Recommended by Rachel Luann Strayer

  • LETTERS TO SALA
    14 Apr. 2020
    LETTERS TO SALA is a powerful piece of history and a tribute to the written word. Based on the true story of a young woman who volunteers to take her sister's place in a Nazi labor camp, this play highlights the dark realities of every day life during the Holocaust. It also asks important questions about sharing our personal histories when they come to have important significance to the world at large. The courage of Sala's determination to save these letters throughout her imprisonment is boldly beautiful. Thanks to Arlene for bringing this stunning story to the stage.
  • How to be a Respectable Junkie
    12 Mar. 2020
    I had the privilege to see HOW TO BE A RESPECTABLE JUNKIE performed at the Dramatists Guild Conference. Vovos has created a character who is very human, likable, and even relatable, making it easy for the audience to sympathize, rather than to judge. There is so much to unpack in this one-man show; I highly recommend bringing Vovos to your school, university, community center, or theatre to help people gain a better understanding of this crisis. The opioid epidemic is a tragedy happening in real time and I'm grateful for his ability to shed light on it.
  • Wings (short play)
    21 Jan. 2020
    A joyful little scene with a lot of potential for creative casting. I think actors & directors will enjoy the freedom this script offers.
  • #WeToo: a dialogue
    6 Dec. 2019
    Beautifully concise with a painful punch. #WeToo deals with the brutal reality of sexual assault being both horrifying and commonplace. Very sad & very real.
  • Limestone City
    2 Jul. 2019
    Limestone City is a unique take on the apocalypse that really plays with the Southern gothic genre. The heart of this unusual tale focuses on navigating difficult family dynamics and learning how to love one another while still making your own way through a crumbling world.
  • City of Ladies
    16 Jun. 2019
    In City of Ladies, Prahl shines light on an intriguing time in history that still speaks volumes today. The play portrays women striving toward the same goal – to have influence in a male-dominated society – while also struggling to support, rather than judge, one another. Well-researched with fascinating characters.
  • The Wolves
    14 May. 2019
    This play is brutal and beautiful. DeLappe captures the raw edges of high school girls who want so badly to find a place for themselves in the world. Whether they hope to belong to the group, or want to move on into adulthood; whether they are trying to make a difference in the world at large, or just trying to make it to the next match, these girls are real and sharp and human. This is a really important play and I hope many young women get to experience it.
  • The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether
    22 Mar. 2019
    A quick foray into one of Poe's more disturbing pieces, The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether is quickly clever as a 10-minute immersive piece. This would be a fascinating introduction to an evening of macabre short plays.
  • Bound by Truth (Full-length Historical Drama)
    22 Nov. 2018
    This is a fascinating play. The focus on More’s relationship with his daughter, Meg Roper, helps to address his complicated ideologies while revealing his humanity. Meg herself is an intriguing character, constantly torn between love for her father and passion for her own beliefs. Really interesting read!
  • Skin and Bone
    15 Aug. 2018
    I saw a fantastic production of "Skin and Bone" performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and I adored it! Witty, fast-paced, and delightfully macabre, it invokes "Arsenic and Old Lace" but with a twisted style that reminds me of Martin McDonagh. Read and enjoy!

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