Recommended by Anne G. Morgan

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Eric Marlin and their play bad things happen here as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers responded to the sharp dialogue and seamless flowing of scenes, from one to the next, which built complexity and meaning.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Donna Hoke and their play Elevator Girl as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers responded to the play’s sharply imagined world and its use of comedic and comic book genres to explore difficult contemporary issues.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Jenny Davis and their play Scientific Method as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers especially responded to the play's heightened, theatricalized presentation of scientific concepts.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Dominic Finocchiaro and their play Trees in their Youth as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers were struck by how the play approaches universal themes and experiences by using rhythmic dialogue and heightened theatricality.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Ken Weitzman and their play seal boy as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers responded to the play’s absurd, fast-paced approach to universal experiences, resulting in an utterly unique character study.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Alix Sobler and their play Sheltered as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers were struck by how the play subverts expectations and draws parallels between historical events and contemporary conversations about refugees.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Claire Tran and their play Steel Cutter as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers responded to the play’s wonderful mixture of theatricality, realism and magical realism contained within a winning story about a Vietnamese family in America.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Sevan K. Greene and their play I Am Not Mine as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers were struck by this both timeless and timely nuanced, humanized examination of the impact of war.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Andrew Rosendorf and their play Paper Cut as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers were struck by the play’s unique interrogation of culturally received ideas about masculinity and its urgently conceived, intersectional exploration of identity.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Alexis Roblan and their play You Feel So Far Away Right Now as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers especially responded to play’s unique meld of genres and its examination of human connection and intimacy.