Recommended by Aly Kantor

  • On 9th Street
    8 Jan. 2022
    In this delightful, slice-of-life ensemble piece, we're introduced to four historical female artists whose work is being presented in a decrepit New York City tenement. In a world in which their work is an afterthought (on multiple levels), they make one another feel seen and appreciated. Together, they must reconcile their disappointments with the reality that every small opportunity is a step toward success. Artists of all mediums will see themselves in these angsty starving artists - playwrights included! By the end of the play, I found myself rooting for each and every one of them.
  • Aloha Apocalypse (Ten Minute Play)
    8 Jan. 2022
    This humorous and tense meditation on the true scale of an apocalypse is full of charm, specificity, and genuine humanity. We are introduced to a couple who have been together for years and, in a matter of minutes, are forced to reveal their regrets, heartbreaks, and deepest, darkest secrets. Even though the bomb dropped isn't what was expected, we're left wondering how these two well-drawn, delightfully flawed characters will handle the "fallout" of their near-death experience. This was a brilliant way to turn a real historical event into a small but satisfying work of art!
  • Day 761
    7 Jan. 2022
    We all think we know what we need to survive, but anyone who has ever lived through trauma knows that Maslow was wrong - we need art, and we need one another. In this short piece, the playwright introduces us to a group of young adults who are learning this lesson in real-time. The naturalistic dialogue illuminates the relationships between the characters, as well as the central theme of the play: that questioning can't hurt you, but blind trust might. This is a compelling, character-driven piece for an ensemble of young performers.
  • Amber
    7 Jan. 2022
    There is a reason why cryptids show up across cultures, across space, and across time. They are our worst fears made manifest in a form that generates human empathy - the story. Here, the playwright has used the tale of Mothman to illuminate ideas about shared belief and the reliability of memory. I appreciated that the reader is left to decide the truth for themselves! Belief is the thing capable of building and shattering community, and we see that in action here. I'd love to see this developed into a full-length work.
  • Opening Night (a play for Zoom)
    7 Jan. 2022
    "Stop yelling, Jeff! You're scaring Douglas!"

    Oh. My. Goodness. While reading this play, I quickly went from not knowing what to expect to REALLY not knowing what to expect! I don't know how John managed to achieve this balance of pure cringe and catharsis! It's a wonderful use of the Zoom platform, with technological foibles written right into the script!. If you're wondering if physical comedy is possible on Zoom, look no further!
  • Wetworking From Home (a play for Zoom)
    7 Jan. 2022
    Comedy master John Busser has written what might be the world's funniest "covid play" about an aging hitman trying to figure out how to work from home during the pandemic. It's full of clever, disarming zingers - and just when you think you know what to expect, it makes the sudden shift to a Zoom format! Against all odds, in the context of the pandemic, these bumbling assassins become relatable to the everyman! I don't want to give the hilarious twists away, but know I was laughing until "end of play!"
  • Heartworm
    5 Jan. 2022
    It can be hard to be a human, and mental illness can sometimes make it even harder. This gentle, relatable play explores the relationship between a man and his dog, showing the importance of the unconditional relationships in our lives. The play is full of sweet sentiment and just as much humor and wordplay - it is powerful in its simplicity. Most importantly, it made me feel seen during a challenging, isolated time. I am grateful to have stumbled upon this play at the right moment. Thank you.
  • Fragile Minds
    5 Jan. 2022
    This play will lure you into a false sense of security! It begins as your typical kitchen sink drama, with a nervous woman preparing the house for the arrival of visiting family. As it turns out, she really did have something to be nervous about! The playwright drops plenty of little grenades, any of which could go off at any moment, leading to a tense but humorous family farce. The ensemble does their best to protect the "fragile mind" of the baby of the family, only to reveal their own challenges and fragility in the process!
  • Follow the Misleader
    4 Jan. 2022
    This hilarious physical comedy is full of surprises - some of them for the actors - and would be an excellent vehicle for improvisers looking to get into the stage acting game! In the piece, a power-hungry stage directions reader coopts a murder mystery. There are tons of great callbacks, like an invisible couch that the actors must consistently avoid. I can't imagine this play being performed exactly the same way twice! I am sure this play would be a blast for actors and audiences alike!
  • L&A – A One-Act Play
    3 Jan. 2022
    This heartbreaking play about the relationship between an autistic student and his tutor is a testament to the power of drama as a tool for healing. In the play, Anthony builds a world where he has control - and in doing so, finally finds the language that he needs in order to communicate his desires and frustrations. When a shocking reversal compromises the trust between student and mentor, the reader is left wondering when this young man will have the opportunity to express himself so clearly again. This is a beautiful, incredibly honest two-hander that DnD players will love.

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