Recommended by John Busser

The burden of proof has never been so frustratingly portrayed as in this short piece by Kel Vance. A woman fearing sexual assault learns things aren't so cut-and-dried in today's environment when motivation, intent and even the presence of a weapon aren't enough for the police. Kel takes no sides here and he does right by showing that most accounts don't take place in a black and white world. The truth is a bit murkier. We want to take her side, considering how the suspect is portrayed, but the law works differently. Much food for thought here.

Wow Morey, well done! I loved having one of these fearful morons get their comeuppance, but in a way that isn't violent or revenge-filled. The idea that someone would step up to the plate as an actual replacement is hilarious on the face of it, but the way in which it was executed was so appropriate. Sylvia basically gave Cliff what he wanted, the proof of his words, just not in the way he wanted it. And having the next generation actually step up to ask their own questions was heartening. If only it could always go this way.

Wow, that was a DARKLY funny short piece by Deb Cole that really does bring home the fact that the ties that bind can draw uncomfortably tight. Helen looks like she's ramping up, and at 70+ she's had a lot of time to work up some speed. Claire's in for a wild family ride if this 5 minutes is any indication.

Oof, that was tough to think about. Lindsay Partain pens a particularly rough thing to think about, an active shooter around kids, and couches it in an even more horrific scenario; a children's game. It's horrific because kids are being trained to think about this, have to be subjected to this, and have become accepting in their reaction. This is the new norm. A lot to think about in a one minute play.

Well the worm HAS turned (you have to read the script to know what I mean). A clever bit of selling yourself (along with other things) by Nedra Pezold Roberts has an intriguing premise, likable characters, a a very smart woman who knows how to hold off a man, and then offer him a job in the same conversation. This was a fun read and would work well as a workplace (or bar place) comedy of the sexes.

I loved the slow reveal of who Dave's step-dad is and why he has the issues he does. Clever writing by Dana Hall brings the laughs and the horror (okay, it's a last page horror, but still...) entertains along the way. I wish all therapy plays were this entertaining. Would LOVE to see how Lovecraft's creation would be realized onstage.

See, THIS play is why I love Evan Baughfman's writing. The concept alone makes me envious of him. Who thinks this way? Only Evan does. With clever dialogue and hitting ALL the tropes that these characters possess, this play is a damned hoot and a half. And I can't wait to see it staged.

Is this a comedy on an actual infomercial? You be the judge! Hilarious and funny as an 8 dollar bill (which are 4 times funnier than a 2 dollar bill), Zach Wobensmith brings us the future of "criminal justice". My favorite line? "OR DID HE?" (believe me, you'll laugh out loud too)

Pity the poor sound engineer who would have to modulate the screams from our heroine in this darkly funny piece from Chris Plumridge. Working as both a radio play (so much comic potential, and volume control alacrity) and a stage play (we get to SEE the robber's frustration), this is a clever and entertaining crime caper.

I loved this imagining of "how it really happened" and so wish that it DID happen this way. History is full of very strange occurrences and this would fit in there nicely. Keep 'em coming Dave.