Recommended by Asher Wyndham

Zaffarano's The PlayMakers deserves its numerous awards. I can see this being a hit across the country at community theatres. Highly entertaining, energetic, hysterical, The PlayMakers focuses on collaboration (playmaking for a former writing duo) and relationship-building (Lisa and Sebastian were former lovers!) and creates a play-within-a-play -- really plays-within-a-play -- an unexpected meta-romantic-comedy. The theatre-of-the-mind, the actual collaborative writing process, is externalized on stage before it goes to the page, characters are revised, developed in new scenes -- and Zaffarano doesn't stop there, no: these characters are not puppets-on-strings, they react to their makers. Great work!

The best theatre is about asking difficult questions, and this short monologue doesn't shy away from asking difficult questions re: parenting. Perfect for a solo or short play festival on mothering and pregnancy.

I love this! I haven't read a lot of read wordless one-person shows, this is one of the best -- so much fun. Possibly the only wordless one-person play for TYA. A hilarious (and respectful) tribute to Samuel Beckett.

What should we accomplish in life that's of significance that would be worth remembering by those around you and after your death? What does this significance look like in respects to family? Those are some questions I asked myself during the reading.
In Hilton's perfectly orchestrated script a son-father relationship is examined in an unusual space, inside a yellow school bus. Some memorable monologues just perfect for audition. After reading this, I was impressed by the mileage Hilton covered -- some scripts are parked in the lot, going nowhere. Produce this!

A powerful monologue that creates a sense of past and place, of joy and pain. Wonderful description of road-tripping. A smart choice for any actor looking for an emotionally-complex monologue.

With its use of a Chorus, dreams, chatroom convos, gameshows, and constructed languages, Vansant's CONLANGIFIED creates a spectacle that's thoroughly theatrical.
The protagonist Eva's journey as an aspiring TV writer on a deadline, as well as her complicated relationship with sibling and potential lover is thoroughly satisfying as well - it's a complete journey from ignorance to understanding, growth.
Eva's journey makes you think about the journey we all must take navigating an American culture of different languages, situations, and people -- learning to adapt and accepting the challenge -- just dealing with it.
Highly recommended for production!!!!

Unlike most monologues which are mostly just words, storytelling, this one by Martin creates his character in the spaces between words, in silence, in awkward transition, in breath. The subject is a depressing one, but it is captivating to witness our poetess losing it, her mind and memory, with that her command of language and craft, because she shows her strength. This would be an incredible challenge for an older actress, any cut perfect for audition and just perfect for any showcase on mental health/issues.

Like with his other solo show Donna Orbits the Moon, August's Brise deals with the fragile state of a character's mind. Specifically this play examines dementia and its effects on one's body and relationship with family, friends, and a lover. This time it's a young man, not an older woman - an exceptional challenge for a young gay actor. Painful, poignant, and there's a strange beauty to this play with the sufferer -- a dancer -- struggling to remember, retain a sense of self -- there's the strength, the humanity. Produce this for your gay festival or fringe show.

Unputdownable. Riveting from the first page, Merilo's pyschological drama, masterully constructed, is violent in emotion and action, but it's also intimate and tender. Makes you think about people in your own life, maybe in your own family that are just like Declan, not as damaged as him, but wounded psychologically in some way, and how we relate to them. A great challenge for a young actress to show an arc from vulnerability to strength. Highly recommended for production for colleges and professional theatres. Read this play, share it, tweet it, connect with Merilo.

Wow. Another stellar faith-based, religious-themed monologue from Weaver. This time a solo for Madonna with Child which would make a powerful, uplifting illustration for a sermon in a place of worship or any showcase on women of history/literature or faith. This play makes you forget about those iconic paintings of calm and happy Madonna and Child and reminds you this woman was kind of like a regular young mother, God didn't gift her a screamless baby because he chose her. For believers, this play is a gift, a reminder, esp during December- thank you Weaver.