Recommended by John Mabey

From the opening stage directions of DARK TWIST, Philip Middleton Williams transports you to a prep school world that feels incredibly real and textured. The memories that the characters both share and suppress are woven into the setting itself, with dilapidated desks and classrooms becoming metaphors for all the trauma within. Navigating through the lives of these dynamic characters is fascinating and the revelations about bullying and abuse are explored with such great perspective through different lenses of sexuality and status.

This is such an exquisite short play. Claudia Haas crafted a world of possibilities in WISH YOU WERE HERE for both the characters as well as the audience. It's challenging to make Paris even more romantic, but the writing here greatly succeeds by adding dimension and depth to the location where street lamps become a character themselves. Such a delight to read and exciting to envision a production on stage as well.

This is such a wonderful short play for two actresses to explore all the nuances of a mother-daughter relationship. Christine Foster writes comedy with such great attention to detail, and the personalities of both women collide in such surprising ways. MANY HAPPIER RETURNS also delights in its use of language to explore their differing worldviews while also providing a focused understanding of how they ultimately connect.

Vivian Lermond writes such vivid and exciting monologues. And in CONTES DU CAMP CANADIEN she's given so much flavor and realism to a vast Canadian environment that you'll swear you've visited, too!

Emma Goldman-Sherman has written such a powerful monologue in PRETTY QUEER. This piece gripped me from the start, particularly with its urgent and multidimensional exploration of sexuality and identity. As the character of Margaret navigates her own sexuality, she also negotiates her roles as wife and lover in situations that both threaten and support her needs. A phenomenal monologue for an actress to perform with its intimate exploration of gaslighting and questioning assumptions in relationships.

In A MOMENT OF CLARITY, there are so many beautiful moments and bittersweet recollections that its hard to believe the play is only 10 minutes. Philip Middleton Williams created a universe of memories between father and son with revelations that make their relationship so dynamic and meaningful. This play is a delight for actors and a director to interpret the moments that shine so brightly on the page.

In IT'S ALL ABOUT ME, Andrew Martineau writes with a deft hand about the struggle to regain one's identity. And woven within are insights about marriage, connection, and expressing the things that feel so buried within. A wonderfully complex monologue for an actress to explore and audiences to enjoy.

Hayley St. James understands the inner monologues of characters so well, and in PEP TALK they deliver such a strong verbal monologue that combines all the nuance and emotional complexity we've all felt in quarantine. And at the core are such relatable desires to be touched and to be seen that transcend any one period in our time. Well done!

I had the absolute joy of watching this play in a 1-minute festival, and THE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN stood out for it's hilarious premise, clever writing, and perfect timing. Also a great cautionary tale of staying your authentic self, even at a cocktail party.

Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend writes with such humor and heart, and in THE BALLAD OF LESLIE, we're taken on a surreal journey that feels incredibly relatable. As the character of Leslie deals with disappointment and frustration, a Greek chorus arrives in the form of a well-intentioned but hilarious character named Jordan. And the dynamic between these two is so engaging and interesting that you won't want the play to end.