Recommended by Julie Zaffarano

Elana Gartner’s “Tag on Toe” is an honest look at awkward, over sharing, conversations that happen everyday in the workplace. Conversations that shouldn’t happen in the workplace, but do. The conversations we have, we regret, and we can’t forget. conversations we think about and can change us. So real, I felt like I was in the room.

“Seneca and the Soul of Nero” brings historical persons to a vivid and human level. Ambition, lust, fear, and greed are set against the desire for honor and truth. The struggles are painfully real. The ending is as surprising as it is beautiful.

Andrew Martineau captures the discomfort of being the “new kid” at school and puts it on steroids. Fast paced and fun, we follow Mina as she tries to make sense of the craziness. Love the twists and the heart.

I love the twist as we get to know this wonderful, giving teacher. She represents thousand of teachers who care for and love their students, filling gaps in the educational system.

When Asher Wyndham writes a monologue, you are in the room with the character. “Mister Martin” is no exception, as we learn volumes about this teacher in just a few pages through as the details and specific imagery. Well done.

Yeah, we know this guy. “Password Sharing” is a fun and relevant monologue., where this character tries every trick they can think of.

A beautifully human play that depicts the need for connection and how depression keeps us from what we want most. As Em progresses in her physical training and emotional journey, sometimes successfully and sometimes experiencing set backs, we breathlessly hope for her. Stunning.

Such a clever piece! A complete arc in a conversation between two people who know each other so well that they say everything in a few words, This play reminds us that it’s the relationship that matters, not incidences.

A bittersweet play about shared loss and hope. Love the interaction between the grandmother and granddaughter.

We all experience times of self doubt. This lovely play where an art historian conjures Rembrandt and discusses his art and her self doubt recalls our times times of worry and gives us hope.