Recommended by Andrew Martineau

Hauntingly beautiful play that resonates on many levels. Joe Swenson writes with deep emotion about different generations of a family, told through letters and memories in this ghost story revealing heartbreak and profound sadness. The grandmother’s gift is generous and shows the bravery and love she has for her family. I would love to see this onstage.

One of the keywords Shriwardhankar lists for this monologue is “museums” and so I imagined someone looking for a “museum” play and reading this! Oh, man, this is so funny and so honest. This is funny because it’s blunt but extremely sincere, as well as memorable. Who doesn’t want a memorable, hilarious monologue for an audition? So good!

I really wish the CPR trainings I have participated in had been as interesting and provocative as DOLLS AND GUYS. I might have learned more. Speaking of learning, Moran provides a wonderful twist in which a seemingly physical comedy about resuscitation dummies turns into a rather sophisticated and clever play about our psycho-emotional needs and just what can happen when those needs are not met. Highly engaging and hysterical!

Every day parents and families deal with the loss of a child to addiction, and sadly, they often struggle with how to talk about it with the outside world. Ellen Davis Sullivan's play talks about it as a way for the characters, and mostly importantly, the audience, to begin to discuss the grief, confusion, and emptiness without blame or shame. Writing a eulogy is painful, but this dramatization is writing that can heal wounds through communication. Beautifully rendered requiem.

Well, we can all certainly relate to Lex and Maddie. The rapid short phrasing and unfinished thoughts is indicative of two friends who haven’t had a great deal of contact, and yet their ability to communicate effectively in this way shows they have been living the same nightmare, despite their hopeful, upbeat attitudes. This would be an excellent play for actors willing to relish the subtext. It would require great listening skills and expert timing. A strong play for our turbulent times.

Amanda makes a compelling argument about why words hurt, especially when she hasn’t done anything to explain why they are being cruelly thrown at her, not that her actions should warrant them either. What I found so unique about this monologue is that Amanda imagines what it would be like to have a reason for the verbal abuse, and the fact that she cannot get an answer why her friend abandoned her is what is so confusing and hurtful. This is powerfully relevant and action driven. Important words about the importance of watching what you say.

This is a fast-paced, very brief comedy that lasts less than fifteen minutes and makes us reflect on the value of time at work, how we are arbitrarily tied to the clock, and the little irritations that result when our free time is interrupted. It made me wonder why we don't have some kind of time turner marking fifteen minutes, since that it is such a standard time bearer for retail stores. Actors would have so much fun with this. A wonderful addition to a short play festival.

Finally, a Fairy Godmother who tells it like it is! I have seen a variety of versions of Cinderella from different cultures and in many different formats (haven’t we all?) but this play gives Cinderella an actual chance to grow a spine and enjoy life on her own terms. I won’t say if she takes her benefactor’s lesson to heart, but Molly Wagner makes us all realize that a shoe doesn’t always have to fit forever to be able to follow our bliss. Wonderfully entertaining!

This play is perfectly suited for a play written for Zoom because it shows how communication is so different and mystifying for those who have been uninitiated for some time. The interloper may or may not be who the brothers think it is, and it really doesn’t matter who it is in terms of the conflict. ironically, the brothers are able to be more open with each other about how to share the responsibility of caring for their aging father as a result of the ominous surprise guest on their private call. Surprising and entertaining, with authentic Kentucky dialogue.

JOEY is a play that deals with the topic of child abuse in a very sensitive way. There is a note in the character descriptions that allows for an older actor to play Joey, which I think is a good idea. A theatrical piece can reveal violent action in suggestive ways, and the audience could get a sense of its emotional weight. I was so moved by the imaginary friend and the genuinely caring, supportive role they provide, as well as serve as a manifestation of Joey’s mind that helps to question why this is happening. Heartrending and powerful.