- before they're really gone. This remarkable play wades through the gray area of loss: Past, present and future. Kirkegard writes, "The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly the one you'll never have.” And it's in these borderlands that Femia's thoughtfully-constructed characters reside, finding solace and meaning in the mundane, as if this distraction is a little life raft that might carry them through rough waters. Simply brilliant.

In this short play, writer Villanueva breathes life into two put-upon mothers - from different backgrounds - who share universalities, hopes, frustrations. The writer sets up an exquisite contrast between these families, exploring the artifice between them, and ultimately, what can dissolve it. A beautiful, evocative play, with grand imagery, where graceful elephants represent both the literal and the figurative. An incredible literary effort that would be beautiful onstage. Produce this show!

In a couple of pages Bublitz sheds light on subsumed history and terror — Touching on the space that current atrocities will haunt future generations. This work is visceral, relatable, artfully crafted. I wish a monologue like this could be read on the steps of public libraries everywhere. In it, the writer builds relatability, understanding and even hope — Balanced and humane, this piece resonates with honesty and conviction. This is what theater is for.

Wow. This right here is why I'm glad I'm a member of New Play Exchange. Random lunch hour, eat some soup at my desk, read a play — Featured writer in the top right corner is a new name. Click, download, read: Stunning. A relevant, tightly-wrought, honest and compelling portrayal of this painful moment. Injected with humor and walking on a dangerous edge, this writer's world is so complete, characters, so developed, in just a few short pages. It's challenging, and within that new space, there is great beauty and heart. So glad to be introduced to this playwright.

I had the good fortune to see a staged reading of Skillman's remarkable play at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. Bringing together humor, grace and a strong, driving pulse — As powerful as that urge you get when you're young and you head off headlong on your first devil-may-care road trip — this story intertwines different perspectives on activism, letting (teenage) Zoe's intention shine through. It's a story about hope, deftly cached in a world that feels, like this one, confusing and raw sometimes. Zoe and Rain really DO save the world. A lovely tribute to community and friendship.

Pittenger writes about New York with clarity and heart — Whether you live in the city, or the city lives in your imagination, you'll find a universality, and a deep appeal in this lovely piece of writing, intersecting two women and two dreams. This charming piece offers interesting surprises and fun challenges for its actors.

Okay, I love this. Not only do we have a dynamite monologue, passionate and compelling, with an immediate need and huge action and pulsing tension -- we have playwright Wyndham interjecting with drawings and comments on the drawings, creating the kind of intimacy with the reader, a sort of vulnerability, an esprit de corps -- a brilliant move, engaging our senses so we want to take action. Wow. Great stuff.

Hageman's voice is so clear — This little gem (a one-minute play!) underscores her ability to distill set-up and not only verbal, but physical and visual humor, too, into a tight little package, without losing heart and connection. We are all Teddy.

A playwright with tremendous emotional range and structural capacity, O'Grady tackles the monumental Brontë sisters. This play's a wonder — Exquisitely researched, architecturally rendered, yet with this organic substrate —— this loudly beating heart that quickens throughout the compelling story. The play's well-recognized, with numerous accolades and awards — But this play should be produced. O'Grady brings this 19th century family into the present in a stunning piece of writing. Brava!