Recommended by Anne G. Morgan

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Samantha Collier and their play Daisy Violet the Bitch Beast King 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 wild blend of absurdism and reality and its dive into pointed gender politics and sibling relationships.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Howard Ho and their play Various Emporia 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 deft maneuvering between the family's dynamics and the way racism pervades their lives.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Joe Waechter and their play Hidden People 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 likably dislikable characters, inventive mythological world, and dark comedic tone.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Rebecca Bossen and their play Delilah Lee 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 play’s distinctive voice and vivid landscape, as well as the highly theatrical use of music.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Kristiana Colón and their play florissant &canfield 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 vivid depiction of contemporary American issues, as well as its rhythmic dialogue and passionately political tone.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Jodi Rothe and their play Agora 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 imaginative setup of this play and its depiction of realistic family dynamics.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Hansol Jung and their play Wolf Play 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 deeply moving dissection of the meaning of family, as well as the innovative theatricality of both the structure and character of Wolf.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Jess Honovich and their play Giant Slalom 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 trio of complex, layered female characters, as well as the theatricality of the skiing.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Eljon Wardally and their play Blooming in Dry Season 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 lyrical play about a Grenadian family struggling with their failures and futures, while dealing with traditional gender roles in changing times.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Oded Gross and their play Dantino's 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 marriage of classical genre with contemporary themes, as well as its seamless farcical structure and dialogue.