Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Chris Soucy's short drama is high on atmosphere, character, action, and plot. But I especially love how the voiceover narration is integrated into the story, especially the cliffhanger resolution.

There is so much joy in this monologue, all of it highly detailed and specific: sweet memories of family, the giddiness of romantic love, and, most deliciously, palate-pleasing adventures. There is so much joy in living life Jonté is telling us, and I'm firmly on her side.

The resolution in this short play is breathtaking. Simple, elegant, direct, and breathtaking.

It's very affecting when people know someone is listening and understanding, which is what makes "Jon Wurtele" so enjoyable. Jordan Muschler doesn't provide a moment of agreement -- individual tastes differ, especially in the arts -- but that moment when Jon and Brian open up to talk about their passions for theatre, that moment of empathy and understanding is wonderful.

I love when characters spin yarns, tell tall tales, pull someone's leg, even flat-out lie just for the sake of having a good time. Williams' "37 Origami Bees" had me laughing at the details, then grinning when the other shoe drops.

Cathro trusts the audience to infer more than what's said in the dialogue of all his plays, "37 Origami Bees" included. We don't know everything happening between Shelly and Brady, but we know enough to sense what might happen next. Excellent writing in a scant few minutes.

Matthew Weaver's charming, near-silent comedy had me hooked when it referenced A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh." Actors will love the four roles in this short play, which is very visual and very physical. Silly, thoughtful, kind-hearted stuff here.

I love the depth of Jennifer O'Grady's short play. A species is on the verge of collapse, the leader is a monarch with no real power or influence, and almost everyone is apathetic about the end. So yeah, it's about "bees." But Jennifer adds a calm reminder that there needs to be caring and interest in others.

Another excellent portrait by Asher Wyndham, this one in the form of a social satire monologue. Char Lexington is Cavity Sam from the board game "Operation" -- completely empty of anything human, just dollar signs in the eyes and moneybags where the heart should be.

There is such manic glee in John Busser's very funny play about technology behaving badly. Alexa's nearly nonstop entries about various subjects are hilarious, especially when they push the character of John to his breaking point. Actors and audiences will love "37 Origami Bees."