Recommended by Debbie Lamedman

I love everything about this play and not just because it made me laugh out loud, which it did! I found it so relatable to my own circumstances with my sister, and a mother who would stop at nothing to bring us together. Even death wouldn't stop her. Such a witty and playful comedy. I would love to see this in all the short play festivals! It's wonderful!

Memory is a tricky thing. And memory plays are even trickier. Yet, Karuc has created an intense, illuminating piece that all at once makes the audience feel both uncomfortable and nostalgic. The tension continues to build each time Ana questions her memory and what really happened. This all builds to an ambiguous conclusion as Ana never really gets her questions answered, and her mind will continue to reconstruct this moment in time over and over again. The dialogue, circumstances, and characters are marvelously realized. This is an extremely powerful and dynamic short play. Brava!

What a fun romp of a play, this is! With a cast of colorful characters and two woebegone travelers, the audience is in for a real treat visiting this English pub with an odd set of rules for patrons. Feeny-Williams clearly is having a good time telling this tale, and her humor and banter make for a delightful short play. Would love to see this on stage! Terrific piece!

This is a fascinating character study and a terrific monologue for actors wanting to try something unique. McBurnette-Andronicos uses language that draws you immediately into the world of this Appalachian Woman. I want to know more about her. I want to hear more of her stories. I think she should have her own full-length play! Terrific work!

This is a finely-tuned two-hander that went in a direction I didn't quite expect. O'Neill-Butler takes the scenario of a homeless woman and a businesswoman and gives the premise an unexpected twist. The lesson being that we can learn lessons from ALL people, no matter what their station in life. A great piece for festivals and two excellent roles for a younger and older female actor. Well done!

This is a powerfully written play where Miller adeptly shines a light on how the past has affected our current present. The give and take between Jacob and Gloria is so astute, filled with both tension and warmth. We are in the room with these people and learn as much about them as we learn about ourselves. Miller’s writing is a gift to any actor portraying these multi-dimensional roles. Beautifully done!

What a beautiful play about the strong connection between a father and his daughter. In only 5 minutes, O'Grady covers 20 years of this relationship. Life happens, children grow and become adults, parents age and ultimately leave as the grown child continues to make their way in the world without them. It's the circle of life, told so efficiently and poignantly. Wonderful piece of writing!

This play starts out seemingly light and humorous; but then becomes a poignant and meaningful moment between a mother and son. Dakutis states in the play, bisexuality gets a bad rap and Jimmy is bound and determined to explain to Rita what it means to him to be bisexual. Rita also reaches out to Jimmy by revealing the history of her relationship with Jimmy’s father. The play retains its sweetness all the way through, yet the real gem here is we, the audience come away with a broader sense of the bisexual experience. And that’s a wonderful thing!

X-ACT reminds me of some of the best episodes of the television show Black Mirror, with a premise that could easily take place in the not-to-distant future. The piece is chilling, thinking how close to reality this scenario could be. And though one of the characters is a robot, Mabey gives X depth, dimension, and clarity. A well-written piece sure to give the audience pause, and perhaps reflect on the possibility of our species extinction. Very well done!

What a great piece of writing here! Richter’s short play captures all the best aspects of a film noir crime drama. The set-up, build, and resolution happen quickly but there is no misstep in this fast-paced thriller, including a great twist that will leave you slack-jawed! Well done!