Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Read this short play once, and you'll appreciate the story and the emotion behind it. Read it a second time and you'll appreciate Joe Swenson's skill to create characters who are unable to connect. It's difficult, but it's done very well in "Clouds."

This short, comedic play is an excellent example of "Protagonist v. Self" conflict. I love the humor, I love the underlying romance, I love how empowering the story is. Just terrific work by Aly Kantor.

God bless all the committee members whose hands are tied when trying to select a lineup of shows for a theater's season. Colette Marie Murphy clearly has been part of such a committee with this loving, wry poke at what can -- and most importantly, cannot -- be produced by a theater. "It's a Fabulous Play" is a lot of fun, especially the variety of characters.

There's nothing more lovely than when vulnerability is met with compassion and love. "The Rekindling" is fantastical and sweet and loving and completely-out-of-left-field with an ending line that will make audiences gasp.

Ky Weeks' absolutely wonderful writing shines in "650 Meters, 15 Knots." Within a page, Weeks establishes an uneasy atmosphere and creates backstory and situation. The protagonists suffer and desire change. There is an eerily stoic antagonist whose only obstacle -- unwavering sameness -- could be easily overcome, but causes genuine dread. We're seeing psyches crack in "650 Meters, 15 Knots" and I'd love to learn more about it all.

Scott Sickles has established an amazing situation in this one-minute comic monologue, and the visuals alone will keep an audience rolling in the aisles for minutes.

But what I like even more than the situation is Rami's take-charge attitude and ability to take matters into their own hands ... even when their hands are tied behind their back.

"Escape from Taigh Nan Gobhar" is combustible: heated situation, heated conflict. This short, comic monologue will crackle on the stage. I'd love to see a performance.

This skewering of the "rah-rah pep talk in the locker room before the big game" trope is pure, dark comedy perfection.

I love how Greg Mandryk refreshes the family melodrama and sci-fi monster invasion movies in this short parody. There are sight gags, terrific juxtaposition of dialogue, and more than a few cliched characters who are in the know. "September in Biddeford" is great fun and timeless enough to enjoy a robust production history.

An unsettling short drama not about art, but the impact of technology on the lives of creators and, by extension, humankind. I love the ending because no one can know the answer, and more questions are raised.

So much emotion, so much to relate to that audience tears will flow. "Treasure" is a treasure.