Recommended by Asher Wyndham

This was my favorite play from Kapil's trilogy when I saw it at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis. The first play I saw with an Intersex character. As a stand-up routine it's entertaining because of how it's structured; it's a composite of different types of performances/narratives on Hindu mythology and sexuality and contemporary probings into gender identity. And that's what makes it unlike any play on the planet. It's also what makes it a lot of fun. There's multi-media and a guitar player. This play has had a big influence on my monologue writing.

Sapio's Hocking Murray is short - but not short on depth. It works on several levels, and readers/audience members will take what they want from it. It's thoroughly a comedy; it's an unexpected ethical dialog; and it's an intriguing philosophical dialog in an absurd way. The dialog is sharp like an early Mamet short. If you want a weird story concept that's surprisingly deep and unsettling, then check out some short plays by Sapio!

Kind of crossed between The Truman Show and Keeping Up With The Kardassians. It's intriguing the parents are videotaping their kids, selling them basically, in hopes of profiting from it. Weird and funny, but it's serious in its intent. Reflects our culture's gross obessesion with making the private (and the least interesting parts of ourselves) public. Don't be surprised: you might not be on TV like this family, but you're famous, somewhat -- your reality is on Instagram, Facebook, etc. I can see why this play was one of the few chosen by Theatre InspiraTO.

Two lesbians drunk on champagne engage in a tug-a-words in a nightclub. Fierce and feisty dialog reveal the fronts that people put up to hide their insecurities. I've never read flirting like this before; it's intimate and intense. Sometimes to truly connect with someone you gotta be hard--you gotta call the other person out on their s**&! I was surprised to have feelings for Nicole at the end; my heart broke for her.

Tear-jerker. Works powerfully on two levels. On one level, it addresses parental responsibility or collective responsibility when it comes to mourning the loss of a love one. When is the right time to move on and stop mourning? On another level, it addresses the mourning of black lives lost, including children, to cops. It connects individual loss - the lost of son - to the loss of so many black lives. And the dedication of these Black parents to carry on mourning with the other parents and everyone else. A must-read.

A remarkable short play. While ratcheting up tension between the two sisters we learn so much about their lives, their economic situations, shortcomings and desires. This is a fine example of a play where information about backstory and present story is revealed effectively through action/conflict. This playwright's got the skill. It doesn't look bright for these sisters--and that makes you wonder..it forces you to think hard about the political/social forces that put these two in the situation where they are.

Never read a short play where breakup is so beautiful. Exquisite imagery, burning tension and intimacy, poetic dialog that doesn't feel forced. Captivating emotional development is such a short amount of time. It's definitely surreal with its situation in an unusual landscape for drama, but it's real because the characters are so REAL and truthful and weird. Memorable stage design -- its description makes you think of a wacky painting. I highly recommend this play for full production. If I was a producer, I would consider this gem.

Anyone who has lost a love one, who has attended to someone who "ain't long for the world", anyone who's watched that special someone die in their arms can relate to this. Poignant. Poetic. Perfect. Produce it now. I enjoyed the story telling with the rose, the river stone and other symbols. I will definitely check out Chisholm's other plays.

A spectacle of tween angst and sexuality that makes it a play like no other. It's also really funny. And the fluidity of the action and conflict from start to finish showcases a playwright who thinks outside the box when it comes to structure. This is a fine example of a contemporary play where unconventional structure effectively serves story. Study it for that. The long history of its development and recognition all over the nation (!) is proof of the play's power. Raw. Real. Read it now. Megaphone blast: Attention, Artistic directors. Put this playwright on your radar!

Although taking place during the 90s, these comedic monologues centering on gay Latino life in America are still compelling. As an evening's entertainment, Reyes' collection is a complex examination of American life that contemporary gays can still relate to. And maybe even their straight buddies too. That disenchantment and disillusionment -- that breakdown -- is something that many audience members could relate to. I can see this collection produced for decades. It's certainly one of the finest collection of monologues written by an American playwright. This monologue collection was one of the biggest influences on my monologue writing.