Recommended by Arthur M Jolly

  •

    Powerfully moving, and a lifetime of hurt, regret, recovery and trauma enfolded into a brief, beautifully written play. Cocco dives deep into the core of these vivid characters, and takes us on a heart-wrenching journey. An outstanding small-cast play, and one an audience will remember.

    Powerfully moving, and a lifetime of hurt, regret, recovery and trauma enfolded into a brief, beautifully written play. Cocco dives deep into the core of these vivid characters, and takes us on a heart-wrenching journey. An outstanding small-cast play, and one an audience will remember.

  •

    Brilliantly original, Kraay uses her poetry and artistic voice to take us to new worlds, new universes, new possibilities–and makes it look effortless. This is a play that challenges a director and scenic designer to reach for their best selves, with three roles that would be a delight for actors looking for roles that could make them shine. It's writing at the highest level, and a play that will transport an audience.

    Brilliantly original, Kraay uses her poetry and artistic voice to take us to new worlds, new universes, new possibilities–and makes it look effortless. This is a play that challenges a director and scenic designer to reach for their best selves, with three roles that would be a delight for actors looking for roles that could make them shine. It's writing at the highest level, and a play that will transport an audience.

  • Satori

    by Nicholas Walker Herbert

    Resonant of Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths," and equally as moving and emotionally riveting, Herbert has created a powerful drama for our time, and a vicious dissection of contemporary society. In his capable hands, the young adults trapped by the world they live in struggle against inequality within a hostile society, trapped inside an inexorable machine we recognize all too well. Achingly beautiful.

    Resonant of Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths," and equally as moving and emotionally riveting, Herbert has created a powerful drama for our time, and a vicious dissection of contemporary society. In his capable hands, the young adults trapped by the world they live in struggle against inequality within a hostile society, trapped inside an inexorable machine we recognize all too well. Achingly beautiful.

  •

    I was lucky enough to see this one in Valdez, where it delighted the audience. Kissinger's "Sorry We're Open" has a genuine heart beneath the emotional fireworks and inter-personal clashes, powered by very witty, dimensional, well-crafted characters in a workplace comedy that rises above the genre.

    I was lucky enough to see this one in Valdez, where it delighted the audience. Kissinger's "Sorry We're Open" has a genuine heart beneath the emotional fireworks and inter-personal clashes, powered by very witty, dimensional, well-crafted characters in a workplace comedy that rises above the genre.

  •

    A wonderful clash between two students, one the prom crown winner, and the other the "influencer" who's already practicing an acceptance speech they'll never get to post. Funny, timeley, and a wicked delight!

    A wonderful clash between two students, one the prom crown winner, and the other the "influencer" who's already practicing an acceptance speech they'll never get to post. Funny, timeley, and a wicked delight!

  • Arthur M Jolly: Black Card by Marcus Scott
    “

    Packed with verisimitude, this play delves into the niche world of Olympic level fencing, and does so with style and verve. In Tariq and Pierre, Scott has created rivals who compete in realms far beyond the piste, and raise profound questions of identity and presentation in a well-constructed ten minute play. Fascinating.

    Packed with verisimitude, this play delves into the niche world of Olympic level fencing, and does so with style and verve. In Tariq and Pierre, Scott has created rivals who compete in realms far beyond the piste, and raise profound questions of identity and presentation in a well-constructed ten minute play. Fascinating.

    ”
  • Arthur M Jolly: People-Eating Dream Girl by Caitlin M.S. Buxbaum
    “

    I was fortunate enough to see this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and it's an audience-pleasing delightfully dark comedy, with witty lines, richly creacted characters, and a plot that weaves dysfunctional family shenanigans into a romantic comedy only lighly marred by the fact that one of the main characters likes to eat people. Other than that, she's a catch!

    I was fortunate enough to see this at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and it's an audience-pleasing delightfully dark comedy, with witty lines, richly creacted characters, and a plot that weaves dysfunctional family shenanigans into a romantic comedy only lighly marred by the fact that one of the main characters likes to eat people. Other than that, she's a catch!

    ”
  • Arthur M Jolly: Susan's Monologue from MAKE MULCH FROM IT, 2:30 min monologue by Arianna Rose
    “

    A powerful monologue dealing with sexual assault within a relationship, and the complex emotional turmoil and lingering trauma. Hard-hitting, confrontational, with nuance and depth, this would be a formidable audition piece for a serious, dramatic role.

    A powerful monologue dealing with sexual assault within a relationship, and the complex emotional turmoil and lingering trauma. Hard-hitting, confrontational, with nuance and depth, this would be a formidable audition piece for a serious, dramatic role.

    ”
  • Arthur M Jolly: Date Play by Ashley Siflinger
    “

    A stunning play. Siflinger has crafted something truly original, a play that starts out as a well-written, comedic first-date play, with crisp, witty dialogue that would be a treat for any actor to sink their teeth into...but then it moves far beyond what we expect. By the end, we have been taken on a world-bending journey, a true theatrical tour-de-force that stuns the imagination...while that dialogue stays witty and delicious throughout!

    A stunning play. Siflinger has crafted something truly original, a play that starts out as a well-written, comedic first-date play, with crisp, witty dialogue that would be a treat for any actor to sink their teeth into...but then it moves far beyond what we expect. By the end, we have been taken on a world-bending journey, a true theatrical tour-de-force that stuns the imagination...while that dialogue stays witty and delicious throughout!

    ”
  • Arthur M Jolly: The Safe Space by Jason Peck
    “

    Powerful, provocative, clever, and maddening in the best way. Peck's razor-sharp dive into how an institution is rent by opposing philosophies of education will have your audience debating long into the night after the show. Shades of Stoppard in its ability to raise profound questions through pointed dialogue. An impressive play.

    Powerful, provocative, clever, and maddening in the best way. Peck's razor-sharp dive into how an institution is rent by opposing philosophies of education will have your audience debating long into the night after the show. Shades of Stoppard in its ability to raise profound questions through pointed dialogue. An impressive play.

    ”