Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Barbot's short play is a funny, winking dash of dramatic irony. It would fit perfectly in a holiday-themed short play festival.

Heartfelt, beautiful fantasy. The story begins as a mystery, but we slowly come to understand the nature of Amanda's spirit. We then come to understand the connections between her and Ryan. And we intuit what may happen, and it's beautiful when it does. Such a satisfying play.

O'Grady has written a fine story of inter-generational connection through music. It's bittersweet, perhaps, but it also nicely shows a teenage girl's earliest experiences into a new interest.

Standing up for one's right to try is heroic. Stan Lee, the early teen protagonist of Lucy Wang's terrific short monologue, is a hero. Wang shows audiences an adventurous young man who doesn't meekly accept other people's expectations of who he should be or what he should want.

This is a deeply satisfying portrait.

Weaver shows moments of the character's clarity and knowledge, but is humane enough to show his moments of doubts, fear and rebellion.

It's a satisfying portrait also because there are plenty of subjective moments of intimacy paired with a brief, objective moment of almost-historic documentation -- which then leads to an ultimate understanding.

Surprising and reassuring, epic and intimate. This play embraces so much, including its subject and its audience. I hope I have the opportunity to direct and/or attend a performance.

Stevens' short play will be a standout at any theatre: wonderful use of action/movement, expansive time, and non-realistic/omniscient voice. Actors and a director will find so many levels, too: an adventurous sports story, a story about regret and redemption, even a tale about masculinity and femininity. Exciting.

Hayet's brisk comedy is open to lots of interpretations for a director and female performers. Whether played sunny and earnest or with just the slightest devious twinkle, "McIntosh" is all fun.

Jerry knows and understands his perspectives, unfortunately he assumes Natalie shares them. McClain shows that being nice and helpful means little if it's not focused on what the other person needs. After reading "The Un-Help Desk," you'll see why it's more than deserving of its accolades and productions.

Laugh-out-loud funny. I love silly humor, and the scenario Carnes has created is near to bursting with it. Everyone involved in the production of "ME DIRECT" will love it, and audiences will love it even more.

Loving sisters up against a cold reality. When needs arise, family members will ask anything of and do anything for one another, including providing an escape. Franky Gonzalez's short play is bittersweet and offers a lot of subtext for female actors to play.