Recommended by Aly Kantor

If I had to describe this short in one word, I think I'd choose "tender." There is so much melancholy context living in the negative space of this play. It's ripe with really lovely metaphors that will keep you thinking, despite the play's brief (but incredibly effective) run time. The subtlety here is really deft and lovely! Well done!

I think what makes this play so effective is just how relatable it is. How many times have you found yourself chastising technology (or saying please to a LLM)? However, an observant audience will also have a BLAST finding the theatrical easter eggs that Busser has hidden for us, offering a new surprise on nearly every page. I adore the way he amped up the pace by introducing the second always-on device. It's hilarious from beginning to end! Pro tip: unplug Alexa before reading this aloud - LOL.

Ah! Behold the magic of imagination! After decades of teaching creative writing, it figures that Fred would have the skill to whip up a wonderful tall tale on the spot, delighting audiences and his youthful coworker in tandem! I would call this piece a masterclass in writing an efficient and effective reversal at just the right moment. I LOVE a line that recontextualizes the entire play. It's a special kind of dramatic magic that is demonstrated to glorious result here! And it's hilarious, too!

Come for the bizarre mystery, stay for the emotional gut punch, which will linger long after 'end of play!' This brilliantly paced, moving short does so much with so few words. It's specific, swift, and trusts its audience. If you have two minutes, give this one a read. It will fill you with sweet sonder as you walk through the world!

This is a fantastic little revenge fantasy loaded with clever subversion that kept me fully engaged, trying to uncover the secrets of this nefarious little world before the big reveal! The characters are a blast, with a particularly gross villain who, alas, may look familiar to a lot of women! Pay particular attention to the subtle, sciency word-play, which provides clues to the observant and erudite reader! Ultimately, this silly source of catharsis is a fun and very funny treat for audiences!

Cross has resurfaced the subtextual queerness in beloved myths, winding these "threads" into something heightened, evocative, and brand new. If you don't fall in love with the language, you'll fall in love with these two well-drawn, complex women. I loved the exploration of how difficult it is to find agency in an explicitly patriarchal, amatonormative society. Plus, there is something highly theatrical about watching a meaningful, load-bearing prop crafted on stage in real time. Stunning work!

This is an eerie, thought-provoking, incredibly captivating play! From the dueling-timelines structure to the atmospheric supernatural elements, this piece never slows down and always keeps you guessing and hoping - despite the themes telegraphing where the story would go! I LOVE the clever intersection of mythology, history, and mental health, which always felt cohesive. There's plenty for designers to sink their teeth into, too. Ultimately, this is a stunningly woven, gorgeously haunting play!

What a stunning, cathartic supernatural love story, ripe with tender, subtle reversals and evocative moments that somehow felt utterly effortless... and I am not at all surprised because that's what Jennifer O'Grady does best. Even if you're not a romantic comedy fan, the characters are so rich and dynamic you'll get sucked in. I'm a huge fan of the stunning monologues throughout the piece, offering poetic insights into each character but never taking away from the play's brisk pace. Gorgeous!

A bite-sized dystopian drama (or, more accurately, horror story) that packs a major punch with a powerful, perfectly-paced reversal! This play simultaneously feels like a harrowing peek into the past...and a very real prediction for the future. What an incredibly efficient political statement that couldn't be more timely. I hate that it must exist, but I'm glad that it does.

A charming (new-to-me) folktale, full of characters so rich and delightful they quickly transcend their fairytale tropes without losing their archetypal charm...and who could guess that the embodiment of Sorrow would be my favorite character? Ripe with brilliant opportunities for stage combat and even puppetry - designers will have a field day! Plus, this story is studded with gorgeous poetry and bits of wisdom, engaging the mind as it delights the crowd. And it has a feminist message, to boot!