Recommended by Aly Kantor

Weird harmonizes with weird. In this romantic short, the most awkward first date in history is saved when one-half of the couple logs on to their shared MMPORG server and assumes his video game persona. From there, the two are able to connect on a familiar level, easing into their physicality as they recognize how much they have in common. The characters are believably quirky, and the reversal made me grin from ear to ear! Costumers and designers will have a blast creating looks for the avatars, and audiences will be giggling throughout! Heart eyes emoji!

Initially, I was taken in by the solid and compelling fantasy world-building, which is grounded enough in our reality to paint a picture of a terrifying, monster-filled future. My own immersion in the environment drew my attention to Manny, who struggles with mindfulness during a martial training excursion. Slowly but surely, we recognize that things are not quite what they seem. The fun, thoughtful reveal is gradual enough that it doesn't feel jarring. If you're a lover of story-driven video games, this play is sure to resonate. It is a unique piece about storytelling, metaphor, and media literacy.

This absurd play could be a metaphor for many things: physical disability, neurodivergence, or even intersex conditions. While the ridiculous language is laugh-out-loud funny, the truth is that people say and believe these things about individuals in these communities (including, as in this case, the people they should be able to trust, like parents and medical professionals). Ultimately, it's a harrowing look at the ways in which our society normalizes ableism, with particular emphasis on the language and practices we use to "deal with" difference. There's also room for some REALLY fun design choices! An irreverent but important play!

I desperately wish Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend would teach a class on climate dramaturgy! I would be the first student to sign up! She has consistently proven that she comprehends the nuances and complexities of these urgent global issues. More than that, she has found so many clear, effective, and hilarious ways to communicate those complexities to contemporary audiences. This quirky, comedic piece is another winner. It'll have you laughing so hard that you don't even realize that you're thinking! It's like magic! It's easy, accessible, efficient, and clear, and the ending is a perfect, inevitable sucker punch. Bravo, as always!

This succinct little short packs a big punch, asking questions without answers: Is there such a thing as climate activism that isn't in some way performative? Can an individual be a climate hero during late capitalism? Which actions have a real impact? How do we live with the guilt of being part of the problem? While the scenario is heightened, the relationship at the center of the piece is real, specific, and grounded, with gorgeous details that help flesh out the world of the play.

YES! Emily is a character after my own heart! My dearest friends know that my catchphrase is "It's Halloween TODAY" - a daily mantra I usually begin spouting in early August. The perfect hiking weather, the perfect aesthetic! This love letter to Spooky Season was enthusiastic, nostalgic, and full of rich sensory details that transported me to my favorite time of year! I was already excited for Falloween, but now I'm positively chomping at the bit! Plus, the "Miss Congeniality" framing was *chef's kiss* A fun little monologue, perfect for any time of year!

What an innovative approach to the dialogue-free play! Given the constraints, I was fascinated by the ways the playwright found to teach us about our protagonist without using speech—everything from persistent typos to her social media behavior helped paint a picture, which came into crystal-clear focus by the end. As much as I wanted to root for Ashley and find catharsis in her actions, I found it progressively more difficult! This play also brought up questions about curated online personas and what might be going on in the real world. It's a really creative and unique piece!

I am already a huge Erin Moughon fan, and what a treat to discover such a compelling, new-to-me play! Like the content itself, this short begins with fun and games - creepy vibes and goofy overreactions - and escalates and escalates until it enters the realm of true horror! Best of all, you don't need any special effects (other than a trio of dedicated actors) to pull off the most terrifying, gut-clenching aspects of this script! When a play is both this compelling and this producible, it's certain to contribute to more genre theatre on our stages! Bravo!

Oh, wow! This play had my hackles up VERY early on, as the seemingly academic discussion about morality and revenge clarified the characters' true beliefs. Add in the inherent power imbalance, and you have a recipe for a fascinating, high-stakes (and, unfortunately, relatable) scenario that had my gut clenching! What was even more captivating was watching the dynamic shift and the character-driven reversal reveal itself bit by tiny bit. I'm obsessed with the spectacular set-up and the cathartic payoff here! This one act is a gift for audiences eager to THINK!

This play is a battle cry - a primal scream put on stage and a fascinating exploration of the way we deal with anger and identity. Do we fight with words, with bodies? Is being ourselves enough? I was fascinated by the characters' discussion about what it means to "die" as a queer person - the ways the world strips one of their identity, literally and systematically. Focusing on both the wedding and a funeral as a kind of death created a fascinating dichotomy that I'm still thinking about and will be for a long time. Intense, passionate stuff.