Recommended by Mike Byham

Brenton Kneiss put together an interesting short exercising the classic time-loop trap. Nick’s pain is evident in his dealings with his brother and ex- girlfriend. This promising short could be crafted into a nice fuller one-act. Great premise and execution.

In THE DATING GAME, Dennis Bailey crafts a melancholy short story of two friends coming to grips with aging and its impact on their desire for female companionship. At some point, coffee and cribbage is enough. Nice work.

FALLING OFF THE EDGE by Paul Donnelly is a sweet story of self-discovery that doesn't end predictably but ends in a satisfying manner nonetheless. This is not your typical third wheel rom-com. The relationship between the friends is beautifully crafted and believable. There is plenty of hurt and heart exposed by each of the three characters as they journey through a new chapter in each of their lives. Would love to see this staged. For an interesting backstory link, be sure to read Paul's CUPID AGONISTES. Well done!

I was enticed to read Paul Donnelly's CUPID AGONISTES as I am a Pittsburgh native, Pirates' fan and a big admirer of WIllie Stargell - whose bat plays an outsized role in the proceedings of this play. I wasn't ready for the emotional roller-coaster ride to the abyss, but I was enthralled throughout. Several dark turns lead to the inevitable conclusion - unfortunately for our self-absorbed protagonist. A great read!

LOL - I love dark and funny! John Busser cleverly allows room for visual sight gags to accompany the wonderfully witty monologue. Really enjoyed this one!

John Busser crafts a fun short in BIG DATE. This would be a blast to see staged with plenty of visual humor to go along with the giant-sized dad jokes being thrown about like rice at a wedding. I can see this concept and storyline being made into a full-production musical to great effect! Well done!

Chris - what a good time (yes Chris - just read it)! Although the former altar boy in me should be bothered, there's just too much silly fun to worry about blasphemy. I started laughing at the outset and it just kept getting funnier. Cheech and Chong meets Mel Brooks meets Monty Python. Brilliant!

This is a short play that produces an outsized emotional impact. A familiar setting, but under uncomfortable circumstances thanks to the secret of Tate's life situation. Jaxson Mackling has crafted a two-hander in VOYAGE TO NOWHERE that excels in telling a larger story than inferred by the number of pages. Well done!

I'll never see or hear Bette Midler again without conjuring up the mental image of her on a roof throwing shoes at police. John Busser brings the funny in a totally off-beat short that I would absolutely love to see staged! Well done!

A combination of classic drawing-room comedy and British farce, Rachel Feeny-Williams crafts a very funny piece in FRAGILE MINDS that is fueled by the circumstances only family disfunction can provide. The play leads you through some interesting family dynamics down a long and winding road exploring what it means to love and be loved by nuclear family - as well as those you choose to include. A few twists and turns bring us to a satisfying conclusion where happiness is based on building honest and open relationships. This sweet play has something for everyone. Well done!