Recommended by Bethany Dickens Assaf

The opportunity to serve as a critic of anything (the word 'serve' here being ironic) tends to bring out the worst in people, and Steven G. Martin has expertly captured this in a delightful ten minute play. The character's sad motivations, emphasized by Mrs. Notting's line: "If we didn't have this competition, we would have nothing else," gives this play a twist of empathy, enriching the grandiose humor and hilarious visual images. I would love to see this staged and watch the audience's reactions to the increasingly out-of-control 'art critics!'

Gorgeously written without glossing over historical truths, Carnes' piece is a masterclass of symbolism in just 10 pages. The play also has a wonderful pace and cadence in the interweaving of the three voices. As a side-note, I was also really struck by the impressions Carnes gives us through her stage directions - 'beaten down with dust,' 'preening her daughter's clothes' - which really drew me in from the first few paragraphs. Highly recommend!

A terrific concept that soars thanks to beautifully-crafted characters, both in the midst of a difficult decision with extremely high and personal stakes. This rich and complex short play would be a wonderful opportunity for two actors: despite being science fiction, the question of who (if anyone) is really 'worthy' and 'ready' to have children is a gripping one. I really enjoyed the grace of the ending: McClain finds a satisfying resolution that resonates story-wise as well as thematically.

WHAT a wild ride this play took me on! Sauls' work takes the original's Victorian preoccupations with dangerous sexuality out of the subtext and places it boldly into the foreground. Rarely does an adaptation get to both expound upon, deconstruct, and explore the themes of the original text while still having a grand old time on its own, gloriously over-the-top terms. Add some striking visuals, tense, queer eroticism, and well-earned digs at Jonathan Harker and Dr. Van Helsing, and you've got a play that both engages and keeps you completely off-guard!

A all-too familiar play for anyone who has worked in am office environment, "The Huns" utilizes the language of toxic meetings - pedantic explanations, inter-generational conflict, a lack of real authority, masculine bullying, and technical glitches - to engrossing effect. It's a credit to Albert's pacing and wit that such a hellish conference call could result in a play that is engaging and asks intriguing questions about gender, age discrimination, and the hollowness of the corporate world. Shelley's monologue, in particular, is a stunner and a wonderful opportunity for the actor!

From the opening page, I was completely drawn in to the beautiful language and imagery of this play. Harlowe's world, perspective, and grief are introduced with great delicacy and care, and Reese's struggle to find herself beyond her sister is deeply authentic. Lane's adeptness with metaphors of healing and rebirth enrich the narrative, and turn a compelling family drama into a near-transcendent meditation on the physical cost of being alive. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Terrifically clever play with a touch of speculative humor that makes the audience question what they're seeing and suggests the existentialism that saturates major life events. In this case, Beth and Letia are embarking on a major life journey and have stalled, both literally and perhaps figuratively. This is one of those plays that delights and entertains while reading - both characters are fantastic and well-balanced - while also leaving the audience with rich questions to ponder.

"Ting-A-Ling" is theatrical, hysterically fully, and boasts dialogue that is both highly creative and direct ("green courage", "whining is a state of mind" - YES). Dusty's journey is a delight and I found myself rooting for what became their eventual decision. This is pure joy and rhythm on the page!

A tender, honest, unflinching, and necessary piece: the heartbreaking message at the center of the monologue with a gripping and unflinching slowness. As a white reader, I was drawn into the character's universal joy at the thought of parenthood, only to be shaken, challenged, and convicted by the injustices that percolated, then saturated, his story. This monologue is sheer excellence in writing and pacing and is not to be missed.

A wonderfully sincere and romantic short play - from the first few lines of dialogue, we are rooting for these characters! Foltz's dialogue is quick and clever and has a lovely flow to it. A terrific play for two actors to really dig into and have fun with!