Recommended by Stephen Kaplan

A brilliantly written play that masterfully captures the themes of bullying and ostracism and their effects and causes. With multiple parts for young actors to dive into, Hageman avoids the stereotypical tropes that often come with this subject matter and shows that she really understands the psyches of teenagers and what school feels like for so many of them. And just when things feel like they're at their darkest, she shines a light on the things we all can do to better understand and help each other and ourselves.

A great examination of a situation we know well, but Koppen finds even more modern relevance and connection than one may have noticed before. We sadly see how little things have changed in society, but the play still sparks (no pun intended) hope and possibility for how things could and should be, and how we all could learn more from history.

A startlingly simple and beautiful play that delves into the devastation that comes after a natural disaster (in this case, a hurricane in Puerto Rico). Diaz-Marcano finds the humanity that is often forgotten in these situations and creates a funny and touching tale of loss and hope.

Students of mine (high school seniors) chose this play to direct for their senior project and the actors and audience really enjoyed it. It's a Black Mirror/Twilight Zone-esque world that speaks to the anxieties and realities of teenagers today. The characters are fantastic and rich for young actors to explore and there is a lovely balance of humor mixed in with the seriousness of the situation in which the characters find themselves. Highly recommended.

A fantastic piece! Totally surprising - just when you think you know where it's going you're delighted to be thrown a brilliant curveball - and then another. Hilarious and simultaneously provocative and deeply philosophical. A pure joy to read and I'd love to see a production of it!

Gatton immediately creates a full world peopled with fully developed characters that jump off the page - something so hard to do in a short piece. The dialogue is truthful and funny and biting and sad and honest...all at once. A brilliant piece.

Such a magical and poetic piece and, while it's rooted in history, Burbano's updates make it feel so current and relevant. A fantastic rhythm and authenticity to the language and a story that is visceral and full of impact. Would love to see this on stage.

A very powerful investigation into the psyche of a young mass shooter. Meyers finds the humanity in such a troubled mind and our need as a society to understand why these things happen.

A very powerful monologue with beautifully specific details that hauntingly amplify the sadness and longing of a mother struggling to connect with her child. While the specifics of this piece relate to a woman's husband away at war, Wyndham captures every parents loss and confusion in trying to simply do best by their children.

A lovely mix of magic realism and Americana. There's a simplicity to the play that immediately draws you in and belies the beautiful complexity of the themes and characters within.