Recommended by River Timms

This may be my favorite play that I’ve read all year, and I’ve read a LOT. Fly gives us a deeply personal dive into the shifts and changes that occur when one begins to discover their true gender identity, as well as all of the challenges that come with it. Set against a melting tundra littered with dead whales, the fantastical and abstract action gives us some distance in order to safely explore the traumas of dysphoria for non-binary people. This play taught me how to write in my own language. Can not recommend highly enough.

Monet has a winner here. ‘Torera’ effortlessly tells a story of gender power dynamics and class struggle by weaving it together through the theatricality of bullfighting. The dialogue shines here, and the conversations between Elena and Tanok mirror those of Pastora and Don Rafael, almost telling a generational love story. No wonder it was picked for the Kilroy’s list. This play should be produced everywhere.

I was privileged to see a reading of this play for the 2019 Ingram New Works festival. Thomas is so effortlessly funny, and the characters’ search for friendship in wacky situations eventually gives way to a genuine search for belonging. I especially resonated with Chris’ love for watching church from home out of fear of being othered if he actually went.

‘Initiative’ is that rare play that balances lighthearted fun with hard-hitting subjects, and it does so with aplomb. The gut punches never come cheap; emotional moments are built up by the care that the characters have for each other. The play has such heart with a strong emphasis on friendship, and it asks the question we are sometimes too afraid to ask ourselves: what do we do when our loved ones only have a short time left with us? Read with a tissue box at hand.

A beautiful play that highlights the mundane and shows how little moments create huge ones, and yet, Szymkowicz chooses to focus on the mundane to showcase how beautiful tiny moments can be in one’s life. The Photographer as a main character telling us the story of the town and the people that live in it was a great choice too! Wholeheartedly recommend.

Keenan-Zelt's "Truth/Dare" is almost two plays at once: one riveting play about the awkwardness of growing up, another about how to grieve and carry on after tragedy and growing apart from close friends. However, she binds these two themes together seamlessly, creating a wonderful drama that brings laughter and tears.

The gay horror play that we all deserve. It's sexy and scary, but it's also a wonderful indictment about LGBTQ media and how infrequently our lives are allowed to be seen onscreen. Please read this play!

With 'Primary User', Eppler crafts a brilliant story of grief that examines how difficult it can be to divide up the emotional pieces of a deceased person amongst those that loved them. Highly recommend.