Recommended by Dave Osmundsen

In this short play, Carnes recontextualizes and reframes one of the most disturbing hauntings in American history. With her reliably fierce command of language and theatricality, Carnes examines the even more horrifying reality behind the mythology, giving voice to those who have not been heard in the telling of this story.

A tautly written and thought-provoking play about the difficult intersection between technological “innovation” and its impact on society as a whole. Libby writes sharp dialogue and sympathetic characters who are trying to keep a hold of their moral compass as the work they were hired to do becomes increasingly questionable. The plot is beautifully structured too, revealing just enough information to keep the audience involved as the story progresses. A fantastic play that is well worth a read!

A bittersweet story about two lonely young women on the autism spectrum who find a common ground over the Oz books (both those written by Baum and not). Like the best of the fantasy genre, this play fuses real world emotion with a world that is fantastical and beguiling. Despite the whimsy, there is a palpable sense of melancholy as the play explores growing up and being left behind. A gorgeously written, whimsical, and charming story that is both intimate in its simplicity and epic in its theatricality. I cannot wait to see this play produced!

A horrifying speculative political thriller that humanizes those who are unjustly pursued and demonized by an authoritative figure. The final moments are bone-chilling and disturbing. Well done, Scott!

A darkly humorous, playfully theatrical, and unpredictable play about our capabilities of lying and listening to each other. Nyce and Jim develop an unusual bond throughout the piece, and playwright Keiko Green smartly dolls out information in a way that both develops them and stays ahead of the audience. I also appreciated how this play takes on death row (the execution process explanation with the puppets is hilarious, too). As someone who appreciates crime dramas that humanize those involved, I look forward to seeing where this piece goes!

SUCH a beautiful play that is emotionally resonant and theatrical. The final moments are stunning.

I love how this play bucks the idea that standardized testing can place any worth on a person. Mariah is an incredibly smart young person whose intelligence isn't served by the system that purports to help her. I also love how Teri gradually breaks down her walls to see Mariah for the person she really is, and what she ultimately wants to accomplish. Sympathetic and funny, "The Future" humanizes those behind the standardized testing that has unfortunately become a dominant part of our education system. Two great roles for actresses to boot!

The phrase that comes to mind after reading this outrageous, frustrated, all-too-relatable and hilarious monologue: "But actually though!"

A darkly funny, wildly entertaining, and delightfully menacing tale of love in the time of plague. Carpenter's characters are often manipulative and selfish, but they are consistently likable and sympathetic. I especially found Bit's yearning to learn more about the world beyond her poignant. Although frighteningly relevant to the current pandemic, this is a play that asks deeper questions about how our behavioral and moral codes alter when the world is on the verge of destruction, and how they intersect with gender and class. Well worth a read!

I love how this play starts with the broad "types"-- the fanatically religious mother, the absent-minded father, the droll and eye-rolling daughter, the quirky boy next door. But Lauder doesn't settle for types. She subverts the audience's expectations throughout the play by unveiling the depths of her characters. The character of Sylvia, the Evangelical mother, particularly stood out to me. Rather than a head shrieking fire-and-brimstone, Laufer poignantly depicts her as a woman desperate to believe in something larger than herself, and wants others to believe. A warm, funny, and unexpectedly thought-provoking play!