Recommended by Bethany Dickens Assaf

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.

Lovely, though-provoking, and theatrically compelling, Harmon's "Exhibits in a Zoo" is a must for consideration in any TYA production. The subject matter, while certainly and necessarily dark, strikes a fine-tuned balance between important subject matter and magical realism, creating an accessible world for young audiences. The main characters are consistently decent and kind, with Mendel himself serving as a gracious focal point in a tragic world.

Charming, clever - HYSTERICALLY funny - a must-have for any sketch show! The characters are truly delightful and the dialogue is pitch-perfect. I smiled and laughed the entire way through.

Surprising, engaging - a treat for two actors to play. Waldman-Brown effectively balances the extremely high stakes with the beats of a meaningful, personal conversation. There are also points of deep, dark amusement - sure to entertain.

I highly recommend this intense piece, which confronts the current epidemic of student debt through a smart and gripping conversation. I kept waiting for one of the characters to begin a lecture on our debt crisis but the concept works specifically because of the play's restraint: McLindon is most interested in the characterizations and the human question of what we will stake for a life without shame and despair. The twist comes at just the right moment and is sure to elicit a gasp from the audience!