Recommended by Andrew Martineau

The eloquence of this play is lovely. Patten describes the breakdown of the physical being and the loss of memory through the metaphor of a broken scale and it is deeply moving. I love how the poetry of the Reaper is highlighted by simple, caring actions by the daughter. We know how much this mother means to her and see how they are both learning to accept the inevitable loss. Wonderful play.

There is a profound sense of emptiness and isolation that Martin cannot seem to overcome without violence, and yet Aubrey takes the time at the end of a long day to make him feel seen. It would be easy to fall into a cliched trap of talking about mental health and not creating genuine conflict and three dimensional characters, but Peter Anthony Fields keeps revealing the unexpected with every beat in this short drama that deals with the issue of homelessness in a natural, nuanced way. It is quite a moving piece.

This play is so intense and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I got to thinking about the title - Sift - and how it serves as a powerful metaphor for separation and segregation. Ruth is as brave as she is talented in the kitchen, a setting that can symbolize both high esteem and subjugation. I love this little gem of a play!

The description of the whisky sour in this remarkable monologue about combating an addiction in one of the hardest places to fight off the urge for a drink—a casino—reveals how extremely difficult it is for an alcoholic. Just the detail of getting the smell on your fingers if someone bumps into you is incredible storytelling, and Jones has created a character to root for and champion. I would love to see this performed.

There is so much love in this play, and sadly, the physical love has ended for James, who is left with only the memories. A reckless driver and a heartless family end the love that should live on, and now closure will need to happen without even a memorial service. Donald Baker has crafted a play of sharply written contrasts, of close-mindedness vs. acceptance, of unconditional love vs. shallow rule-following. Beautiful play, Don.

I love the sense of hope and surrender in this “break up” play in which the couple has clearly exhausted every means of reconciliation except one. The mystical possibilities within the plot make Nathan Christopher’s short play suspenseful, and the dialogue flows naturally, especially from Claire, who is tired of giving and never receiving anything back for her efforts. The ending puts a wonderful cap on this very satisfying two hander.

This highly clever, funny and insightful short play about societal expectations about adult behavior and making meaningful connections is outstanding. Rachel Feeny-Williams is an expert at creating a concise, thought-provoking comedy in a mere ten minutes. I reflected on my own perceptions of maturity and conforming to cultural standards of adulthood as I read this play and considered if the boxes I check in my own head align with my own desires and needs. Fantastic!

Joey at age 7 has a remarkable ability to find his own survival tactics. One method of survival is through an imagery friend who helps him, not as a licensed therapist could, with expert insight into trauma, but with empathy and the ability to listen and react with kindness. Another tactic is through the regimens Joey finds to document the abuse, which gives us a sense of hope that he will find a way to cope, moment by moment. The final line is heartbreaking, and Swenson’s skill at creating a raw, deeply honest account of this horror is truly amazing.

This absurd short play is very funny, and it convincingly captures the frustration that accompanies writer’s block. I know the concept is both real and hard to describe, so Levine’s use of unlikely imaginary animal friends is bizarre madcap fun. I loved using my own sometimes overblown imagination to envision a horse trying to sit on a couch or be a puppeteer. Now I have to see it live!

This play examines what words inscribed on headstones mean and whether they have any value at all. It also got me to reflect on how death shows us how we are alike, and how leaving a legacy that lives on in loved ones’ minds is a worthwhile endeavor. I loved the spareness of language and the deep well of emotion in this brief play. Excellent work.