Recommended by Kari Bentley-Quinn

This is a beautiful, poetic play by Tyler that shows off all his strengths as a writer. The sparse dialogue combined with moments of poetry and visual fantasy reveal the devastation heaped on a family after the suicide of their soldier son. It is one of my favorite plays by this gifted writer.

I had the privilege of watching Lisa develop this play in our Propulsion Lab writers group. . Lisa gives it her unique spin, set partially in the world of organic farming and a steakhouse. It is a funny, quirky, and skilled adaptation of the Persephone myth

I had the privilege of watching LILY IN LOVE develop in our Propulsion Lab writers group. It is an exploration of sexuality, the immigrant experience, and family. Kristine's deft ability to balance comedy and emotional intelligence is on full display here.

DUCK is a wonderful play. The world Jonathan builds is immediately compelling, and he deftly blends pop culture "nerd" tropes with a laser sharp examination of abuse and bigotry. The play never verges into maudlin, as his well timed humor frequently pulls the play from the dark side and brings much needed levity. It's been my privilege to watch this play develop over the past year.

With TRUTH DARE, Tori has written a beautiful, haunting, and true play about one of the most fascinating and intense relationships that can exist: the relationship between teenage girls. Not only does she examine this with aplomb, she delves into the complicated nature of grief, guilt, and belief. A great play that should have a long life off the page.

I was fortunate enough to be the MFA program at Hunter with Dan when he wrote this play. It is a moving, often whimsical, and heartbreaking examination of grief, fantasy, family, and how we move on when moving on feels impossible. Also: guillotines!

This is one of my favorite plays of the last ten years - and reaffirmed my hope that theater and performance can survive even the worst of times.

This is by far one of my favorite plays I have read this year. It's a tale of going back home when you've been away for a long time and not fitting in - a familiar trope - but Leah uses her cultural background, her acerbic sense of humor, and her deft touch with the absurd to craft something very powerful, funny, sad, and true. I felt this play in my bones. It's ambition and craft cannot be overstated.

This was the first David Hilder play I read, and it has all the hallmarks I've come to know from his writing: strong female characters, a wicked sense of humor with impeccable comic timing, emotional resonance, and a sense of something being slightly "off". It is dystopian, yet familiar, which adds to the sense of dread and eeriness that has a very satisfying payoff in the end.

One of my favorites of Callie's plays - a lush look at the choices women must make, and what it means to wholly devote yourself to your craft. Even though it is a period piece, it never feels heavy or antiquated. The characters are rich and layered, and it has a delicious sense of humor while also being moving and heartwrenching.