Recommended by Aly Kantor

This seems like any ordinary reunion, as two college-aged twin siblings return home for Thanksgiving break, but an unspoken tension permeates the interaction from page one. Slowly but surely, we learn that there is more than resentment or jealousy underlying this conversation. This bittersweet piece features excellent roles for college-aged actors, and the dialogue is refreshingly naturalistic. Despite the heavy truth at the heart of this play, it never feels overwrought. I love how sensitively the playwright handled this delicate subject matter, and it's very clear that she trusts her audience to put the pieces together.

Never was the adage "You can't have your cake and eat it, too" illustrated more humorously or elegantly than in this quirky two-hander, in which a half-burned candle becomes so much more. Filled with two colorful and specific characters (we all KNOW these women!), the piece reminds us that the pleasures of life are to be enjoyed, not put away for an imagined "later" that may or may not ever come. Depending on which sister you align with, the play will either make you gasp and clutch your chest or nod knowingly. A warm, funny, though-provoking delight!

This is a taut, naturalistic, and ultimately heartwarming family drama that is seamlessly plotted, with stakes that grow and grow as the play goes on, leaving audiences wondering what they would do in the protagonist's position. The cast of characters is incredibly specific and rich with shared history, showing their colors without ever falling into stereotypes. The ending evokes a more grounded and contemporary take on "The Curious Savage" with a one-two punch of a twist that will leave audiences talking. I am particularly fond of some stage pictures, which say so much without words. A new holiday classic!

This brave, important play is going to mean so much to the many, many (too many) girls who have experienced assault on college campuses—particularly queer girls, who don't always see themselves in stories like these. The piece does a phenomenal job putting the audience in Maya's headspace using the appearance of the character Brendan - even just the sight of him crossing the stage without any lines was enough to elicit a paranoid jumpscare. Meanwhile, the play does a great job of balancing the real responses victims encounter - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Moving, inspiring work.

This fascinating two-hander presents mental illness in a way I've never seen it presented before: as an embodied "roommate" in the protagonist's mind - a codependent friend they need space from in order to thrive. It's brutally honest, depicting the fear of departing from a familiar norm, even when you know it's ultimately for the best. There is plenty of room for thrilling yet simple theatrical magic in the staging and design choices. Ultimately, audiences will be engaged from the start as they piece together the circumstances. This is an empathic short with a lot of heart!

This is such a cathartic play, absolutely loaded with unique, specific characters whose distinct characteristics make them painfully relatable. It's a tight, brilliant look at how ignorance leads to othering, even - and especially - among those who are most like you. Though the piece is ostensibly about grief, it's also sharp and funny, maintaining a subtlety that makes the characters feel real and nuanced. Neurodivergent audience members will see themselves in this fractured family, and allistics (or those in denial, like Cali) will come to understand an alternate way of seeing and being in the world.

Nothing brings out honesty quite like a promise of the end of the world, and confession flows as freely as the $400 wine in this tender one-act. The two characters at the story's center feel incredibly rich and lived-in, making it so easy to become invested in their story-that-could-have-been. As a result, the stunning reversal comes as a surprising, moving relief. This is a play that asks, "What wonderful things are you missing out on because of fear?" - and makes you want to act before you have something to REALLY be afraid of! Really lovely!

Truth is stranger than fiction in this absurd and honest COVID-era play. Avery does a great job balancing what the characters know and what the audience knows to create a consistent sense of both tension and curiosity that makes the play feel both urgent and dynamic. Our hero, Emily, is almost a Mary Poppins figure, appearing just long enough to shake things up and call attention to some dangerous hypocrisy. As a COVID-era educator, I can attest to the honesty and chaos depicted in this play. Not only that, but it's funny, with significant, challenging roles for young women!

Oh, the things well-meaning people will go along with to maintain a fragile sense of security in a world LITERALLY buried in garbage! I ADORE this cast of quirky, recognizable women who are keeping the terrible man at the center of this scandal afloat. The circumstances are silly, but the personal stakes are consistently high. Easily staged in a single conference room, the hilarious sight gags and physical comedy keep things dynamic! This quick-moving play never pauses for a second... just when you think it has, things somehow escalate AGAIN! A timely workplace comedy with fantastic comedic roles for women!

This educational piece illuminates a little-known slice of history and makes it incredibly accessible! It could be performed efficiently and effectively by a traveling educational theatre troupe as on-site interpretive theatre, or the roles shared by Actor 1 and Actor 2 could be split to accommodate a larger cast of student performers. Structurally, this play is a wonderful collage of primary sources, including direct quotes, letters, and even music, lending texture and credibility. It was clearly meticulously researched! During a moment of widespread anti-semitism in America, this piece could start and guide important conversations.