Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

The suspense in this beginning of the series is palpable, and as seen through the eyes of a five-year-old, there is no room for nuance: everything is binary: yes or no, real or imagined. The problems of the adults are abstracts to Joey, and his imaginary friend is as real as the toy truck is playing with. That is what makes this story so real and harrowing.

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth... " -- King Lear knew whereof he spoke, but in this short work by DC Cathro, the message of chastisement for an ungrateful child is delivered with a gentle, even forgiving touch, but the impact is just as sharp. Maybe even more so because it is not delivered with venom, and that can be much more meaningful. Amanda and her father's relationship is so clearly shown without the storm and fury, and even the mother has a message for her daughter. I can't imagine this story handled any better than by DC Cathro.

There's a lot on the line -- so to speak -- in this taut yet tender moment as these two wait to see what their future holds. You can feel the tension and the anticipation in the air as they wait... and wonder.

Very nicely crafted with just the right amount of vulnerability and bravado, with the uncertainty that comes with knowing -- and not knowing -- what this little line will tell them.

It's bound to happen: you meet up with someone but you just can't place the name because you're both in a different environment and circumstances. So you both make polite and circumspect conversation until it slowly dawns on both of you where and when... and how. Vita Patrick Morales navigates this social minefield with fully-developed characters and great dialogue. The payoff is both unexpected and funny, and this play would be a fun piece for any ten-minute play festival.

A sweet romance between two very different people who find each other bird-watching on a rocky shore and learn that they have something in common besides an interest in puffins. Nothing about this play is overwrought or weighted down; it's light and affirming in the best way.

There are few genres that are more tempting to send up (and send to the cleaners) than the noirish hard-bitten detective with a seductive suspect that he is trying to get to sing and perhaps seduce. In this sketch, Charlotte Stowe turns up the heat along with the cliches and puts them to great good fun. Actors would have a great deal of fun with this, as will the audience.

This play touched me deeply not just because of the time and words shared between these two life-long friends, but because of the unspoken dialogue between them as well. Joe Swenson's gentle touch with the little loving barbs that only friends can share, reaches us and lets us in on the absolute truth that friendships endure regardless of the minor interventions that come with life. What a moment.

Relationships are hard to explain in words, sometimes. Oh, heck, they're hard to explain most if not all the time. But in this short monologue, Allie Costa sums up the friendship that was formed, grew, and ended in a short time period, but in a way, it doesn't really end. Charming, truthful, and honest.

I am vulnerable to stories about animals, including the ones made by loving hands as companions for children. Just ask Max and Snowball, who have been my friends for over sixty years. So this origin story of The Bear, who has many tales to tell, is intriguing and breathtaking, frightening and yet full of hope. Thank you, Christopher Plumridge, for starting me out on this journey.

This could have been recorded numerous times during my short teaching career, both in high school and college, right down to the world-weary professor and the "student." Perfect for any one-minute play festival as well as a cautionary tale for both sides.