Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Everything is changing in Sickles' "Pangea," the second of a three-part epic cycle of plays. The world is beginning to end and two men who have long loved one another have finally met. And the changes cause personal, political, and environmental rifts that must be navigated. Very highly recommended.

"Marianas Trench" is beautifully complex: a dystopian drama, a coming-of-age tale, a story of first love and longing, and the uncertainty that first love and longing bring. This full-length play is frightening, sad, heartbreaking, and more than a little bittersweet. Very highly recommended.

On June 5, 2020, I attended Portland Stage's reading of "Marianas Trench" as part of its Little Festival of the Unexpected. All the emotions -- and not just the romantic ones -- were heightened by beautiful performances. I'd love to attend a full production of this play.

"It gets better" means nothing to those people whose immediate future promises only pain, humiliation, and suffering. Perhaps the only option, from their perspective, is the unthinkable one.

Martin has created such a specific character in Denny Jacobs through voice and cadence, backstory, and self-critique. He has done horrible things, but through Martin's monologue I can understand why and -- perhaps -- feel some sympathy.

Martin beautifully packs a lot of personal history in this one-minute drama. A lot is left unspoken and a lot more questions are raised in the audience members' minds. I'd love to see a production of "Baggage."

Dry humor permeates Higbee's very enjoyable 10-minute folktale. Bessie and Bob almost feel like they're from separate eras as they contend with family traditions regarding marriage proposals. "Cherries Jubilee" would be fun for audiences and actors alike.

Our need to be heard and understood when we are suffering is universal. This one-act adaptation is another piece of evidence; Sickles modernizes Chekhov's 1886 short story by setting it in 1999 New York City.

"We'll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet" will appeal to directors and actors with its vibrant, varied characters and its subtle tension and drama.

Earnest, lovely, emotional, and surprising. Audience members' hearts are going to rise and fall and rise again during this one-minute play.

Andrew Siañez-De La O's one-minute play is a poetic remembrance that needs to be performed, not just read. Andrew has created strong voices that hint at a sense of play and confirm a sense of loss.

This is a play for all of us who have experienced loss. This is a play for all of us who have wondered and hoped, but never knew for certain. Emotionally touching, dream-like, funny, and full of images and visuals.

I finished reading this play more than ten minutes ago, and I'm still crying. "My Pretty Pink Rifle" dramatizes a harsh reality no one should face.