Recommended by Adam Richter

Abraham was kind of a jerk for showing God that he'd be willing to kill his only son on His say-so. Or was he? I like how John Bavoso imbues both characters with complexity and heart in this very funny short play. "Awkward Conversation" offers some witty insight into the legend of Abraham and Isaac.

Franky Gonzalez takes a stiletto to evangelical Christianity in this short and (deservedly) brutal one-minute play. Helping the other is a laudable goal, but only if it's far away from our own backyard. This should be performed often.

I often have asked the question: “Why corn dogs?” In Matthew Weaver’s sublime short monologue, the corn dog has the exact same question. This tragic comedy is a delightful piece that makes you feel empathy for the carnival treat just as he’s hauled off to the deep fryer. Nice work!

Love may conquer all, but cynicism makes a strong showing in this witty two-hander. William tries to warn his future son-in-law of the pitfalls of marriage — like a wife who won't buy her own cereal! — but to no avail, While he tries to argue that marriage is about making a million little sacrifices, William reveals that the secret to a happy one is accepting that all those sacrifices are worth it.

A delightful two-hander about strangers who meet and form a bond. Vivian Lermond gives us two rich, likable characters in Willie and Ida, teasing us with just enough of their backstories to know that they've each lived a hard life and could just use a friend. Luckily, they found each other.

What do you get when you cross a mafia hit man, a Sasquatch and a bunch of pagans? That is one of the eternal questions, and at long last Scott Sickles gives us the answer: A musical extravaganza!
This play, whose title is longer than the entirety of dialogue, is a fun and twisted nonspoken piece that gives the actors lots of room to get creative with physical movement. It was a delight to read and would be a treat to see live onstage.

Diana Burbano's play is a heartbreaking elegy to the victims of senseless gun violence (is there any other kind?) and the holes they leave in the lives of the survivors. This is a beautiful and powerful short play that needs to be seen.

This play is filled with fine dramatic moments as it presents the complex issue of abortion — and specifically what it means to young couples just starting out — in a nuanced and compelling way. This would be a great addition to any short play festival.

This play has great dialogue and is a terrific portrayal of grief after the death of a father. The play has its lighter moments but when she ratchets up the dramatic tension, that's when I was on the edge of my seat. Fantastic short play.

Sometimes a best friend will help you bury a body, but Gabi is not that kind of best friend. Which is good, because despite what Rene wants, that's not the kind of friend she needs right now. This short play is a delightful and funny comedy of friendship that calls for some really clever staging. This would be great for any short-play festival.