Recommended by Nora Louise Syran

Lovely use of pathetic fallacy in this short play. "...cold to the point that the air feels like it’s turning to ice inside of you and leaves you carved out and empty" But Karuc leaves you feeling anything but by the end. I love the Morana myth in a modern context and the sense of hope and renewal in the landscape.

Hubris. Tension. A dystopian future that feels very much like the present. You feel like a fly on the wall for this one: watching helplessly as everything unfolds, unable to stop what becomes the inevitable from happening.

Though set in the early 19th century, the twisted logic and dark humor of Mister Crump and Mister Burns reminded me somewhat of Hamlet's gravediggers but they're iconic fellows all on their own. A good read.

I found this monologue particularly appealing especially in the wake of a certain well known 82 year old actor playing Hamlet this past summer. The funny references to a play we know so well only faintly cover the pain of putting oneself out there time after time. Effortlessly poignant. Indeed, "the expectation and longing is very tiring."

A lovely piece about two individuals connecting and caring about one another. Loved the seemingly effortless precision with which these two characters were constructed in this short play and the calm feeling I felt upon its conclusion. Well done.

A clever nod to Hans Christian's Andersen's classic "The Little Mermaid." In a few short pages, Kantor brings life to a strong-willed young poet who chooses real light over darkness; the darkness in this case is more than the cellar in which she takes refuge. Hiding our light just might be the greatest of dangers. Sensitive, strong. A lovely one act.

A fun fast-paced romp! Love the premise. Writers know very well how characters tend to take over with sometimes hilarious and sometimes disastrous results! This short play achieves both. No "long, play, thingy" here!

Wow! Totally not what I expected when I read the title, which is a good thing. While for a Norwegian, Vinterlys brings such a sense of warmth and yes, angelic comfort, this play brings anything but. The soft comfort of winter light is eaten up...to say more would spoil it! A quick-paced read which leaves more questions than gives answers but that's the fun!

Martin captures the universality of suffering and the struggle to call for help just brilliantly in this short one minute near-tableau of torment where words just do not suffice except to office solace. The ending line rhythmically rocks us into the peace of knowing we're ultimately not alone. Well done.

A timely, haunting piece. I enjoyed wondering when and where the threads of each story would weave themselves together. And they do, beautifully. "Words that bite" indeed.