Recommended by Hayley St. James

If there’s one thing in life that’s certain besides death and taxes, it’s that Matthew Weaver sure loves kissing! In this short play, he ponders what the first kiss in human history might have been like, and what events led up to it happening! “Very First Kiss” is a dialogue-less little Stone Age gem that reads like a silent film and probably plays on the stage like gangbusters. Hunter and Gatherer share so many emotions with no words, and it’s truly beautiful to see. A really fun, sweet, unique play.

A Beckett-y two hander on the paranoia that comes with the threat of nuclear annihilation, presented in delightful Andy Boyd fashion.

Hyper-theatrical, unabashedly queer, and exceptionally funny. This wise, witty, and delightful riff on the story of Pinocchio made me laugh a lot, but it’s genuinely touching, too. A truly stage-worthy piece that has many great opportunities for puppet, set, and costume design in addition to a great script.

Dave Osmundsen proves yet again that he is a master of loveable, empathetic, and deeply relatable autism representation in the theatre with this all-too-real ten-minute. This piece nails its depictions of social scripting, masking, and social awkwardness! I’m often in situations just like the one Miranda faces here, so it’s really nice to see a play tackle the occasional difficulty of the mundane in the life of a person like myself.

A meet-cute two-hander set outside a gay bar? You’ve already piqued my interest. One of the two characters is blind and their disability isn’t treated as a taboo? Extremely welcome representation. This excerpt is utterly irresistible and charming, works great as a standalone, and compels me to check out the full-length! Wonderfully done.

A modern-day, high-school-election-set Richard III riff that is wickedly clever, surprisingly moving, and inclusive to disabled actors. Anyone who gets to be in or work on this play is a lucky soul indeed. Legitimately one of my favorite plays of the decade. It’d also make a great film, I think.

The cracks in a seemingly-stable relationship pour open when an unexpected (and anxious) third party is brought into the picture for an attempted threesome. Frisky, messy, and real; superhero roleplay is ALWAYS a welcome touch.

Short. Lovely. Beautiful. It is, as the keywords state, couple goals.

Unflinching, upsetting, and unexpected. A short play that builds and builds anticipation until the straw breaks the camel’s back for both the characters in the play and whoever is reading (and someday watching.) A heart destroyer.

A feminist reimagining of the beloved story that gives Wendy, Tinkerbell, and Tiger Lily smart, feisty, and deeply necessary new voices. A marvel. I love it on the page, and ache to see it realized on stage.