Recommended by Aly Kantor

The efficiency of these plays is masterful! However, I'd like to measure their success by the number of times they made me smile...aka A LOT! I loved this ensemble cast, full of wonderfully messy people, and the diversity of bodies and stories to be found here. Even though things are going wrong from the first moment of the play (and the chaos doesn't stop there), I was left with such a deep feeling of contentment, because somehow, magically, all of the right characters end up happy! A delight!

Every page of this play made me feel seen as a woman who lost my community to hobbies with toxic cultures. Still, I felt every line of this evocative play in my body. Bethany's characters and theatrical world are vivid and specific yet uncannily familiar. The pacing is fantastic, and the climax made my BLOOD BOIL! Full of astute observations about power and geek mentality, the piece makes you question who is entitled to safety in "safe spaces." For me, the conclusion felt genuinely healing.

I read this entire play with a massive smile on my face, and it grew bigger and bigger until we reached the dramatic conclusion! I live for this kind of no-holds-barred comedy that goes from zero to ridiculous with no shame! It jumps back and forth from genre to genre through dialogue style alone, which is impressive... and key to so many of the well-earned guffaws throughout this script! I thought the giant lobster was going to be my favorite part, but the appearance of the guitar slayed me!

There is such a tangible sense of tension throughout this play, coming from almost every direction imaginable—romantic, sexual, professional, ethical! Structurally, I loved how the temperature of each act matched the season in which it took place, taking us on a cyclical, satisfying journey from new beginnings to growth and change. Marc holds his own as a strong, specific protagonist in a world of "bad drivers," but I so appreciated the hopeful ending and the promise of a brighter, wiser future!

A clever inanimate item play loaded with plenty of board game puns, costume-based physical comedy, and chuckle-worthy lines! Character actors will love this script, ripe with so many over the top, no-holds-barred moments of pure silliness! I am shocked about how invested I got in a silly game, but somehow the (admittedly non-existent) stakes feel high by the final page! A costume designer is going to have a blast with this one some day!

The premise of this play is so brilliant, I am furious that I didn't think of it myself, which is the best compliment I can give! But luckily, the execution is also phenomenal, with two well-drawn and specific characters who drew me in instantly. It's fast-moving, with natural, buoyant dialogue that's smart but still easy on the ear. Plus, it made me cry - and I cry more easily at joy than at pain, so you know this play is special. The metaphor here is so perfect. This is a new favorite of mine!

Even (and especially) when AI is at its weirdest and most misguided, it can be helpful to remember that it's trained by humans, on human data. That's why this play felt uniquely human—the acknowledgment that we will always yearn for things intangible, like trust, or gestures beyond those necessary for pure survival, like hugs. I think that's why I love the brilliant reversal that this play hinges upon, leaving the audience to decide if this story matters to them. Smart, spare, and timely work!

A line that immediately stood out to me in this play: "I'm not allowed stories like that." And that is what makes this play so crucial! It blends historical truth and supernatural elements in a way that enlightens as it educates. I love how this play is deeply entrenched in the time period in which it's set, with a layer of historic specificity that makes it feel lived-in and authentic. There are cool opportunities for theatricality, too, from musical transitions to ominous voices.

There is such interesting symmetry to this play! I love how the narrative splits down the middle. It's like an expressionist piece that slowly transforms into a family drama, with ghost story elements, too! The theatrical element that most stood out to me is the way in which the characters are doubled in such a mindful, intelligent, and thought-provoking way. More importantly, this play puts a very human face on the issue of immigration during an incredibly sensitive political moment.

In this comedic short, an ordinary, if incredibly awkward, first date turns into much more, with a fantastically sweet reversal that had me giggling! It left me asking, "Is technology getting better, or are people just getting more disconnected and awkward?" While certainly silly, there are much deeper things to contemplate built into the subtext of this uncanny theatrical world! This would be simple to stage at festivals, with the potential for as much or as little sci-fi flair as desired! Fun!