Recommended by Grace Everett

Martin takes a familiar trope— a group of friends’ last night together— and turns it into a refreshing celebration of male friendship and emotional vulnerability. Hearing this story told through the lens of a female writer ensures that the characters read as anything but stereotypical. Instead, they are fresh and new and honest, and a story that’s been told many times finds a new, authentic voice.

Funny, offbeat, and tense in the most lifelike way. A great short play for three strong comedic actors!

The title drew me in, and Whitehorn’s masterful writing kept me reading. Whitehorn successfully creates a world in which Clarissa's make-believe, her choice of escapism, masks reality from the audience until Clarissa herself is forced to come to terms with her situation. This makes that reveal even more gritty and painful, and allows us as audience members to view that moment through a youthful lens. Whitehorn manages to make the audience feel like small figures in a big world, a world that feels an awful lot like it did when we were young. Excellent play!

Awesome ten-minute play that shows several sides to a dying-yet-ever-growing relationship. Hilariously witty dialogue that deserves extra kudos, especially for the last couple pages.

This play gave me whiplash with how quickly it turned from adorable to heartbreaking. Carnes has such a strong command over her language and somehow manages to create a character that is undeniably human despite being a dog. This play doesn't read as corny, like some plays that include humans playing animals. It feels incredibly real. Bailey doesn't shy away from humanlike interactions with their person, and that is what makes this play shine. Carnes understands Bailey's humanlike empathy, and combining that with their pure heart creates a character that is heartwarming, lovable, and so very real.

Yet another WIN from Mr. Weaver! This play is hilarious, intriguing, and entertaining, and there's a new reason to laugh or smile on every page. Weaver is masterful with his words, and he isn't afraid to be the butt of his own jokes. In addition to its comic genius, this play is also an interesting exploration of legacies, and how little we might know about some of the people we admire most. Two thumbs up for this play!!

Funny, quirky, honest, and just strange enough to be enjoyable in the most unconventional way.

This piece is so gorgeous that it almost seems unfair. It so perfectly captures the way it feels to be forced to reevaluate yourself after a life-changing event. As always, Goodman’s motifs and choice of music bring the play to life and make it memorable.

I took a workshop from Ms. Turnage at Texas Thespian Festival 2020 and she mentioned this play, and as soon as I joined NPX this was the first one I read. That was no mistake, either-- this is such a raw and truthful script with so much underlying symbolism. As a young queer girl raised Catholic, I can testify that every ounce of religious turmoil either of the characters felt was completely real. This play is chaotic, boundary-breaking, thoughtful, and ultimately gorgeous.