Recommended by Steven G. Martin

"The Statues" will provoke a lot of thought with its philosophical perspective on burdens and being. I also love the visuals in this play, including actor movement and lack thereof.

Georgia Xanthopoulou's dystopian drama is wonderful: the world-building through visuals and dialogue is succinct and clear, Aisthanoussa is a protagonist everyone wants to see succeed, and the climax of "Shh!" shows her life has changed because of her actions in this short play. Xanthopoulou's storytelling is excellent and I want to know more.

Watching characters evolve from zero interest in each another to rich, robust chemistry is a delight. I love that Erin Osgood's comedy adds another level by undermining through that chemistry with laser-edged scissors of cringey reality. I saw "Wine DNA" in performance and -- like everyone else in the audience -- enjoyed myself immensely.

"The Trouble with Cashews" is a new favorite short comedy. Little things mean a lot and here they are the warning signs of the complete breakdown of human civility and civilization. Tara's journey is especially rich as she changes from unaware onlooker to intense and disbelieving witness to active participant to solve the problem she sees, which I appreciate. I saw a production of "The Trouble with Cashews" in a short play festival in Michigan and joined the audience in howling with delight.

This earnest, emotional daddy-daughter comedy-drama has a strong point of view -- the audience knows whose story it is. Fulk's sublime sleight-of-hand at the end brought a smile to every audience member's face when i watched "Baby Girl" in performance at a short play festival. Great heart here.

This very short play is filled with brisk, silly humor and it is fully self-aware. I watched it in performance and heard the audience collectively chuckle when they figured out the premise. Great fun from Fulk.

Reading this monologue by anghus houvouras made me shiver. I need to see it in performance. It will divide audiences: those who fall in line with Jack's bullshit and those who will call him on it. "It’s truly impressive what transgressions you’re willing to forgive when we deliver you order. And even when order comes at a steep price... you’re willing to pay."

Read it for the creepy crawlies in the titles, enjoy it for the emotional resonance. Yes, you'll shiver and itch during this romantic comedy, but John Patrick Bray has dramatized a turning point in Julie and Matt's relationship. It's sweet, it's romantic, it's funny ... all with a backdrop of infestation and grossness.

I love "Wetiko Principle," which is less of a play and more of a philosophical brief on how to live and behave when we feel surrounded by evil and idiocy.

The mating rituals of straight people are crazy. John Busser's documentary about two sexed-up people on the prowl is rife with insights about the human condition and ... one second, we're getting word this is a sex farce. This is a sex farce, folks. A hilarious short one-act with lewd lines, a fun and funny premise of sports announcers commenting on sexual hookups, and characters whom the audience will love to laugh at. It's a winner! [And I reiterate, straight mating rituals are crazy.]