Recommended by Julie Zaffarano

A beautiful and haunting play. Lisa VilliaMil provides a glimpse into the souls of her characters -- what they long for. Heartbreaking and lovely with a dialogue as rhythmic as the sea, "Siren" takes us through a journey of loss, guilt, and forgiveness. Beautifully written,

In a “Child of Lions,” a reporter seeks to find the truth about a fantastical story. He discovers he reasons for searching the truth have more to do with what he himself has lost. Well done.

Robynne Graffam's play "A Rising Tide (Lifts All Boats)" depicts a world where climate change effects have become an immediate problem. As we witness each character deal with the problem in their own way, we see how we all deal with our issues -- ignoring, planning, and, perhaps, taking a leap of faith. Well done.

Anne Marie Cammarato’s “A Scar” is a devastating story of two families trapped in a cycle of pain from a private and public trauma. Cammarato weaves this “one step forward, two steps back” play through gripping and heartfelt dialogue, as each character reveals their pain, anger, and helplessness. Brilliant and, as stated above, devastating.

Jared Delaney’s engaging dialogue and wit shine through in “Pontiff Blues or, the Smoke Break.” A well constructed play with surprising twists. I laughed out loud. This play would be a great addition to a short play festival.

Once again, Asher Wyndham creates an authentic dialogue that grabs us by the middle of the first phase and holds us to the last word. Granny Lola is real — we have seen her in stores, restaurants, and in our own homes. Great monologue with teeth.

Asher Wyndham has created a thoughtful springboard for devised theater with a million possibilities. “Life|Death: Open Text (#1) can be used by those new to or experienced in devised theater. Well done.

“The Penis Play” is a hilarious and pointed ten-minute gem. Great addition to a political or any ten minute play festival. And wait for the punchline!

John Yearly’s “Eight Minutes, Twenty Seconds” is beautiful and heartbreaking and authentic and hopeful. It is well-crafted and impossible to pause in reading. It’s a play that haunts you for days after reading.

Megan Schumacher creates a chilling futuristic world where women are alive only when considered useful. But the powers to be cannot control the humanity of these women as they find their sisterhood and hope in this bleak existence. Well done.