Recommended by Julianne Jigour

Beautiful, funny, and full of heart, Self-Love is a fresh and unpredictable exploration of young people grappling with their identity, sexuality, and relationships during that vulnerable period when our longing for acceptance can obfuscate our deeper desires. Each character is fully fleshed and—in some cases, unexpectedly—complex, and there is such intimacy and tenderness in the moments where they must reckon with their internalized social norms. An enjoyable ride for any audience, but a particularly special gift for those on the messy brink of adulthood.

Through the unique lens of a captivating painting, Provenance explores the generational trauma wrought by Nazi Germany. Actors play multiple roles, giving us varied, intimate two-person scenes that take us across time and space to examine how a work of art can hold so much of a family's pain and hope. Maisel beautifully renders how the journey of the painting reflects the journey not only of the family but of any marginalized group that has suffered oppression. Brimming with the poetic and sensual, the play ultimately delivers us to a place of reunion and resilience.

A beautiful play that explores the complexity of friendship, the ache of growing apart from those we love, and the beauty of reconnection, as imperfect as it may be, while at the same time delving into the complex emotions felt by women as they exercise their reproductive rights and evaluate their relationship to the idea of motherhood. Great dialogue and exciting design opportunities!

When Joe and Pratt meet the pregnant young woman whose baby they wish to adopt, she has news for them that upends their expectations. And when Joe's sister suddenly arrives on the scene, familial tensions flare and secrets are forced out, putting into question not only the possibility of Joe and Pratt's new family but also the survival of their relationship. A beautiful play about the heartbreak and hope of building a family, about surviving familial trauma, and about the love that makes all of the pain and complexity of intimate relationships worthwhile.

A beautiful play about a young woman who's fierce and passionate but who's challenged by the systemic racism and sexism of 1970s America. Haunted by the ghost of her father who was murdered for his Civil Rights activism and by her own stint behind bars, Neon pursues a singing career in a world where undeniable talent and devotion aren't enough to break through societal barriers. Her journey asks us to examine the deep social inequities that continue today and inspires us with her steadfast belief that she has a song to sing, and she's going to sing it.

Perfect for the stage, this tender piece follows two partners who are struggling to rebuild physical intimacy after one has undergone trauma. There's a lot for the actors to dig into and work with here.

What a stunning play. So inherently theatrical and thought-provoking. Funny and poignant. A memorable exploration of how we turn people into symbols for our own use, how we struggle to process trauma and tragedy, how we grapple with our identity and how we identify others. Just love this!

This powerful play explores what it is to be a survivor of sexual trauma in a world that doesn't want to listen and how class and privilege protect perpetrators of violence. There's a lot to dig into here for the actor.

Love this play! Beautifully written. A smart and tender look at the ugly times we find ourselves in and the power of friendship to carry us through. Great roles for women.

A fun and magical holiday play! The writer has a great ear for dialogue.