Recommended by Rachael Carnes

How many delicious carefree hours did I fritter away in my youth - keeping up with Pine Valley and its denizens? But my careful study of that nebulous soap opera community, where time's parceled out with an eyedropper, and Big Whammies about affairs and illegitimacy and glass eyes are left for Friday cliffhangers, prepped me to be SO HERE for this monologue. The world needs this kooky slice of made-up life. Weaver's writing is always this incredible blend of confidence, humor and accessible charm.

I'm gutted after reading this play. Beautiful and poetic, with a razor-sharp edge, Costa's dialogue leaps through time, finding relevancy and traction in our contemporary world. An exquisite examination of women and the history of mental health treatment, bringing a century's old conversation into our hearts and minds.

This is hilarious! Full disclosure: I watch a ton of cooking shows, and Hayet nails it: The goofy, stressful, energy, the potential for failure, the rise and fall. It's all packed into one tight page. What fun this would be to direct and perform!

This monologue launches fast and only gains momentum, tumbled words thrashing at an extraordinary rate and intensity. An incredible opportunity for an actor and director to plumb the depths of emotion, a wonderful piece, with range and power.

EEEEEEEE I love this. It has everything, a terrific ensemble for teen/college-age actors. They will have a blast building its moments. A playground for creative teams, written so well. Arthur makes it look easy! Highly recommend.

With wry humor and engaging emotional build, this play resonates with the increasing isolation that accompanies our contemporary lives. Never maudlin or overwrought, this piece got big laughs at the Mid-America Theatre Conference, and created thought-provoking conversation.

This gorgeous play has been a highlight of the Mid-American Theatre Conference. Gonzalez explores layers of time, through these two deeply-felt characters, whose time is no longer theirs to determine. In a taut ten minutes, Gonzalez plumbs our history, unpacking mass incarceration, economics, systems of oppression, and grounding that conversation with humor, warmth and the ache of missing the moments, minutes, hours and lifetimes. A beautiful, masterful work.

Asher's humane worlds are populated by the most charming, relatable people, and some are tiny - six, or maybe seven years old! - yet beaming such light and love, I wish the real world could be tempered by the inclusivity that this play develops. There's a poignancy to this kid's good nature, and imagining sharing the monologue among a few kids or more, as Asher suggests, it would be so lovely to see and hear.

A brilliantly written piece of satire, driving us right to the putrid heart of racism. Daly caches the day-to-day oppressor in the guise of a grandma, subverting the caring, wise archetype and replacing it with the systems that wield great power and influence in many lives. A sharp, challenging and meaty role for a mature woman.

A breathtaking moment, imbued with meaning and relevance. Sickles find layers of emotional inventory between these characters, in a piece that is at once theatrical and approachable. This play will invite the conversation we need to have, and I would love to see it staged.