Recommended by Jan Rosenberg

  • Jan Rosenberg: For Leonora, or, Companions by Hayley St. James
    “

    It is so exciting to read a budding romance between two queer, autistic adults trying to navigate a world built for neurotypicals. I recognized much of the pain, loneliness, and anxiety in Nora, and rarely have seen this experience expressed in any form of media. It's difficult to capture in words, but St. James has done so beautifully. Also...I was SOLD when I realized the hyena was her therapist. This play is such a comfort and I'm glad that it exists.

    It is so exciting to read a budding romance between two queer, autistic adults trying to navigate a world built for neurotypicals. I recognized much of the pain, loneliness, and anxiety in Nora, and rarely have seen this experience expressed in any form of media. It's difficult to capture in words, but St. James has done so beautifully. Also...I was SOLD when I realized the hyena was her therapist. This play is such a comfort and I'm glad that it exists.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Our Tempest by Jake Brasch
    “

    Jake is a genius. Never thought I would love a play that touches on the pandemic and fears for the future. Our Tempest is hilarious, outrageous, honest, and chilling. It's stayed with me long after the staged reading.

    Jake is a genius. Never thought I would love a play that touches on the pandemic and fears for the future. Our Tempest is hilarious, outrageous, honest, and chilling. It's stayed with me long after the staged reading.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Salutations, I'm Creative Dave by Jake Brasch
    “

    One of the most hilarious, wacky, and emotional plays I've seen. Jake is an exciting playwright to watch.

    One of the most hilarious, wacky, and emotional plays I've seen. Jake is an exciting playwright to watch.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Sin Eaters by Anna Ouyang Moench
    “

    A funny nightmarish play about desensitized we all are to the horrors around us. Better than a Black Mirror episode. Trippy as hell.

    A funny nightmarish play about desensitized we all are to the horrors around us. Better than a Black Mirror episode. Trippy as hell.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Willed Bodies by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    All of Ashley's plays combine the sacred with the gruesome. I'm stunned by how she constantly finds such beauty in the darkest of places.

    All of Ashley's plays combine the sacred with the gruesome. I'm stunned by how she constantly finds such beauty in the darkest of places.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: SHRINES by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    SHRINES is a delicate balance of grief and humor. It says so much about the way we memorialize people. How much of it is a performance for ourselves, and do we really allow ourselves to FEEL the loss if we're desperately trying to keep someone 'alive'? Another wonderful play by Ashley Rose Wellman. P.S, don't google image search 'lipoma'.

    SHRINES is a delicate balance of grief and humor. It says so much about the way we memorialize people. How much of it is a performance for ourselves, and do we really allow ourselves to FEEL the loss if we're desperately trying to keep someone 'alive'? Another wonderful play by Ashley Rose Wellman. P.S, don't google image search 'lipoma'.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: You Are The Blood by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    If it isn't becoming obvious that I'm now a huge Ashley Rose Wellman fan, here's another review! What excites me most about these plays is how deep into the dark they go. Wellman picks the scab and digs around in there with a fork. This is family at its most dysfunctional. We don't have to understand all of these characters or even love them to accept them. They are who they are...even David, who is the hardest to understand of all. Also, great song reference/title!

    If it isn't becoming obvious that I'm now a huge Ashley Rose Wellman fan, here's another review! What excites me most about these plays is how deep into the dark they go. Wellman picks the scab and digs around in there with a fork. This is family at its most dysfunctional. We don't have to understand all of these characters or even love them to accept them. They are who they are...even David, who is the hardest to understand of all. Also, great song reference/title!

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: That Long Damn Dark by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    Hurt people hurt people hurt people hurt people...That Long Damn Dark explores the ugliest place we have deep down inside ourselves. Spooky and thrilling. "Do you want to be stuck in this godforsaken box for the rest of your life?" I won't soon forget this play.

    Hurt people hurt people hurt people hurt people...That Long Damn Dark explores the ugliest place we have deep down inside ourselves. Spooky and thrilling. "Do you want to be stuck in this godforsaken box for the rest of your life?" I won't soon forget this play.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Hot Tragic Dead Thing by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    WOW. What a ride this was...unrelenting in its darkness, and kept me shocked right til the very end. Extremely thought-provoking.

    WOW. What a ride this was...unrelenting in its darkness, and kept me shocked right til the very end. Extremely thought-provoking.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Kill Shelter by Ashley Rose Wellman
    “

    This is a stunning play. I am excited to read more of Wellman's work.

    This is a stunning play. I am excited to read more of Wellman's work.

    ”