Recommended by Olivia Haller

  • Olivia Haller: Ashes of the Revolution by John Patrick Bray
    “

    This play is a truthful depiction of the experience of a sibling of a person with autism. I was immediately drawn in by these characters, who possess heart and emotional depth. I saw a reading at the 2019 Midwest Dramatists Conference and am excited to see where it goes next.

    This play is a truthful depiction of the experience of a sibling of a person with autism. I was immediately drawn in by these characters, who possess heart and emotional depth. I saw a reading at the 2019 Midwest Dramatists Conference and am excited to see where it goes next.

    ”
  • Olivia Haller: MLM is for Murder (Or, Your Side Hustle is Killing Us) by John Bavoso
    “

    As always, John's writing is funny and clever while delivering smart and surprising revelations throughout. I felt both tickled and suckerpunched by the actions of his characters, who are endearing from the get go. I appreciated the way this play calls out the voyeuristic nature of true crime shows, and I learned a lot about pyramid schemes along the way. I saw the reading at NextStop and can't wait to see where this play goes next!

    As always, John's writing is funny and clever while delivering smart and surprising revelations throughout. I felt both tickled and suckerpunched by the actions of his characters, who are endearing from the get go. I appreciated the way this play calls out the voyeuristic nature of true crime shows, and I learned a lot about pyramid schemes along the way. I saw the reading at NextStop and can't wait to see where this play goes next!

    ”
  • Olivia Haller: Wendy and the Neckbeards by Kari Bentley-Quinn
    “

    I was immediately drawn into this play and it has stuck with me ever since I finished reading it. It addresses toxic masculinity in a way that is accessible and often hilarious yet solidly grounded in emotional truth. What this play has to say is urgent, and I would not only jump in line for a ticket to see it, but tell everyone I know to see it too.

    I was immediately drawn into this play and it has stuck with me ever since I finished reading it. It addresses toxic masculinity in a way that is accessible and often hilarious yet solidly grounded in emotional truth. What this play has to say is urgent, and I would not only jump in line for a ticket to see it, but tell everyone I know to see it too.

    ”
  • Olivia Haller: The Stowaway by Timothy Thompson
    “

    This play hooked me in immediately using classic thriller devices (the catastrophic blizzard, the mysterious stranger...) and compelled me to read to the end. The juxtaposition of real and supernatural danger is intriguing, and the potential for both is palpable throughout the play. I appreciated how this script engages with toxic masculinity and reveals its insidious and disastrous effects. The plot kept me on my toes in a slow yet satisfying build-up that earns its shocking ending. As someone who appreciates a good scary story, I hope to see more horror plays like this one.

    This play hooked me in immediately using classic thriller devices (the catastrophic blizzard, the mysterious stranger...) and compelled me to read to the end. The juxtaposition of real and supernatural danger is intriguing, and the potential for both is palpable throughout the play. I appreciated how this script engages with toxic masculinity and reveals its insidious and disastrous effects. The plot kept me on my toes in a slow yet satisfying build-up that earns its shocking ending. As someone who appreciates a good scary story, I hope to see more horror plays like this one.

    ”