Recommended by Dave Osmundsen

SUCH a beautiful play that is emotionally resonant and theatrical. The final moments are stunning.

I love how this play bucks the idea that standardized testing can place any worth on a person. Mariah is an incredibly smart young person whose intelligence isn't served by the system that purports to help her. I also love how Teri gradually breaks down her walls to see Mariah for the person she really is, and what she ultimately wants to accomplish. Sympathetic and funny, "The Future" humanizes those behind the standardized testing that has unfortunately become a dominant part of our education system. Two great roles for actresses to boot!

The phrase that comes to mind after reading this outrageous, frustrated, all-too-relatable and hilarious monologue: "But actually though!"

A darkly funny, wildly entertaining, and delightfully menacing tale of love in the time of plague. Carpenter's characters are often manipulative and selfish, but they are consistently likable and sympathetic. I especially found Bit's yearning to learn more about the world beyond her poignant. Although frighteningly relevant to the current pandemic, this is a play that asks deeper questions about how our behavioral and moral codes alter when the world is on the verge of destruction, and how they intersect with gender and class. Well worth a read!

I love how this play starts with the broad "types"-- the fanatically religious mother, the absent-minded father, the droll and eye-rolling daughter, the quirky boy next door. But Lauder doesn't settle for types. She subverts the audience's expectations throughout the play by unveiling the depths of her characters. The character of Sylvia, the Evangelical mother, particularly stood out to me. Rather than a head shrieking fire-and-brimstone, Laufer poignantly depicts her as a woman desperate to believe in something larger than herself, and wants others to believe. A warm, funny, and unexpectedly thought-provoking play!

Adam Seidel’s intense portrayal of a man losing his grip on reality is riveting, devastating, and heartbreaking. Plenty of great dark humor, too, like the best of Seidel’s work. The second act in particular provides plenty of exciting theatrical opportunities. I can’t wait to see this piece performed, on Zoom or in person!

This is a relentlessly dark piece, and certainly not for the faint of heart. But DC Cathro has cleverly constructed this play almost like a mystery. You can't help but slowly lean into it as the story progresses. There are also a few neat, expected twists along the way. It also discusses the rape of a gay man, which is a topic we need to discuss more. Very powerful piece!

It's rare to see absurdism done well, but Bultrowicz manages to pull it off hilariously here. A Kafka-ian "Waiting for Godot," this ten-minute play follows Charlie and Ray, two people who are mysteriously turned into cockroaches. They grapple for power in a senseless situation. They try to apply real-life rules to an absurd situation. They realize that the normal rules don't apply anymore and resign themselves to their uncertain fate. Whip-smart, clever and funny, "Captain Cockroach" is perfect for 10-minute play festivals, particularly those that emphasize comedy.

I both enjoyed and related deeply (sometimes TOO deeply) to this touching coming-of-age story. In just twenty pages, this play covers adolescent awkwardness, sexual awakening, first crush, coming out, and growing up. And it's all executed in such a breezy, light manner that you can't help but go along for the ride. The final moments were also incredibly touching. I love this play!

I listened to this fascinating and thought-provoking play on the Parsnip Ship. I’m extremely intrigued by the world that Greg Lam has so carefully and cleverly constructed here. I also love the ethical questions and quandaries that Lam proposes with this play: Can science go too far in its attempts to improve humanity? Or are we humans responsible by turning to science to erase our flaws? Check this one out!