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Matt Cogswell

Recommended by Matt Cogswell

  • Daddy Mack by DC Cathro
    15 Nov. 2021
    “ DC Cathro has crafted an intriguing short play that explores the often artificial relationships created by online sites and apps. Marty's love for the relationship he thought he had is heart-breaking, yet Cathro does not make a bad guy out of "Daddy Mack." So many of the tricks of the trade that allow men to hide behind a role and avoid true intimacy are well crafted in this short piece. ”
  • MISTER MARTIN: A SPECIAL ED TEACHER MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    11 Nov. 2021
    “ In the same fashion as his wonderful “No Name: An Adjunct Professor Monologue,” Asher Wyndham has once again crafted a character who faces extraordinary challenges and is overlooked for the good he brings to the people in his life. Having personally been on the bitten end of a similar scenario, his compassion for this character is appreciated. His pieces are incredible tour-de-force opportunities for actors, blending storytelling, commentary, and incredible action, all while making points about society, this time being the pitiful salaries educators, and paraprofessionals in particular, more than earn. ”
  • 38 Cookies, 39 Reasons [a monologue] by Steven G. Martin
    29 May. 2021
    “ As someone who struggles with an eating disorder, I found myself quite moved by this extended monologue. The reasons are valid and too close to home. This is a wonderful script and an excellent vehicle for an actor. ”
  • failing at a 1-page play festival by John Mabey
    9 May. 2021
    “ The absolute best commentary on Zoom plays I've heard comes from Mabey's brilliant short. The writing criteria given in the play aligns so well with the unfolding action. A fun ride. ”
  • My Life Has Been a Preparation by Larry Rinkel
    9 May. 2021
    “ "One of those" people is how the lead character is referenced, the outsider who is shamed for having interests that lie outside societal expectations of quality time. Stephen's self-diminishing language is heart-breaking and familiar, as it is hard to justify the writing life when one is not profiting off it. Rinkel shines in his monologues that deftly summarize the craft and the response (or lack thereof) that decides if the work was worth the effort. There is still a ray of hope, which is evident in other works of his I've read. This is a must-read for playwrights. ”
  • Between the Surf and the Stars (a monologue) by Scott Sickles
    9 May. 2021
    “ This is yet another gorgeous piece by Scott Sickles. The history of a relationship and the build-up of the situation two characters find themselves in are skillfully laid out to dry. (That idiom may or may not work in the context of this piece.) Sickles' use of language and his ability to create relatable characters within a short time span are incredible. ”
  • Art in Quotation Marks (A One-Minute Play) by DC Cathro
    9 May. 2021
    “ Clever bit of short theater. I can see this as part of a bigger night of Cathro's diverse work. ”
  • Exhale by Steven G. Martin
    9 May. 2021
    “ What a beautiful visual concept. In very few words, a chorus of men representing varied societal roles learn to detach from the negativity and embrace acceptance of themselves and others. ”
  • Confessions of a Character Actor by Aaron Leventman
    9 May. 2021
    “ Leventman's Confessions of a Character Actor is an interesting exploration of what it takes to make it as an actor. At the core of acting, you must be yourself in someone else's shoes, and the character actor in this short play faces that hurdle in both his career and in his relationship with his mother. Humor is skillfully incorporated throughout the play, but it is David's soulful monologue that makes this play, revealing the true creative block that is standing in the way of his reaching his full potential. ”
  • SLEEPYHEAD: A GAY MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    9 May. 2021
    “ In this tour-de-force for one actor, Asher Wyndham packs a wallop of a physical and verbal monologue that is reminiscent of those moments where a trigger can lead us down a spiral of insecurities and expectations that are inherent in the gay community, sadly. Comments on ageism, work status, and even the expectation that we all live our lives blemish free on Instagram come into play in this fast-paced piece. ”

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