Recommended by Adam Richter

[2025-12-10]

Scott Sickles is fast becoming one of my favorite science fiction writers. This short play is one reason why. "Shipbuilding" is a gripping tale, told with audio only for more than half the play — which only builds the suspense and terror. The ideas he explores through the characters will linger with the audiences (along with the sound effects) long after the lights finally go down.

[2025-11-28]
What are the odds that an alien race will make its first contact via chain letter? Pretty high, according to Evelyn. We are treated to a hilarious and trippy debate over whether aliens have made contact with Earth — specifically with Janice. Monica Cross is a brilliant sci-fi writer, and this play shows off her considerable comedy chops as well. I'd love to see this on a stage!

[2025-11-28]
One of the many things I like about D.C. Cathro's plays is his unmatched talent for giving us characters on all sides of a conflict whom you want to root for. This short but profoundly moving play about loss and life gives us two people in different stages of the grieving process, but neither one is wrong. A brilliant play that gives a rich experience to actors and audiences alike.

[2025-11-28]

Look, you can enjoy the "Little Drummer Boy" song all you want, but the fact is a drum solo is a terrible gift for a newborn. Lisa Dellgiarino Feriend's short comedy is EXACTLY how I would envision the encounter to take place. "Drummer Boy" is bursting at the seams with laugh-out-loud jokes and terrific conflict between the young musician and the parents (well, mom and step-dad) of Christ.
What a great addition to any night of holiday shorts! Bravo!

[2025-11-21]

School shootings are the absolute worst part of living in the United States in the 21st century, due in no small part to lawmakers' collective indifference to them. Debra Cole's intimate, terrifying "Shelter in Place" perfectly captures the horror of America these days. This play needs to be seen. It needs to be experienced.

[2025-11-10]
Asher Wyndham opens this monologue with the most familiar of familiar settings, then hits the audience square in the patriarchy with a wild and wonderful left turn. Wilma is a force to be reckoned with as powerful as any storm system she might describe. The audience, and her employers, would do well to listen to what she has to say.

[2025-11-09]

In this lyrical and unnerving short, Scott gives his two characters the ultimate bullied child's revenge: the death of their tormentor. But the problem with revenge fantasies is that they are fantasy, and both kids are left to deal with the ramifications. A chilling and haunting piece that I'd love to see performed on a stage — or as a radio piece.

[2025-10-29]

Horror tropes have been around forever, and calling them out has been a practice since well before "Scream." Neil Radtke manages the impossible in this short thriller: Calling out the tropes without the accompanying eye roll. The lack of ironic detachment makes this a delicious suspense play, even though we think we know what's going to happen.

[2025-10-28]

As Keeley Jones said, "teenage girls are, like mysterious, dark and dangerous." Nowhere is that better demonstrated than in "Alice," a tense, suspenseful horror short in which the doll with a cracked skull is NOT the most unsettling being on stage. An excellent two-hander for female actors, this would be the highlight of any horror play festival. Bravo!

[2025-10-28]

Vulture Girl knows what she want, and if her mom knows what's good for her, she'll listen. I know firsthand what is like to have a smart child who knows what she wants to be for Halloween and Asher completely nails the character and the attitude. This would be a joy to see on stage. Plus I want to see the vulture costume!

Bravo!