Recommended by Aly Kantor

A well-timed arrival during a sudden moment of ambivalence is enough to change the course of a teenager's life in this tender two-hander. These quirky, distinct characters are in control of this story from page one. This play perfectly captures the angst of being a teenage girl caught up in intense adolescent relationships. Still, the friendship at the center of this story evolved so sweetly and organically that I was sad when the play was over! I believe that there are a lot of kids who could benefit from seeing these gorgeous words embodied. It is lovely, cohesive, and kind.

I love a Zoom play that makes clever use of the technology, and this short-lived reunion between two star-crossed lovers on different worlds is a fantastic virtual play. Both characters are highly motivated and distinct, and though they are connecting from a future we don't inhabit, their feelings are clear and contemporary. The moment when I realized what "the globe was" everything clicked. There is something both melancholy and hopeful about this imagined future. I don't know anyone who won't be able to relate to what is, at its core, a very simple tale of unrequited love.

Who doesn't love smart, nerdy young women who are 1. allowed to be sexual beings and, 2. about to exact revenge on a jerk!? This play is full of emotionally-fueled, authentic dialogue that speaks to the experience of being a woman in today's weird, half-virtual dating pool. Best of all, at the core of this story is sisterhood and female friendship - without nastiness or competition. These are the kinds of roles that girls want to play - and the kind of roles they deserve! This short is full of laugh-out-loud lines that lead us to a satisfying conclusion! Wonderful!

Lately, I've been fascinated by the relationship between love and belief, and this play is such a unique exploration of this idea! This is a beautifully written, character-driven short that is simultaneously subtle and sublime. It is specific to this moment in history, yet uniquely universal. All of the details about MUFON added a satisfying amount of specificity that made the world of the play even more vivid and dimensional. The transformation we observe in both characters from the beginning to the end of the piece is incredibly natural. This is a relatable, emotional, funny, nerdy, socially distanced play!

Who knew that a play that started out so goofy would literally SHATTER MY HEART? I suppose I could have guessed, based on the title! Whatever the case, this is a silly, keenly funny play in which the scenario is simple but the stakes are unbearably high! The banter between the characters at the center of this star-crossed meet-cute is hilarious and natural. I can imagine an audience squirming in their seats as the play goes on and the kisses pile up! Though the ending is dark, this would fit right in as part of a Valentine's Day showcase!

You can absolutely tell that this absurd play was written by someone who loves language! So much of the absurdity in this piece is only absurd because we've all heard it before - but when it's all contained in one ten-minute performance, it almost becomes a kind of poetry?! I love how Carnes doesn't let the audience off the hook here, either! The reader gets to imagine the unseen and unheard, which makes the piece extra engaging. I promise that this is the most fun that you will have at a staff meeting!

This is a gorgeously specific slice-of-life play with characters that feel so human you'll be convinced that you know them. The play explores the relationship between two former partners as they slowly reveal the reason why they're no longer together. There is something very honest about the exchange - like a conversation you might really overhear in a theatre lobby. The action in the piece does as much work as the dialogue, which allows a lot to be revealed in just a few short pages. I think actors would really enjoy dreaming up backstories and bringing these characters to life!

When a missing ingredient interrupts a coven's revenge plot, the witches get into a tiff - and it's hilarious! These three characters have distinct voices and a wonderful dynamic. The fast-paced, incredibly funny dialogue would be a treat for three performers with excellent timing and rapport! It is loaded with little references, so audience members will be engaged throughout. This would be a great addition to a spooky showcase - or any ten-minute play festival!

Does human life matter and, if not, why does the reader feel so compelled to root for the characters at the center of this deceptively complex short play? At its heart, this two-hander is a beautiful, subtle meditation on both love and scale. While one character acts desperately out of compassion, the other muses aloud about the bigger picture. So much is said in the negative space that this play demands to be embodied. Neither character says "I love you." Neither character has to. What a lovely, humanity-filled little piece!

Every conflict begins with belief. Even though this play transports us to a well-drawn, original fantasy world, the same holds true here - all of the action in this imaginative play springs from relationships and firmly-held perspectives. It's almost easier to grapple with human questions in this vivid alien environment! As a result, we're treated to a story where the rules are foreign but the stakes are consistently high. This atmospheric piece is studded with moments of tense swordplay that would be a dream for the right fight choreographer. If you love fantasy, you will adore this bloody, engaging play!