Recommended by Jasmine Spiess

This offbeat and darkly humorous play is relatable in the current world. The onslaught of human suffering we experience makes us wonder if, as Parker says, “we only have a natural store of the capacity to feel for other people and when it’s used up, it’s just gone and we can’t feel anything for anyone.” The comical twists and turns as the empathicist valiantly tries to address this statement using “Parker Two” to help Parker examine the past, present, and future of their life is an effective plot device to get Parker to come back to empathy.

To be born out of tragedy, to witness the tragedy, to know the pain and guilt of the tragedy...To wonder what if the tragedy hadn't happened? This artfully crafted play sneaks up on you through the threads of different points of view from the tragedy ending a boy's life and how it shaped everyone it touched. Before you know it, tears are streaming down your face.

This drama highlights the schisms between people and their personal version of "God" in America, even within the same church with a literal gun to their heads. With mass shootings as an all-too-common occurrence in America, it is not surprising that Andrew has found himself at wit's end. There is great irony in an anti-gun activist holding church ladies hostage for an elaborate master plan that will end all the madness. You could cut the tension with a chainsaw and the twists and turns show grace, violence, and changes of heart coming in unexpected moments.

This play is such a wonderful commentary on religious fundamentalism and cleverly addresses the issue using pigeons. I found myself really rooting for Rue and Prue to be able to live their lives and be happy on their terms. The characters are so earnest. Of course, the backdrop of a funeral adds to the comedy. Can’t wait to see how it continues to develop after seeing it at the Valdez Theatre Conference!

This play is so heartbreaking on so many levels… Two men trying to connect, trying to find solace in each other, but also acknowledging the harsh realities of being a person of color in the US. One of the most poignant parts for me was hearing the vivid dreams and that they were all real, leading to the metaphor of America as a “Sundown Town”. This is brilliant and brave work that should be widely produced. Congrats on your workshop at VTC!

After hearing the buzz about this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference, I'm glad I was able to catch the recording. This is so powerful on so many levels and really takes the audience on a journey that ultimately makes the statement, "You have your whole life ahead of you." It was so smart to juxtapose the animals about to be euthanized and the human voices Colleen attached to them. I may never recover from the labrador moment. So beautiful. Congratulations, Ashley!

Dave Osmundsen's beautiful storytelling brings us to ask how much we rob ourselves of the ability to feel by overthinking. "Less thinking - More Feeling". When her father asks her to wish upon a star and Kim starts to think too much, unable to even choose a star to wish upon, it resonated with me. Our fears and "limiting editor" hold us back from what could be the most profound experiences. Looking forward to its further development and continued productions! Congratulations!

What a horrifically fantastic play this is (in the best way!)! It was great to see it onstage as part of the Valdez Theatre Conference! You are a master world-builder. I love that this play is driven by the need to have some "normalcy" by having Christmas in an apocalyptic world. The harder the characters try to have a normal Christmas, the more the truth comes out - such a wild ride! Jeff's monologue about what he saw is still dancing around in my head. Looking forward to seeing its further development and production! Congratulations, Michael!

This new myth is so beautifully fantastical, heartbreaking, and hopeful - all at the same time. What struck me most about this play is not even that it was such an amazingly crafted post-apocalyptic world, but that the need for family, community, love, and belonging were very much at the heart of the play. The dialogue flowed like water and I can only imagine what this will be like in full production! The possibilities are endless! I can't wait to see where this goes! It was an honor to read your stage directions at the Valdez Theatre Conference!

This piece is so powerful. You have an incredible knack for presenting really difficult situations with compassion and humor - and you do it in a way that is so well-crafted. I'm still deeply reflecting on the line, "Why am I obligated to uphold HIS Heaven if it means MY Hell?" THANK YOU for telling such a relatable and brave story. THANK YOU for the acknowledgement of problematic theatre and THANK YOU for the prayer for creators. I appreciate that you recognize that this story can be triggering and offer materials to those who need them in support. THANK YOU!