Recommended by Jordan Elizabeth

Combining humor and themes on immigration, AN ALIEN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is absolutely precious, hysterical, and so important. Guyton underscores what so many in the younger generation already understand: that hospitality and safe-haven are some of the things that truly make America great, whether the immigrants come from Australia, Sweden, or another solar system. A terrific play for a large cast of kids; and though this is a TYA piece, children and adults alike will get a lot from this smart, funny play.

This short psychological horror play is SO MUCH FUN. The setting and setup calls to mind Stephen King, but Ford makes the genre her own in such a satisfying way. With a subtle cat-and-mouse interplay and terrific exposition, this is a play about survival strategies, consequences, and the borderland between truth and lies.

A play full of music, movement, poetry, and deep, deep beauty, HOW ARE YOU CALLED? is a story about heritage: the things we forget, the things we long to remember. I desperately want to see a production of this piece.

A funny but extremely chilling look at the way racism, sexism, and gender politics are being discussed over the Internet: with the anonymity that the virtual world presents us, we cease being human and cease seeing others as human, as well. A really brilliant satire that melds science fiction and contemporary politics. Gosh, I love Matsushita's work.

So smart, so funny, so perfect. The more I read of Duncan's work, the more I love it. This futuristic flip on Don't Ask Don't Tell is fantastically hilarious while also asking questions about war and the military.

This gun control monologue is really something special, both because it incorporates humor (which gets attention in ways drama and tragedy sometimes do not) and is full of extremely useful information. I love the employment of traditional, 'cliched' salesmen tropes to further underscore the point: that in America, guns are a commodity more valuable than human life. This would be a great opener or closer to a festival of plays about gun control.

A sweet, funny short play that will ring true for anyone who has been in a relationship that implodes. I love Flynn's control over the language and tempo of this piece -- it's quick, smart, and witty.

A beautiful, heartfelt, loving tribute to a loved one who has passed on from this world, I LIKE FANCY THINGS would easily translate from a short stage play to a short film. We learn to love the father through the son's eyes -- and we learn to love to son through his deep love and respect for his father. With nuance and a lovely rhythm, this would be a perfect audition piece for a middle-aged actor.

YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! This hilarious, vulnerable monologue made me want to stand up and cheer. Partain once again gives us a woman with humor, sexuality, and honesty -- an incredibly refreshing combination to see onstage. CURVES would be a perfect audition piece for basically any woman.

A lovely, moving short monologue about homelessness and hopelessness. Lydia's choices -- to stay stationary, to be as immovable as concrete, or to take a risk and attempt a brief rejoining of the world -- is impossibly hard and heartbreaking. A beautiful character-study and window into the world of women living on the street.