Recommended by Matthew Moore

A reflection on the creative process that borrows cleverly from "The Seventh Seal" and Dante. Lindsay injects just enough allegory to give the piece a general ease that would work well in production.

A fascinating concept makes for a swift read and what I imagine would be a perfect evening of October theater. I think the narration is particularly strong, which is saying something, because I normally detest when plays have narrators. The lyricism in the language really shines, and I love the construction for alternate endings.

A play that turns the fantasy genre on its head. A simple skill (is it a skill?) becomes a way to bring a family back together in this beautiful play about adolescence. Perfect for fans of Marvel or audiences who like to marvel at great writing.

A play about the illusion of choice that uses Hemingway's story as a jumping off point that leads to a piece of writing that is both elegant and violent in the truth it confronts. Whenever you begin to believe that you understand the message of Leah Roth Barsanti's play, something shifts--time, memory, or loyalty. Some plays try to put everything into words and some plays let the silence do the talking. "Elephant" says so much while still leaving enough room for us to dream up another ending.

The moment you enter the lives of the three characters in Gill's play, you feel as though you're sitting across the room from them watching as their evening plays out. There are bursts of cruelty, bias, tenderness, and comfort, but all of it feels lived in and intimate. A wonderful example of how a one-act play can expansive and profound.

There's a moment in "New Oleanna" where the male student points out to his female professor that, in her office, she holds the power. While every reader and audience member can only bring their own experience to the text, the play feels like a condemnation of the current state of college power structures, particularly in theater departments. "New Oleanna" asks if there are different kinds of power, and what happens when mantras like "Intention doesn't matter" replace listening and empathy.

A remarkable imagining of young Faulkner at a vital moment of his life. The play feels like what the best of American theater has to offer--the consequences of generational trauma between fathers and sons, the pull of capitalism against creativity, and man's oppression of nature. A gripping and defiant work.

A searing and intelligent look at a time that would appear to have been looked at before, but with a unique perspective that offers a much more insightful look. I love Rosendorf's attention to detail when it comes to the inner lives of his characters. It offers an opportunity to actors and artists that I think few plays do.

The play is profoundly brave and unyielding when it comes to never shying away from the darkest depths of isolation, manipulation, and abuse. Wirsansky should be commended for willing to bear the most intense struggles of a character while still striving to maintain their humanity.

A witty look at the topic that offers insight without feeling preachy. Worth including in any One Act Festival.