Recommended by Andrew Martineau

A seemingly naive question about a female puppet wearing makeup to feel like a “real” woman set this play into motion with pathos and intrigue. It is such a profound way to reflect on gender identity and feminism. CERN’s short drama also makes its audience think about women often being overlooked, not just in reality but in fiction writing, as well. Very moving and thought-provoking piece.

Ten-minute comedies are difficult to get right because the writer has to keep it a fully developed play and not just a sketch with well-placed jokes. Busser's comedy presents an original take on a very common school event--the science fair--and creates a very dark look at how parents can take competition a little too seriously. The principal's deadpan (sorry for the pun) stance on the learning objectives of the project is brilliantly conveyed in this comic wonder of a play. Laugh-out-loud and thought-provoking--not an easy balance to strike, but Busser accomplishes this feat with remarkable skill!

This provocative and gripping play, essentially about the KKK and its hold on a insulated, rural community in Indiana, slowly builds in intensity and vividly paints a congregation of followers with blind devotion to an organization of hate and, sadly, considerable power. Baker cleverly references Bible verses about sheep with characters wondering why there are so many of them. Daniel is a protagonist for our times, as well as for those one hundred years ago when the play is set. The title shows us how the Klan offered economic prosperity, and how the sheep gladly followed. Simply stunning!

MONSTER is an allegorical drama that packs a potential full-length narrative into ten brief minutes. The piece is so intense in its questioning of God and of those who preach forgiveness after a school shooting that it works well as a very short play. The horror of this scene and twist at the end leaves the audience’s heads spinning in what I would imagine to be shocked silence. This play would certainly generate much discussion about the moral ambiguities that Fields explores. Breathtakingly dramatic!

An American couple in Mexico with certain expectations about the food and cuisine makes for a very comical scenario. Lermond is a master at authentic dialogue and diction, and this play is certainly no exception. I was not prepared for the heartwarming ending, and I know this would be a big hit in any ten-minute play festival. Muy bueno!

The title of this play, PROTECTORS, works on many emotional levels and shows us how one family members' betrayal can affect a family through the harboring of painful secrets. I found the interplay between the young brothers quite intriguing, as well as the monologue in which the older brother seeks out God's help in protecting his younger sibling. The mother and wife seeks to protect both of her sons, ironically shielding them from what they already know at the expense of her own freedom and happiness. Beautifully rendered piece with strong acting roles of various ages and types.

This is a comedy that is well constructed but not predictable. Feeny-Williams has created a very funny short play with a Noel Coward vibe but also contemporary. In its clever, thought-provoking way, it makes us ponder how memories haunt us, even when an actual ghost is doing his best to take control of his widow’s thoughts and actions. Nicely done!

It’s funny how memories of our parents guiding us to find joy in simple pleasures are so powerfully strong and help to strengthen the bond between siblings later in life. Levon’s brief play had me reminiscing myself about times my brothers and I looked back on happy occasions. Wonderful!

Plays about therapy sessions tend to lack dramatic action and are often all talk, but a satirical take on one is surprisingly satisfying and hysterical. Martin has crafted dialogue that is almost absurd, but it is close enough to realism to make the characters believable. The self-absorbed psychiatrist is a comic gem, and her baffled patient with amnesia matches wits with her at every turn. This will surely be a crowd pleaser!

God is a great character to put in a play because of no matter how the supreme being is depicted, the playwright can make the characterization as theatrical as they want. I love the whole Ouija board bringing God expectedly with loads of questions. This is funny and original, and I loved going on the ride. What’s next for Melvin? Risk? Clue? I am there for it!