Recommended by Emily McClain

The offstage horror that is unleashed by the reign of toddler terror is only the starting point for the dark humor of this short play. The really frightening part is the parents' response and rationalization of their perfect little angel's horrendous behavior- and how easily the other adults in the room accept it as perfectly normal. "Just have confidence" and "Don't let anyone else dim your shine" seem like such innocuous phrases until they find the right level of child-sociopath to interpret them! Wonderfully dark comedy!

The horror of hosting an unexpected guest, compounded when that guest is the Son of God returned to earth, makes the conflict of this short play crackle with energy. Both characters are so grounded and represent such specific worldviews they seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum until it feels more like they're at points on a circle rather than a straight line, and actually they are closer to being on the same side after all. Thought provoking and very funny!

This monologue has a beautiful lyric quality, much like the dream-state she describes. It's a sumptuous feast of images and experiences and made me long for the day when we can experience music together at concerts again.

The esclating tension throughout this short play feels so authentic to anyone who has experience with bullying- no matter how Joe tries to diffuse the situation or find a way around the anger, Josh blocks his escape. When the dam bursts, it's earned and satisfying. The unspoken connection and common ground the two characters find at the end works for the world of the play.

Two characters who are at odds find a place of truce within their shared pain. It's complexity that you wouldn't think possible within one minute, and yet it's amazingly honest and touching.

This 1 minute play is SO hilarious and serves as a reminder of the classic cautionary tale: don't name-drop to make yourself seem smarter at cocktail parties! Great work!

Peter Dakutis is a master of skewering the banal evil that is corporate America. Seeing OFFBOARDING at the Snowdance Comedy Festival this year was a treat and I hope these characters live on in many more productions in the future. The humor is dark and biting and will resonate with any poor person unfortunate enough to deal with life as a "drudge." When Bobble finally gets their soul returned to them, crumpled and crushed though it may be, we all feel vindicated! Loved it!

This beautiful monologue gives us such a clear picture inside the mind of a goldfish- and there's a surprising amount going on in there! I enjoyed the performance of this piece at Stage Left's Fast & Furious festival and it would be an awesome addition to any monologue festival- virtual or in person!

We've all got that one goofy friend, seemingly ditzy or dim, who is actually the most insightful of us all if we'd just *really* listen to them. Monica Cross' sweet and heartwarming 1 minute play allows that friend the space she needs, and it's so wonderful!

DC Cathro's SKIN is an exploration of how we are shaped, for better or worse, by the way we respond to the inevitable betrayals of our lives. Jo's beautiful monologue when she finally explains her version of betrayal is incredibly powerful (HEY ACTORS! FANTASTIC AUDITION MATERIAL ALERT!) and brings a new level of clarity to her character and the whole action of the play. Also, I love any play that gives Popeye's the credit it deserves! Fantastic work!