Recommended by Matthew Moore

This take on La Ronde leans heavily into intimate conversations as opposed to prurient ones, and in doing so, there's lots of potential for actors to show what they can do, especially in the opening scene, which offers a look at two older people trying to navigate dating and relationships. An excellent candidate for community theater and scene study classes.

A beautiful and evocative New England ghost story wrapped up in a love story--as all the best ghost stories are. The potential for directors and designers is high, and the language is sweeping and reminiscent of Hawthorne and Irving. A world that seems similar to ours and yet each element is off just enough to make you lean in and try to get a better look.

One of the funniest ten-minute plays I've read on here. Brilliant!

An eerie and surprisingly tender look at kindness between two strangers targeted by a force that could be otherworldly or simply very much of this world.

An innovative and urgent play that melds Kafka and technology in a way that not only makes sense, but seems unavoidable. The amount of detail in each line and the juxtaposition make "The Fate of the Online Cow" the perfect play for this moment. A remarkable achievement.

When the Walker appears in this one-act play, it feels as though a fire is lit underneath the text and we're catapulted through to the horrifying end. The main strength of the play isn't its genre, but what lies underneath the dialogue and action. Downes isn't afraid to go places other playwrights wouldn't, and that fearlessness helps create a memorable read.

I think the strongest parts of this play are when the characters are talking about banal things. Menial things. The shorter line structure seems to work for them, and maybe it's because it keeps placing it back in the homage territory (assuming you want audiences to have Godot in mind when they watch it). I think when the characters start to grapple with bigger issues, they seem to want to say more, and I wonder what would happen if you experimented with having them speak less in those moments.

It's sadly hard to find plays that grapple with the healthcare system with this kind of clarity and respect for its characters. Their determination to live (and then die) with dignity is made all the more potent with Doherty's sensible use of language and the inner passions she locks within her protagonist. A true American play that doesn't pull any punches or lack any heart.

"Little Flashes" features poignant and resonating dialogue that lingers on after each scene has finished. A one-act that creates the emotional impact of a full-length, this would be a great play for a festival, but could also serve as an opportunity for scene study, particularly between the two sisters.

A mixture of Albee and Ionesco, "Cliff Palace" seems to start out straightforward enough before transforming into a delightful one-act farce that sends up class and etiquette with panache. The perfect selection for a one-act festival with terrific roles for actors, particularly the role of Erica.