Recommended by Jennifer Kokai

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Kira Rockwell as a winner of the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. The committee found The Tragic Ecstasy of Girlhood beautifully written with well crafted believable characters. The play artfully conveys the lives of girls caught in difficult circumstances, but who still find wonder, humor, and love in their chosen family.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Sam Hernandez for being a winner of the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. Our committee loved the humor, honesty, and incisiveness the script offered in its examination of young people trying to figure out what meaningful protest is, what identity(s) they feel they can claim, and also just what are they going to do after college.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Joni Ravenna for being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women festival. Her timely play takes up the very important topic of human trafficking, which is a significant social problem the committee feels deserves more attention. Ravenna's script personalizes this horror and we encourage others to look at this script and consider producing it.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Katherine Vondy on being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. Our readers were captured by a propulsive plot that asks us to reflect upon what happens to the moral high ground when you’re trying to survive? We highly recommend this piece to theatres looking to produce engrossing works on ethics in an ecologically changing world.

Powerstories Theatre commends Sophie Goldstein as a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women festival. The committee was intrigued by the use of structure to convey the experience of living with Dementia. Our readers were left reflecting upon the consequences of not accepting humans for who they are because of our own limitations.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Amy Tofte as a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. The selection committee noted the humor as a particularly strong quality, and were left with reflections on the fragility of humans and the difficulty of separating a beloved work of art from a flawed artist.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Barbara Blatner for being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. Readers commented on: "the blend of history, humor, and emotional complexity that offers something unique for audiences" and declared it "a piece that invites nuance, discovery, and bold female perspectives."

Powerstories Theatre commends Sarah Grace for being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. One reader commented: "This play gave me hope. That we are capable of learning, moving forward and loving."

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Adrienne Dawes for being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. Dupe asks important questions about identity, family, and authorial integrity with crackling dialogue and arresting characters.

Powerstories Theatre congratulates Patti Veconi for being a finalist for the 2026 Voices of Women Festival. Our readers noted that the play gave them insight into the lives of strong, hard-working, honest folk in rural America. It shone an important light on mental illness and generational trauma.