Beth Kander Knihy

How did we get here?That's the question that drives each friend, each foe, and every strand of the stories woven together in Born in Syn .From an eerily intelligent infant, to individuals wrongly accused or imprisoned, to insiders who know things they wish they didn't and outsiders determined to bulldoze their way into the action, dozens of small decisions and huge risks pile on top of one another, contributing to the creation of a future that will change everything.War. Ambition. Family. Betrayal. As every character hurtles us ever-faster forward, one truth becomes Even the end of the world was once the beginning of someone's story.

Full-Length Play | One apartment. Two different eras. Each creating unlikely friendships. In 2015, reluctant coworkers Hal and Cassie are investigating a sad hoarder mess, sifting through the belongings of an elderly and mysterious "Jane Doe." In 1955, two strangers from different worlds, Esther and Lynley, spark an uneasy friendship, exploring their blossoming connection against all odds. Developed through the Ashland New Play Festival and the Headwaters New Play Festival, Hazardous Materials digs deep into truths long buried under decades of emotional detritus. How much do we bury in a place, and within ourselves? (2F, 1M, 1F or NB)

A heartfelt, humorous, and heartbreaking exploration of American gun culture. "A sincere, non-condescending and compassionate piece of writing." -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune Five years after a school shooting, Alley, the struggling, smart-mouthed teenage sister of the shooter, wrestles with forgiveness, moving forward, and the lingering questions left in the wake of her brother's crime. Another decade later, as an adult, finding satisfying answers proves no easier. Will she ever find an opportunity for hope and healing, or will the ghosts of her past forever haunt her?

SEVEN PLAYS ADAPTED BY THE AUTHORS FOR SCHOOL COMPETITION AND ADJUDICATION APPLICATION PENDING by Greg Edwards & Andy Sandberg (Multi/Flexible). Kindergarten admissions go hysterically awry in this uproarious Off-Broadway hit THE BOTTLE TREE by Beth Kander (5F, 3M, Flexible). A heartfelt and heartbreaking exploration of American gun culture. A BREATH OF DUSTY AIR by Perry Steele Patton (3F, 1M). Southern charm is cast aside when rivals compete in a local talent contest. THE GRIMM WORLD by Adam Neubauer & Samantha Levenshus (6F, 6M, Ensemble). A demented mash-up of the wonderful world of the Brothers Grimm THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU by Mark Scharf (7-11F, 4-6M, Flexible). The horrific creations of Dr. Moreau come to life in H.G. Wells' haunting classic. THE JUNGLE BOOK by Briandaniel Oglesby (5F, 6M, Ensemble, Flexible). Mowgli's search for home takes the spotlight in this modern look at a classic tale. UMW: UNIVERSITY OF MOSTLY WHITES by Rob Urbinati (7F, 5M). Diversity becomes a hot-button topic when an anti-Asian YouTube rant goes viral.

The story follows a woman who, in a bid to escape her chaotic reality, conjures a golem to craft a rom-com narrative around her life. Blending dark humor with unexpected sweetness, the novel explores themes of self-deception and the longing for a fairy-tale existence amid personal turmoil. As her creation navigates the complexities of human emotions, both the golem and its creator confront the absurdity of their situations, leading to poignant revelations about love and identity.

In this fast-paced political comedy, a beloved mayor faces a scandal when an embarrassing video threatens his long-standing position. The plot thickens as his wife, Sophia, unexpectedly decides to run against him, igniting a fierce competition that tests their marriage. As the couple navigates the challenges of political rivalry, an unexpected third candidate complicates the race further. The story explores themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of family dynamics in the realm of politics.