Recommended by John Mabey

There's a wonderful playfulness to Steven G. Martin's work and this monologue physicalizes beautifully the art of 'showing' as well as 'telling.' So often we reveal ourselves in what we say, but what we actually do (and in this case, how we respond) is just as telling.

The imagery of water, rowboats, desire, and ambition all combine in ELLIDA, a powerful monologue from Nora Louise Syran. There's an romanticism throughout that compliments so well her drive to succeed in an unforgiving environment. A wonderful blend of active, forward-moving activity with emotional reflection on what sailing truly means in this moment.

The balance between nature and humanity is often precarious. And with the personification of trees in TREE HUGS, we discover a relationship with nature that seems to transcend time itself with comedic and poignant implications for everyone involved. Well done!

Dusty cliffs and dinosaur bones make for an exciting and poignant play, especially in the hands of Claudia Haas. In ALMOST MARY, Haas introduces us to real-life fossil hunter Mary Anning. A pioneering palaeontologist, we meet her here as a child and explore the ways in which an excavation of her own life influences her later career. With the incorporation of song and a chorus, this play offers so many amazingly creative opportunities for production as well.

I knew I had to read this play as soon as I read the description. Christine Foster writes characters with an incredible amount of life and realism, especially when the story itself is mysterious and enigmatic. In COME FIND ME, we meet two women who are complex in their attitudes and relationship, each wanting something from the other that is slowly revealed in exciting and thrilling ways. With the addition of dialogue that sometimes reads like poetry, this is a play sure to captivate from start to finish.

In THE RULE OF THREE, Debbie Lamedman begins with a very funny and relatable premise that slowly takes a deliciously darker but comedic turn. The dialogue is fast and sharp with staging opportunities that would be a delight for directors and production teams. Great not just for Halloween but any time of year when a little witchy wisdom is in order.

This play holds an especially special place in our current times of reconnecting with the world and each other. As mother and daughter spend Mother's Day together, we learn so much about not only their histories but their changing connection to each other. John Minigan has an incredible way of finding the unique relationships between objects, people, and places and in MOTHER'S DAY he brings together these elements for an entertaining and deeply symbolic play.

Every moment in this taut drama is earned as Christine Foster takes us through a relationship with many levels between mother and daughter. In COME AWAY, Christine uses both an experimental approach and grounded dialogue to explore the choices that we make and ways of saying goodbye. The addition of fairytales heightens the tension as well and allows us to consider whose truth to follow.

In PUZZLE PIECE, Ken Preuss has crafted such a special play about love and romance but most importantly about connection. In the metaphor about puzzle pieces, the two couples on stage discover what fits and what doesn't in their relationships. And in a beautifully experimental way, Ken centers the idea of a missing piece into such a surprising and satisfying ending.

There are certain plays that captivate you from start to finish, and SUGAR by Jennifer O'Grady will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is a deep sense of urgency as two women speak through a door, the stakes incredibly high, and every moment is precious. Jennifer writes both characters with profound understanding and elevates the subtext of their conversation with coded language and insight. A brave and powerful piece that deserved to be staged again and again.