Recommended by Aly Kantor

If you look into the discourse surrounding nearly any political topic, from gun violence in schools to police brutality, everything comes back around to violent video games - but do video games make young men violent, or are they merely a reflection of our world? If they're merely a form of "harmless wish fulfillment," what does that say about how men wish they could treat women? In our increasingly digital world, this short piece shines a light on what goes on in virtual spaces and how violence casually bleeds into our everyday lives. It's funny, compelling, and very effective theatre!

This holiday short is the perfect comedic vehicle for two high-octane hambones (or the kosher equivalent) over 70! It is full of laugh-out-loud, blink-and-you-miss-it zingers. As silly as it is, there is some genuine heart and emotion at the center of this little Hanukkah love story - and even the hint that another Hanukkah love story might be kindling. The dialogue is the star of the show, so even a barebones production would sing on stage. I am sure audiences would fall in love with this new Hanukkah classic!

I LOVE a seance on stage. The inherent theatricality and ritualistic nature of the process make it ripe for storytelling. This short piece is a hilarious subversion of the typical Ouija board story, with a laugh-out-loud reversal that audiences won't expect. This is such a wonderful setup, with an efficient, satisfying pay-off. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!

Oh, the unfortunate relatability of feeling so isolated and lonesome that you'd welcome the company of a ghost to talk to! This pandemic-era piece is charming, with a fun opportunity for a keen period costumer to flaunt their skill - and a keen actress to really ham it up! It's short, sweet, theatrical, and heartwarming - what more could you ask for?!

This play is confusing and disturbing... and neither is a criticism! This participatory script invites the reader to tug on plot threads and make connections. What's real, what's fiction, and when is the fiction closer to the truth than what we're seeing on stage? There is a nefarious undertone throughout, but by the end, it's hard to say what is consensual, or who really has the power in any relationship.

...Or maybe it's just a play about babysitting?

Whatever the case, this wild, often absurd sensory assault would be great fun for creatives and audiences - and spark great discussions!

When you live with anxiety - especially a pervasive form of anxiety, like intrusive thoughts - striking a balance between caution and avoidance can be really tricky. That's what makes this play such an interesting opening for introspection. What would happen if you actually did all the absurd things your brain told you to do? Could well all be living life a little more authentically? The play is funny, absurd, and entertaining, but the stakes are incredibly high, with a stark, scary tonal shift at the climax. It's ultimately uplifting, however, a likely to spark a lot of fascinating conversations!

Oh, this is a "laugh until you cry" kind of play - but, by the end, job-seekers won't be certain if they're crying because it was funny or because, though utterly absurd, it's a touch TOO relatable. I say this as someone who was asked to complete a timed mathematics assessment before interviewing for a freelance copywriting role (???). The charm of this play comes from the heightened characters, goofy dialogue, and the very straight performance from the job seeker, who lasted longer than I would have in her shoes! It's clever, irreverent, and perfect for virtual stages!

I can only imagine the magical experience of watching this play unfold as an audience member - the confusion dawning into understanding as the dialogue reveals who these characters are, the abstraction giving way to profound specificity. One of Martin's gifts is using that sublime specificity to create painfully relatable characters. This piece is incredibly theatrical while remaining simple to stage, making it an accessible piece for any ensemble. Plus, the messages it imparts about regret and transformation and perspective are impactful and absolutely necessary. What a gorgeous, efficient metaphor. What a beautiful play!

There are two incredibly strong, compelling, and specific characters at the center of this story, and their secrets and idiosyncrasies will keep you glued to every word of this intimate and compelling script. I love how the dialogue slowly, delicately reveals what these two diametrically opposed souls have in common and the ways they are obviously and irrevocably alike. The piece would be incredibly simple to produce but would certainly leave audiences talking. I especially appreciate that the script doesn't give all the secrets away, leaving you to fill in the gaps yourself. A really lovely, deeply felt piece.

I was all-in on this piece from the moment I read the first stage direction! It sets up a marvelous question that keeps the action compelling, even as the characters share a seemingly mundane conversation. Soucy wastes no time raising the stakes, leading the characters to the point of life or death so seamlessly and efficiently that it will make your head spin. Never has a heightened, dramatic situation been more simple or relatable! It's simple, quick, effective, and suspenseful - perfect for two actors eager to play with tension.