Recommended by Elizabeth A. M. Keel

This clever, shadowy ten minute blends the mundane world of finals and college parties with the stark dangers of magic. It's over in a heartbeat, but the implications are that the effects will be felt for years to come.

A wonderful, original fairy tale. Great for school groups and creative costumes! I particularly enjoyed the goblins. It was easy to imagine a ton of companion projects and lesson plans.

A solid play about grief, motherhood, and the perils of lying to yourself. The strong female characters are so distinct and lovable despite their foibles of rage, oniomania, and secrecy. (The lovely Queen Anne house feels like a fourth female in the mix!) I also enjoyed the vampire: his plot twist was the most satisfying of all. Thanks for sharing this one!

What a clever thriller! Great female roles, a smart twist, and a daring, theatrical take on cyber warfare. This was a memorable ride.

It is remarkable how this play occupies the realm of the desert; the feelings of oppressive heat, vastness, and futility are omnipresent. Mr. Amador does a fantastic job of accelerating the spookiness in this two-hander. This isn’t one we should look away from.

I was deeply reminded of Church (by Young Jean Lee) due to the themes and the flexible nature of the casting. Arbor Falls feels so impressively sparse and rich at the same time. There are multiple powerful monologues for the preacher and the traveler that are prayer as much as theatre. The loss of a congregation, the yearning for nature, and the appeal of wandering make this post-Romantic world so universal. The honesty in the text hurt my heart like a purifying fire.

I was lucky enough to see this play in Houston where it received a reading through Wordsmyth Theatre. You Are What You is such an elegant exploration of food as a love language, and sisterhood as an ever-evolving puzzle. You will enjoy this script's humor, courage, and intelligence - and well-balanced female cast. Pardon the pot roast pun, but well done!

Trigger dares to tread in the valley of rage. I really enjoyed the explorations of race and privilege juxtaposed with ancient gods, mythology, and current neuroscience. Theatrically, I was compelled by the symbolic symptoms that peppered the story, increasing my anxiety by physicalizing the deepening mood. The dialogue unfurls as sharp, nuanced, and unadorned. I like a play where gods walk at the same time as coffee is poured; there’s a strong vibe that absolutely anything could happen next. This one will leave you taking deep breaths.

Period Sisters humanizes cliché preconceptions about sorority girls. It explores all the nuance of their closed ecological system. While it delves into digestive health, the damaging psychology of beauty, drinking, rape, and the ridiculousness of the legal system, Ms. Viterbi is far from checking the issues off a list. Rather, she tackles each one with vigor and emotional intelligence. The progression of play genuinely feels like a full year passing by. Despite their many mistakes, there’s an air of such careful ministration surrounding the hearts of these young women. Take a peek: it boasts a female cast of 10.

Always a joy to read Ms. Rice's work! I really enjoyed the strong female roles, the palpable subtext, and the chemistry between Walker and Shirley. (I was often reminded of Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Hussey in The Philadelphia Story!) I also haven’t experienced enough stories that address the high stakes art curation world and its merchandising, and I appreciated the deep internal intrigue. Who doesn’t love a satisfying final reveal?