Recommended by Ian Donley

  • Ian Donley: The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt by Brenton Kniess
    “

    Usually with plays about puppets, they either go mushy or dark (with no in-between). Brenton Kniess is able to find it the perfect middle ground: absurd and heartwarming. It’s the combination I never knew I needed to see.

    Usually with plays about puppets, they either go mushy or dark (with no in-between). Brenton Kniess is able to find it the perfect middle ground: absurd and heartwarming. It’s the combination I never knew I needed to see.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Monster (Or #MeToo, Brute) by Marshall Logan Gibbs
    “

    I love when playwrights have the courage to adapt Shakespeare and put his work into a modern frame (like James Ijames' "Fat Ham" a few years ago). Like Ijames, Marshall Logan Gibbs has breathed new life into another one of Shakespeare's known tragedies. Gibbs' script brilliantly satirizes the people that have this 21st century desire of seeking fame at whatever cost, and what happens when they get their much-needed poetic justice.

    I love when playwrights have the courage to adapt Shakespeare and put his work into a modern frame (like James Ijames' "Fat Ham" a few years ago). Like Ijames, Marshall Logan Gibbs has breathed new life into another one of Shakespeare's known tragedies. Gibbs' script brilliantly satirizes the people that have this 21st century desire of seeking fame at whatever cost, and what happens when they get their much-needed poetic justice.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Autistic Doula- MONOLOGUE by H. Avery
    “

    "Autistic Doula" is a wonderfully written monologue that addresses many lived experiences we as autistic people are familiar with that don't get enough attention by society.

    "Autistic Doula" is a wonderfully written monologue that addresses many lived experiences we as autistic people are familiar with that don't get enough attention by society.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Do Not Resuscitate: A Mini Play About The Able-Bodied by H. Avery
    “

    H. Avery has written one of the most brilliant criticisms of what it means to be able-bodied I have ever read. It effortlessly makes you uncomfortable so that the underlying message is portrayed effectively.

    H. Avery has written one of the most brilliant criticisms of what it means to be able-bodied I have ever read. It effortlessly makes you uncomfortable so that the underlying message is portrayed effectively.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: The Thing About Me- MONOLOGUE by H. Avery
    “

    H. Avery's monologue is a poignant look at how necessary it is to stand up for oneself in a society not made for everyone.

    H. Avery's monologue is a poignant look at how necessary it is to stand up for oneself in a society not made for everyone.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Song and Dance Man by Debra A. Cole
    “

    "Song and Dance Man" is a bittersweet love letter for mothers who want nothing but the best for their children.

    "Song and Dance Man" is a bittersweet love letter for mothers who want nothing but the best for their children.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Back From the Dead by Rene Zabel
    “

    "Back From the Dead" incorporates fresh storytelling and old school theatricality to present a well-devised horror piece that would look great on stage.

    "Back From the Dead" incorporates fresh storytelling and old school theatricality to present a well-devised horror piece that would look great on stage.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party by Samantha Oty
    “

    Like all dark comedies, this play carries humor and heart together without missing a beat. The characters are distinct and relatable, and the twists and turns are unexpected.

    Like all dark comedies, this play carries humor and heart together without missing a beat. The characters are distinct and relatable, and the twists and turns are unexpected.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Two Sleeping Babes by Samantha Oty
    “

    This short play had me captivated from the jump. Samantha Oty writes these two characters with very little detail on the page yet gives plenty of room for the audience to understand who they are based on behavior. This is a well-written short play that needs to be produced!

    This short play had me captivated from the jump. Samantha Oty writes these two characters with very little detail on the page yet gives plenty of room for the audience to understand who they are based on behavior. This is a well-written short play that needs to be produced!

    ”
  • Ian Donley: The Fall of Anne Boleyn; Presented as a Modern Day FaceTime Call by Samantha Oty
    “

    Samantha Oty's modern retelling of one of Henry VIII's many women is freshly comedic yet still carries the tragedy a situation like Anne's calls for.

    Samantha Oty's modern retelling of one of Henry VIII's many women is freshly comedic yet still carries the tragedy a situation like Anne's calls for.

    ”