Recommended by Cherielyn Ferguson

This play will speak to anyone who’s ever experienced mental illness, as well as to those who’ve tried to understand it. It shines a light on how we struggle to be seen as whole by the rest of the world, while we know there’s so much going on inside us that others don’t see. That’s how Violet and Harris spoke to me, anyway. Sam Heyman’s play will prompt you to see yourself in Harris and to wonder where your own Violet might hiding be these days.

What ARE the statues and busts we see in countless museums really thinking? I love the idea that Egypt's Queen Nefertiti objects to her placement in a gallery filled with Greek statues. This is an excellent monologue that starts with Nefertiti's clear insights and reasoning, and ends the only way it can--with her emphatic decision to take action.

I'd love to see this onstage. Even though Dave is silent until the very end, there's so much room for an actor to show his stuff through reactions to his wife Deb's disappointment over Dave's gift. And the piece gives Deb plenty of the same opportunities as she travels from anger to surprise to the delight she feels when she finally understands Dave's gift to her. It's easy to stage and perfect for a short-short play festival.

There's a great sense of specificity here as a boy struggles to follow through with the chore of clearing out a nest filled with baby birds. Finding that he identifies with swallows and their penchant for cleanliness makes it all the harder. I was in suspense as to whether he'd do it or not, and raced through this piece to find out. An excellent monologue with twists and turns--great for a young actor wanting to show off their skills.

I laughed out loud more times than I can count as I read this funny and touching play. And as I think back on a few of the best lines, I'm laughing again. Wonderful parts for four women and a terrific role for a man who can serially embody a working-class father, a priest, and a troublesome female parishioner/neighbor. It's no wonder Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues to rack up productions. I wish there was going to be one near me! Or that I could be in it . . .

I was totally captured by the combination of two unlikely circumstances: the on-stage life of a stand-up comedian and his backstage life where his mother waits to give him life-changing news. Two satisfying and well-written parts where actors can show their stuff. Well done!

This play takes place in a totally unique environment: a medical school cadaver lab. It explores the relationship between those who learn from the work—-the medical students, and those who enable the work—-the recently departed. Grace’s struggles to begin her assignment are expressed perfectly and movingly in this short play as it poses an important question: How can we honor the sacrifice of those willing to leave their remains to science? A really thoughtful play that made me want more.

I was able to catch this at Central Works in Berkeley and thoroughly enjoyed it. The time is just right for a play like this that explores AI and its attendant opportunities consequences. And it offers four excellent roles to actors--all of them substantial and critical to the plot. Plus, a great title!

This is a very thoughtful, yet totally entertaining “what if” play. What if the people in those stock photos we see everywhere could tell us what they really think? In Stocked, some of them think life is good, while others see it quite differently. Ben dreams of being a part of the stock world, but gets a warning from a veteran. Read the play to find out if his dreams come true, or turn into nightmares.

We’ve all been there—the aisle, the window and the dreaded middle seat. I was captivated by the occupants of all three of these seats as they navigated both the close quarters and the effects of window-seater Amy’s TMI. There are more than a couple of twists to surprise you and keep you wondering how it will all turn out in the end. Another plus that almost every single audience member will relate to it. Choose this play, then give fun roles to three lucky actors!