Recommended by Debbie Lamedman

Sickles takes a simple, everyday item, and turns it into the focus point of this compelling thriller. The entire first part of the play has the feel of film noir with no dialogue spoken for the first few minutes. We are focused on Melissa, the main character and all her action takes place in relative silence. That aspect will draw you in to a situation you hope will either be resolved or you’ll find the humor in it by the end of the play. But no such luck! A great piece for the actor playing Melissa! Well done!

This is the first piece of work I’m reading by Daniel Prillaman and what a delightful introduction! This play is a madcap romp that had me laughing out loud. What fun it would be to see it performed live with some physically agile actors! Terrific play for young and old alike!

"The Journal" encompasses all the elements of the dark side of high school. The teens in this play all have had to deal with betrayals of friendship, broken families, and ever-present bullying and depression that plague this age group. When a journal is found at the senior prom, we get insight into which teens have had the most trying time of anyone else. Martineau cleverly weaves backstory by incorporating short vignettes played by the high schoolers to show some of the trauma two of the teens have faced. "The Journal" is a great piece for high school actors.

Wow! This play gob-smacked me! First, because the story is all too real and familiar--the aging parent who is losing her mind, and the dutiful child attempting to have the patience to deal with it. But then, Lermond throws in a twist of extraordinary proportions, I never saw it coming! And finally, reading the last sentence of this skillfully written thriller, I was gob-smacked. I imagine this play would be even more chilling when seen live. Hopefully, it will appear on many stages in the near future. It's a definite must-see!

CHEM CLASS reminds us that teens are under so much pressure to conform. Their worries and stress should never be dismissed, and O'Grady shows us first-hand two young people who have quite a bit on their plate. The friendship between Alex and Sofia is lovely -- the kind of friendship where you can tell the other person anything. The dialogue between these two characters is genuine and their relationship is authentic. This is a wonderful piece for two young actors and would be a great addition to high-school short play festivals! Wonderful work!

This is a wonderful and dynamic piece for two young actors. McClain draws you into the story thinking it's going to be about some trite, teenaged gossip. But as the play takes a twist, the truth revealed is something much more intense. This play deals with power struggles, morality, and a betrayal of friendship. Strong writing with authentic characters and dialogue. Great work!

This piece is heart-breaking as it illustrates the strong love between a mother and son who can no longer live in the same world. In VISITATION, Martineau shows the problematic, dysfunctional relationship between these two individuals, but never backing away from the fact they have such a strong love for one another. A very powerful play, and two strong roles for actors.

This is a sharp, smartly written play that clearly illustrates class dynamics, privilege, and the state of the educational system today. The dialogue is fast-paced and authentic, and the characters are interesting and 3-dimensional. For the reader, the tedium between the four characters adds to the tension that Ross Tedford Kendall builds in the piece. I would imagine the same would be true for viewers watching a performance. Everything about this play rings true, and though the characters could have easily fallen into stereotypical caricatures, Kendall never allows that to happen. An excellent play for high school and college actors!

Ooooh, what a wicked and delicious morsel of a play this is! Lunsford draws you in immediately, with not only quippy dialogue but also descriptive stage directions that paint such a vivid picture. This piece will be such fun for two strong actresses to play. This would also make a great selection for 10-minute play festivals. Well done!

Considering everything that is happening in our society right now with the #MeToo movement, and hyperawareness of gender roles and gender politics, WHORTICULTURE is an extremely important play! Goldman-Sherman never backs away from showing the ugly truth of sexual abuse and misogyny in a racist world. WHORTICULTURE is a social issue play at its most powerful, and I truly hope this piece can be part of our society's edification and healing. Gender study departments should consider making this part of their curriculum!