Recommended by Andrew Martineau

  • The Bench
    29 May. 2023
    Emotion hurt and wisdom don’t always cross paths, but Brenton Kniess is able to eloquently convey wisdom and maturity in this heartfelt monologue about a breakup. The bench represents positivity in the face of pain. Wonderful!
  • Neighbor! Neighbor!
    28 May. 2023
    Squabbling neighbors and accusations about peeping through windows with a high-powered telescope make for a fun plot with unexpected twists and turns. Add in a jewelry store robbery and you have quite a funny play with colorful characters and a satisfying resolution. A very good play for a ten-minute play festival!
  • Sweet Memories
    27 May. 2023
    It’s those small acts of kindness that make all the difference. Millie will probably never get any recognition for pointing out the caramel candies that have a similar taste to Bit ‘o Honey, but she did a good deed. This short play is perfect for actors to discover their intentions and find authentic moments. Its power lies in its simplicity. Well done!
  • DEEP POCKETS
    25 May. 2023
    I really, really love this! Vivian Lermond makes us realize that a martini lunch can easily turn into a dumpster dive with a bad economy. But these two still have each other, and there’s nothing like a lottery ticket (no matter how small) to boost morale in a hopeless situation. Wonderfully inspiring!
  • HUMAN REMAINS
    25 May. 2023
    This is hysterical! With its Monty Pythonesque absurdity and off-beat, dark humor, I found myself rooting for Charlie as he cleverly attempts to outmaneuver his greedy neighbors even before keeling over in their yard. I would love to see this in action!
  • The Promise
    23 May. 2023
    “The Promise” is raw and unsettling. It’s also very well-written and thought-provoking. As someone who has worked with those who have intellectual disabilities, I am aware that there are vulnerable people who have been taken advantage of, and it is truly heartbreaking. Marilyn Ollet’s play opens the door for honest discourse on this topic. It’s quite a powerful piece and deserves to be seen and discussed.
  • The Song
    21 May. 2023
    “The Song” is a unique look at how music can move us deeply in our souls, and simultaneously, distract us from the pain of war. As a character with perfect pitch explains when ordered to use their musical skills to pay close attention to sounds: “There’s no music in the sound of tank shells exploding.” This line is amazing. It speaks to the sad reality that even music can’t mask the horrors of war. Yet there is hope that peace is possible in Inverne’s moving play. I would to love to see this. Highly recommended!
  • UNHEARD
    20 May. 2023
    Oh, I really felt something reading this, having gone through a similar experience not so long ago (without the brilliant theatricality, of course). I would love to see this onstage, and I can only imagine how incredibly moving it would come off the page for the actors and the audience alike. I love Glenn Alterman’s gift for writing moving, gut-wrenching dramas.
  • Winter on the Cusp of Sagittarius
    17 May. 2023
    At such a perilous time of political polarization post #Metoo, Scott Sickles has crafted a fascinating look at a birth after an assault. He skillfully plays with the idea of cusps and the liminal moments in which change is possible in seemingly impossible circumstances. Actors can learn so much about playing their characters truly in the moment by working on this incredibly thought-provoking short play. Illuminating and provocative piece.
  • The United Plays of America - Virginia - 1,000 Oysters
    13 May. 2023
    As a Virginian who relishes raw oysters, I couldn’t wait to see if Virginia’s quest for a pearl would have a satisfying ending. What I can tell you is that I am now tempted to read more of these “state” shorts by Claudia Haas, but I feel as though I have already found my pearl with this one! Deliciously composed.

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