Recommended by Mike Byham

Long live the Limestone Republic! Philip Middleton Williams creates a wonderful world within our current mess with engaging characters telling a simple story of human connection. I absolutely love BENJIE - someone who is clearly still figuring out his place in our society. We should all be so lucky as to stumble into the care he receives at the hands PETE and GORDY. Quietly touching. This play will linger in your thoughts long after reading or (hopefully) seeing it performed. So well done.

I love Aly Kantor's writing. Even when she dives into silly - as she does here - she absolutely nails it, providing laughs with a heartwarming twist. The pacing of the dialogue moves things along briskly. This is going to be a festival favorite! Very enjoyable.

We can only hope that Julie Brandon's IT MUST BE A MISTAKE is a dystopian fictional warning and not premonition. Interesting and frightening. Effective.

This philosophically driven sci-fi comedy asks hefty questions surrounding the nature of humanity, the utility of religion and the future of our species. It's entertaining and thought-provoking. I love how the alternating scenes from the past inform the present. Perry gives us just enough hints to be curious of the characters' true nature without spoiling the reveal. A lot of fun to be had with this romp through time and space. Long live Eros!

Nora Lousie Syran uses her vast wealth of knowledge and lived experience to craft an engaging tale centering around the work of archeologists. This is not a story featuring the exploits of Indiana Jones - instead a more grounded telling where history and our need to preserve it clashes with modernization and moving on. This occurs not just on the geographical level - but on the personal level as well. The stakes rise with the water, building tension to the climax. I'd Love to see this staged.

Wonderful work here. Simple premise with sharply drawn characters told so well! The multiple story threads connect through a common point of contact from the past. I absolutely love Laura - we all know someone who is almost like her (but not quite). Scott is a likeable foil. Great snappy dialogue keeps the action brisk and there are so many great laugh-out-loud moments - both through dialogue and scripted action, that the play breezes through its ninety minutes. Needs to be produced!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable, suspenseful short! Compelling characters in a dystopian setting. The dialogue neatly supports the story's built-in tension, which is augmented by the suitable sounds of pending trouble. This would be great fun to see on stage and just as much fun to hear. Nice twist to finish. Brilliant!

Busser brings the funny again! This short is so much fun. Actors will have a blast - especially those who love improv games. DING! Too much fun!

Paul Donnelly tells a simple story effectively. This meet-cute during unlikely circumstances is charming. Interesting characters and a compelling beginning. I'd love to know more! Very well done.

UP ON THE ROOF is a beautiful, touching reminder that living with someone you love doesn't mean sunshine and rainbows 24 by 7. The dialogue here is sharp, intelligent and spot on. I love these people and root for them. Funny and sweet without being saccharin. Mark Harvey Levine has crafted a really great short.