Recommended by Arianna Rose

I remember so clearly as a child, wrapped up in an afghan on the couch, watching black and white detective movies on Channels 9 and 11 in the New York City area. Playwright Bruce Karp brings that all back in his atmospheric, chilling one-act play INN and OUT. A clever and innovative exploration of desire, intrigue, and detective work that will have you turning the pages. It would be great fun to see this on a stage!

One of the skills I admire most in Bruce Karp's writing is his inventiveness, and his spot-on titles. CAREFULLY TAUGHT is no exception. By taking a video from long ago headlines, about two young boys, one black, one white, Playwright Karp explores societal mores and hidden desires in an intriguing manner. Characters Shaquille, Abby and Caleb will have you examining your own prejudices and history. CAREFULLY TAUGHT is a timely piece that is so deserving of further development.

An homage to the screwball comedies of the 1930s-40’s, Playwright Lou Ann Behan has crafted a fun and fast-paced Halloween comedy. Crackling dialogue and over-the-top characters make this an enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed the message of female empowerment and workplace equality.

Ah, show business! I love satire, and playwright Catherine Pearson Tully delivers with this zany, wry, backstage theatre comedy. She expertly builds to the climactic moment with a perfect denouement. Actors, directors, playwrights, and critics will all relate to this play and the audience is the richer for DRESS REHEARSAL. Read it, produce it immediately!

A stunningly gorgeous short play about love, loss, and limes. Playwright Jennifer O'Grady creates characters of wonderful breadth and matter-of-factness. So much is revealed in just nine pages. I wanted to join Elena and Clara on their foray, or at least be a voyeur on their path to healing. A must-read.

One minute of delicious political satire. Rachael Carnes gets my vote every time. Read it and laugh!

You'll fall in love with Mattie and Sharon, and ache with them as they discover secrets about their recently deceased father. Playwright John Mabey beautifully brings us into their world of sibling rivalry and revelry as they navigate what was, what is, and what might be. A gorgeous play about love, loss, and coffin shaming.
Read it and produce it! Then go call your sibling.

An absolutely beautiful, strange, funny, heartbreaking play about loss, dreams, and dolphins. You'll be drawn into Louis' world of dreams and desire. A magnificent ten-minute play - one you'll be talking about long after the final image. I hope this one gets produced everywhere.

I've had the privilege of watching this play develop in our writer's group. Dramatist Bruce Karp has crafted a gorgeous, heartbreaking, searing "Portrait" of friendship, loss, and art. I'm so very glad it's been produced, and hope it goes on to many more productions. An important work from this emerging playwright - put him on your radar.

Dramatist Marj O'Neill-Butler has an uncanny ability to raise the every day, mundane, ordinary moments of life and imbue them with something theatrical, sacred, honest. In Tiny, Secret Notes she provides a window into Diane, her mother, and her deceased father. We are the richer for peering in for a few minutes. In her signature, spare style, O'Neill-Butler addresses themes of grief, letting go, moving on, and hope. Read it and produce it!