Recommended by Juan Ramirez, Jr.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I read this deeply engaging play set after two hurricanes, non-stop rain and a city burning to the ground, where married couple David and Miriam wait for their son Mike to return from a food run, when Sarah and her young daughter Frannie arrive, hoping for help. The play tackles privilege and equity, asking the characters to find common ground, and in return, asking audiences to also ask themselves the same questions.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play about
Yudy, who joins the army when she becomes a survivor of sexual abuse, when her older brother in the army, A.B., does not believe her. The betrayal leads her to take on a journey alone to ultimately make the choice to tell her story. The concept of soldiers acting as a Greek chorus is hauntingly beautiful. This play does the work to keep the conversation going.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I read this play about Maria, a women in her 40s who is seen by her demanding mother, Delores, as not enough for a man to ever want to marry her. As the chance for love arrives, she starts her plight to show her brothers that their mother's love is filled with manipulation. This great family drama, filled with much humor, is also a cautionary tale, hoping to bring light to the necessity of one needing to become their own person.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I read this play, surrounding itself around a kidnapping, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Slack, Ro and Cameo are obsessed with their pasts, trying to use it to define their present and possible futures, which may be scarier than what they are experiencing now. The play is filled with strong monologues, moments of beautiful horror and a clay wall that changes in meaning. Audiences will go on a journey where the characters come a bit closer to understanding themselves.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play that takes place in Puerto Rico, where a family's coffee plantation is impacted by the arrival of an investor, revealing secrets within the family, while also taking everything from them. This wonderfully structured play embraces Gothic horror elements, engaging monologues and a strong soundscape - all meant to take audiences into the haunting Enchantment. This play focuses on the impact of power, secrets and most daunting of all, a scary change, all the while leaving hope for the island's people.

This is truly an amazing epic story that will engage audience members from beginning to end. As the plot unfolds, it wraps you tight, keeping you deeply engaged throughout. Wonderfully written, the characters are powerful, hilarious, truthful and beautifully inspiring. When these characters get upset, so will you. When they are sad, so will you be. When they smile, I promise you'll feel joy. This play is for actors, is for queer love, is for making a statement on the stage. This play will inspire you to tell your great story.

Maybe you're like Ángel, when love arrives, it means everything. Or perhaps you're like Chupi, eager to be loved even if you think you're not worthy. Or perhaps you're like Rami, and you believe that there's something worth loving in all of us. This play makes you tell on yourself, see yourself and love yourself. Bring your heart on your sleeve and you'll be transformed.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play and the love between the characters of Monterey and Maximilian. Set in the early 70s, the play is structured like a book, with each scene containing poetic dialogue, giving room for the performers to explore the nuances of this powerful relationship. It's also clear how the intimacy of the play will invite audiences into this story. The play takes us on a heartfelt journey of our first loves.

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this powerful work and was immediately captured by the character of Fernando, along with the world he survives and suffers in. The structure of the play is intriguing, as the audience will move through time and genre, exploring elements of sci-fi and magical realism. The projected visceral visuals are sure to provoke emotion. This is truly a wonderful play.

This play received a wonderful virtual reading with The Chain Theatre part of the 2021 Play Lab. Margaret and Thomas will take you on a journey to recognize when a permanent change is underway and afterward, what parts of our past life we must acknowledge. "Dying is hard work for the living", so in the mean time, we must do everything to keep the connections we presently have. Filled with drama and comedy, this play will help you remember your own beautiful family memories.