Recommended by Bethany Dickens Assaf

I cannot say enough good things about this delightful, warm, and funny piece. Through deft characterization and the stakes-raising conceit of trying to find a taxi in the rain, Charles Dent immediately draws us into the world of this former couple. I was so taken by the seamless construction of the humor and the romance and the bright authenticity of the dialogue. A perfect re-meet-cute for any short play festival.

A twisty take on the politics surrounding reopening in the wake of COVID, Charles Dent's piece is an effective conversation starter on truth and who controls it. Though supposedly united in purpose, the characters are fascinating representations of a myriad of viewpoints surrounding culture, collective action, and what we owe to ourselves and each other. One of these viewpoints is not fully apparent until a highly enjoyable twist ending. I strongly recommend this work, especially for a Zoom festival!

In this creatively conceived work that easily spans years in broad strokes and fascinating specifics, Jackson Hoemann has theatrically captured an incredible amount of the coping mechanisms, anxieties, and internal dialogues of the mind. The concept of the unreliable narrator here is taken to new heights, with multiple facets of the main character's personality presenting information in distinct voices, each individually motivated. The most heartbreaking moments in the piece are when the voices insist on the main character's 'brokenness,' even as those around him are seeing his worth. And that ending monologue is a stunner!

There's so many things I love about this achingly honest conversation between a couple trying to explore their marital roles as a means of accessing who they truly are (or might be). Juniper McKelvie allows revelation after revelation to unfold naturally, with each twist feeling earned and authentic. I was so struck by this marriage, which meets the modern definition of 'stagnant,' but is dynamic and layered and full of life. The dialogue is also brilliantly nuanced, FUN, and doesn't get in the way of one of the most brilliant uses of silence I've seen in a long while!

An outstandingly well-written meditation on the nuances of aging, Liz Coley's "Castaways" is a fresh absurdist take on dementia, death, and and the fickleness of memory. The play offers no easy answers, leaning into the surreal premise without losing its grasp on the story's central humanity. Mary Ann and Ginger are two lovely characters approaching a new adventure, and do so with a combination of grit and melancholy that leaves an indelible and aching impression on the reader.

Surprising, fascinating, and - above all - infuriating in the best way, Liz Coley's play takes a theatrical and unique look at recent #MeToo movements. The dialogue is compelling and fresh, and each character is a striking and thoughtful portrayal of three familiar women. Coley has found unexpected layers and tensions in this imagined conversation between Anita Hill, Monica Lewinsky, and Christine Blasey Ford, exposing some of the hardships and hangups of the modern feminist moment.

Wonderfully and relentlessly clever: a play to get lost in and savor. Ehrlich deftly captures so many of the toxic and painful elements of office culture without belaboring any particular point, crafting an impression of this surreal world through sparkling dialogue and punchy moments of pure sexism and snark. This is a play chock-full of excellent lines that any actor would be eager to dive into - I could list a dozen examples but they are incomplete without the deliciously caustic tone. Highly recommend!

A surprisingly joyful, funny play that takes it time building laughs through naturalistic dialogue. The comedy is Python-esque: surreal and in no great hurry, hitting jokes with competence and without losing the flow of the piece. A fabulous addition to any short play festival.

Profoundly and uncompromisingly dark, Sauls' memory play on trauma and the ruthlessness of evil takes the reader on a theatrical journey through a victim's soul. The piece is a compelling one to visualize onstage, as it is filled with unreliable narrators, repressed memories, and richly imagined violence. Sauls offers no easy answers or quick respite for the audience, while still finding human moments among even the worst of circumstances.

A well-written, high concept piece that speaks to a critical topic without becoming bogged down in political messaging or preaching. The two main characters, Meg and Claire, are both engaging, despicable, and compelling: even if you find their actions horrendous, Mindy R. Roll has crafted them with surprising and thoughtful empathy. The multiple layers unfold at a brisk and confident pace, providing specifics to this world while never losing focus on its central argument.