Recommended by Steven G. Martin

The situation in Cole Hunter Dzubak' s "A Lot of Time to Think" is pure nightmare fuel. It's very effective, too -- I could barely stand reading it. Hearing it as audio drama or watching it on stage would be almost unbearable. [24/12/06]

I love that Paige and Marvin form a bond -- however long it lasts -- in a stress-filled moment. I also love the language and imagery that unite them and Shelly -- that the loved ones in our lives are our universe.

Williams' "Things I Learned While Careening Toward the Center of the Universe" reminds us that civility and cordiality can rise to the top when folks are under duress, and that they, in turn, lift everyone up. [24/12/01]

Mark and Jake know they don't belong together. Audiences know they don't, thanks to Tom Miller's skill. And that's the tragedy of "Snap!" -- they stay together and we see their relationship unravel in the ugliest ways.

In a scant few minutes, Miller makes sure we love these gay men and despise these gay men and how they treat one another. But most importantly, Miller makes sure we understand these gay men and know what they've lost because of a bad decision. [24/11/19]

What I especially love about "Sidequest" is how Steven Hayet sets up the rules for the world of the play. The audience gets used to them, enjoys them and appreciates them, and then Hayet makes everything even more fun with an unexpected reveal that still plays into the world he's created. This is a very fun and ultimately sweet script. 24/11/18

Asher Wyndham breaks heartstrings in this story of a man who desperately needs something -- atonement? forgiveness? a win? -- but isn't aware that he won't get it. That he has to perform like he's in a freak show while being judged just makes the heartbreak worse. "Santa (In-Training)" will get audiences crying. [24/11/7]

Floyd-Priskorn plays with an audience's expectations and biases, then reveals the surprising truth as to the baddie in this short horror play. The script is teeming with backstory, mythology, and rich characterizations, but good grief that reveal had me shaking cobwebs from my brain. [24/11/02]

Richter reverses every cliché about vampires with his creation of Trevor, and it's genuinely touching. Add the self-assured ghost of Emily Dickinson, some comedy, some over-the-top horror, and "This Short Life" is a standout script that would be wonderful in any festival. [24/11/1]

It's fun whiplash when Floyd-Priskorn shifts from genuine, creepy, goosebumps-inducing horror (the concept of "spooning" in bed undergoes a drastic transformation here) to puerile, sophomoric, side-splitting humor. Nothing in "Sleep Talker" is halfway, and it's a great read because of it. [24/10/31]

This is how you write character, stakes, and conflict.

Jasmine and Karl, protagonists in Steve Harper's "For the Dark-Skinned Movie Going People of The World," are sensational. They have the same goal - success - but different means to achieve it. Both know they are right, both use multiple tactics to get the better of the other, and audiences respect their points of view. And Harper adds a dose of theatricality to spotlight their desire.

This play would be thrilling to watch live. [24/10/23]

Morey Norkin's "The Cat in the Box" is pleasantly funny, giving us a character that refutes our expectations of its behavior. But then temptation strikes ...

This short comic monologue will leave audiences smiling while also thinking, "Gotcha!" [24/10/23]