Recommended by Emily Hageman

This is a seriously biting play. I want to say that it's funny, but I honestly can't because it's just too real. Walker has created a play that cuts with sharp satire and opens more veins that I can count. It's sickening and fascinating and should make everyone ask "are people really like this"? And then end is deeply poignant and pretty shocking. This is a very, very good play.

A marvelous, marvelous play. This would be a fantastic piece for higher education theatres. It's dark and full of fantasy and marvel, but there are moments of reality that are so powerful they nearly knocked the wind out of me. A really phenomenal exploration of mental illness and the children that it leaves behind. Full of well-developed characters, truly theatrical moments, and adventure, "Of Serpents & Sea Spray" is a lovely, moving piece ready for production.

Such a tender, lovely play. Beautiful in it's simplicity, great roles for older actors, and much deserving of its many, many awards. Hoke is such a gifted writer--and she really is a must read for all playwrights no matter what stage you're at in your career. This is how a ten minute play is done.

Diaz-Marcano never fails to blow me away with just how fearless he is. "Radical" is exciting and intense and brings to light an important--and not often discussed--moment in world history, but what drew me into the play and kept me there was just how human the characters were. Diaz-Marcano has a gift for writing deeply flawed individuals--and sometimes they are seeking redemption, and sometimes they aren't. Diaz-Marcano writes with relentless courage and honesty and his characters and stories need to be given voices and stage time. Know his name, he's going to really take off.

This is my favorite Diaz-Marcano play I have read to date and I'd like to be the first to predict a long production history and plenty of awards. Fantastic dialogue, engaging and important story. I love Janet and Raquel--they are two powerfully awesome women, both deeply flawed, who team up together when they need to the most. The mythical, magical element adds a more fantastic element to the story--and the end would have me stomping my feet and cheering in the theatre. A great piece about putting true evil where it belongs. Diaz-Marcano is one to watch.

This is a very dark, very important play. I would love to think that no one would express themselves in the way that Paul does--I'd like to think that no one is capable of rationalizing such cruelty, but people are. This play is enraging and upsetting and absolutely terrifying. People need to see this because it is absolutely impossible to ignore. I'll let you know when my gut stops twisting.

A beautiful, short play that tackles a difficult subject with grace and beauty. I love that level of magic--the fact that Luke is dancing around the room, unconcerned, and Edward can see him as he really is. Two wonderful young actors--one who loves being physical!--would really enjoy this play. It's got a lot of heart and I love that the two characters are both young men. Beautiful and sad and funny, but ultimately hopeful--but I'd expect no less of Goldman-Sherman.

What a fabulously unique play that tackles an important issue with complete and total bluntness. It's almost an allegory, and a really good one at that. At first, the play seems like a silly joke, but it's peppered with these moments of the main character being totally vile, but as we watch more and learn more, we see, no, it's not a joke. Just like what Kurt used to joke about isn't a joke, but how sickly satisfying that it comes full circle on him. Really cool idea with a great execution.

Bublitz has such a gift for writing young adults. She is so respectful of them, but she is so honest--capturing them in all their stuttering awkwardness and sheepish attempts at actually committing to something. "Really Adult" is a fantastic two-hander, a slice of life that is really neither funny nor dramatic. It's a bit of both. These two characters are both so determined to be something they are not and are so embarrassed by who they are. The end made me cringe. I sure hope Julie and Frank figure "adulting" out.

What a delightful, sweet, tender slice-of-life Haas has given us. Eva is a charming delight from her first lines--dumping out her purse on the ground!--and Jake is there, but she doesn't need him. A remarkable play about letting yourself live when all you've done is hide--and I so love that Eva leaves at the end (presumably) to do what she wants to do. I'd love to see a married couple play these roles. The "awwww"s would last for days, I assure you. Haas is a wonderfully gifted playwright.