Recommended by Chris Gacinski

Within one minute, Scott Sickles shows life as a sex worker during a pandemic, accompanied by a few laughs and the theme of desiring normalcy during these unfamiliar times. We all want to get back to work. All of us. “Vanilla” showcases that.

Philip Middleton Williams explores every facet of this father-son relationship, and showcases the things we wish to say/do for our family. The theme of loss and the bitterness that comes with it is alleviated by the wealth of emotion Williams has displayed within their relationship. A thoughtful and poignant exchange of words and emotion.

As my first foray into Lockhart’s work, I was genuinely pleased with “Shore House.” This piece is made up of ten separate short plays, all occurring in the same setting. These stories Lockhart tells blend beauty, melancholy, and comedy to provide an immersive and engaging evening of theatre. This piece is perfect for universities with small budgets, and has amazing roles for college students!

This play was intense! Sickles immerses you in a dystopian world with the first beat and carries it all the way through the end with poignant dialogue and well-written characters. Sickles has created a complexly woven tapestry of emotion as we witness the growth of these two young boys, and the decline of their countries. Ultimately, Sickles’s has an important didactic element encapsulated in “Marianas Trench:” finding positivity in times of turmoil and oppression. This piece is an array of flowers that bloomed in a wasteland. One of the best I’ve read in recent memory.

Current, comedic, and engaging, Wagner chronicles a young woman’s method of passing time during quarantine. “Warrior, Level Eleven” blends theatre and video games for an overall unique theatre experience. Any actresses looking for a current monologue should look no further than this piece! I cannot wait to dig deeper into Wagner’s oeuvre.

If you know, you know. This had me rolling.

This play was a punch in the throat. A harrowing plot and structurally sound characters create a dramatic and emotion-ridden story that regards the darker side of life. You can’t help but feel for Ruth and Naomi; their pain translates so well, and that’s due to Arms conception and writing style, heightening the stakes with each passing page. A great role for an older actor, and a piece that deserves more eyes on it.

Dave Osmundsen has created a scenario we are all familiar with: forced to reside within the four walls of our abodes. This sense of isolation is exemplified through “Only You Can Reject Jelly Beans,” and Otis’s way of passing the unknown amount of time he’s encapsulated in his place may make you laugh, but it will most definitely make you think.

Gill’s “Cold Dead Heart” explores two lovers separated by mortality. The writer’s firm grasp of relationships plays heavily into the success of the piece, as the fantasy elements amplify the story and provide a unique reading experience. Those interested in a contemporary approach to the inclusion of vampirism in literature should look towards this play. It’s a one of a kind play by a one of a kind writer.

Sickles has flawlessly executed the blend of poetry and theatre in “Bulletproof Love.” Each line flows beautifully into the next with very detailed prose outlining this relationship separated by prison bars. A powerful display of Scott Sickles’s writing ability and his rich, complex characters.