Recommended by Steven G. Martin

This one-minute play made me cry a little, sigh a little. I love that Scott Sickles shows that even the briefest respite from depression, grief, guilt ... anything negative that wears us down ... is to be savored. Even if it's a minute long. Even if we know the grind will return. "Signs of Life" will make audiences cry a little, sigh a little.

I love John Minigan's one-minute drama because the historical family dynamic is clear with only a few lines Alessandra's dialogue. I also love Alessandra's earnestness and openness.

Yet, this script seems to be less about what Alessandra says than when and, literally, how. She probably is at the height of her agency, but it's undercut because of when and how she communicates with her father. It made me feel for her and understand her inner conflicts.

"Bedside Manners" is subtle, layered, engaging drama told within 60 seconds.

I love this 10-minute mother-daughter drama. Nimisha Ladva generously gives both characters opportunities to shine, to show that they understand and respect one another more than an audience first suspects. Audiences will see and appreciate both women's similarities as much as their differences in "Laundry is Not Enough."

I love that this short sci-fi comedy shows how profoundly the effort to be creative impacts the creator. Geoffrey's character arc, while short, has several stages -- including a final wordless set of actions -- that ultimately made me smile.

"The Volitive Effect of Oral Literary Inundation on the LSTM Recurrent Neural Network" is neither anti-A.I. nor anti-technology, but instead pro-artistry and pro-creativity. I'm glad I read it and I'd love to see a production.

What I especially like about this play is how this play shifts from crime story to all-out horror so smoothly, so clearly. Monica Cross's "Braden the Burglar: A Cautionary Tale for Liars and Thieves" is a gem that'll give audiences the goosebumps.

I love the form Mark Loewenstern's short drama takes: A very analytical, self-aware character monologue that incorporates and plays with rhythm and pattern, and speeds and slows time. There are strong emotions in "One is the Road," but it feels they're examined from a distance rather than fully experienced. I'd love to see this on stage or hear it through the radio.

I love that Emily Hageman's short comedy parodies well-known characters from classic literature. Even better, however, is how the story brings all of them together in appreciation of each other.

There is so much that is shocking in Hannah Vaughn's 10-minute dark comedy: The almost cute title compared to the viciousness of the revenge, the secret that is never uttered, the imagined sights and stench of the tools of revenge.

What I love most, however, is how Vaughan shows these two young women reestablishing a bond that clearly will never be broken after the events of this night.

Vivian Lermond's one-minute comedy shows how couples can speak in a shorthand ... and sometimes with a few choice gestures. There'll be a gasp of laughter at the end, it's an unexpected shock.

I look forward to watching "Charades" during the 2021 Gi60 U.K. festival in December.

This is the epic holiday crossover event you've been waiting for. Brisk, filled with banter, fun visuals -- "Joyride" is going to be a favorite of any audience who sees it.

I'm looking forward to seeing "Joyride" during the 2021 Gi60 UK festival in December.