Recommended by Aly Kantor

You can write about ghosts, demons, and vampires, but in the 21st century, there is no monster more malicious than Capitalism. In a world in which money equals power and power equals comfort, what does it mean to be the weaker link, especially in a relationship? That's why that kind of power and submission fantasies often come up in the bedroom... but what if the dynamic moves beyond the bedroom... and what if there's no safe word? When one partner decides to give the other exactly "what he wants," things begin getting uncomfortable! This play will make you squirm!

This compelling play for teens is an exploration of toxic masculinity in the gaming world... and beyond. It is such a nuance and balanced look at many sources of misogyny and how it impacts ALL people in small but significant ways. The script provides ample opportunities for creative choices (realizing virtual and fantasy spaces!) and even features a flexible ensemble that allows everyone to shine. The dialogue is authentic and engaging, and I'm sure teens will fall in love with these characters and roles! In the era of Andrew Tate, this is an IMPORTANT play for audiences of ALL ages!

This is a tight, fascinating drama that is about so much more than the politics at one Catholic high school - it's about privilege, identity, and existing as an Other in a capitalist "nation." The slam poetry throughout the play added so much texture and gave us a gorgeous window into the mind of Nadiyah. Frankly, all of the characters felt nuanced - there is a real sense that the audience is dropping in on a fully fleshed-out world. The reveals are quick and shocking, and every action feels motivated and justified. Great roles for high school aged girls!

High school is supposed to be where young people learn to be together... but that doesn't work out well for all kids. In this play, those off-kilter loners find refuse in the RPG world, which just happens to be where I grew up. This theatrical piece allows us to see the vibrant internal worlds of these angsty, disenchanted teenagers as they test out different identities and attempt to connect in a world where they make all the rules. The "life or death" high school social stakes were painfully relatable. It's queer, quirky, and has a very satisfying ending!

Oh, this is one super goofy play! I love stories in which characters from two different worlds have more in common than they realize at first glance, and this odd couple is just perfect! The play has fun Halloween vibes but is broad and silly enough to work any time of the year! I was giggling and snickering pretty much non-stop. If you're looking for a fun comedy for the spooky season, make sure to give this short a read. It will make your day!

Great horror is about what you DON'T see, and terrifying, off-stage events (downright GREEK in their epic scale) are deployed to brilliant, horrific effect in this fantastic feminist short. Somehow, this piece is even more chilling and salient in the Post-Roe era, making visible the impossibly high cost of motherhood even in the best-case scenario. The dialogue is spare and succinct, leaving the audience to do the work, filling in the gaps—it's engaging (and very scary) from page one. A sound designer would have an utter field day with this piece! A chilling experience that will stay with you!

You've gotta love a charmingly broken, authentically neurodivergent (and often very self-aware) protagonist with a strong voice, a clear objective, and a gorgeous, affecting character arc! The piece is quick-moving, consistently engaging, and utilizes a chorus-like ensemble to incredibly efficient effect. There are near-infinite opportunities for creative staging. It's the message in this play that will stay with you, however. I truly believe this play has the power to save lives. More than that, it is a stunning answer to the inexplicable question "Why make art?" I hope teens everywhere read this moving play!

What a warm, wonderful play about coming of age and choosing your own family—even if that family is dynamic, with bonds shifting and transforming over time! I've heard "labels should be magnets, not stickers" and a lot of teens need to hear that message while they're still discovering their complex queer identities. This play illustrates that mutability beautifully. Likewise, young actors will fall in love with the opportunity to portray these awkward, open, messy, marvelous characters who look, act, and talk like real teens. I love the subtle but significant transitions—and, of course, the dancing! What a blast!

This is how you write a play for high school-aged actors. Somehow, this large ensemble play is filled with specific, well-developed characters on their own tiny journies, each the protagonist in their own story. I cared about EVERY CHARACTER! Not only are their voices easy to distinguish and track, but each one gets a phenomenal stand-out monologue moment that will give young actors the opportunity to really, truly perform. The drama is authentic, the dialogue is real and consistently funny, and the playwright never condescends or telegraphs anything. I wish I was a teenager performing in this play. Fantastic!

This is the type of visceral, highly theatrical play that I couldn't help but design in my head as I was reading. What's really incredible about this script, however, is that I could HEAR it, which seems to be by design - sound and silence are the main characters in this gorgeous, mournful fairytale world, which would make the audience experience immersive, adding a rich level of dimension you can't find in just any script. Those looking for a compelling queer myth will fall in love with this script, as I have.