Recommended by Joe Swenson

  • Joe Swenson: Afterall (or The Wonderwall Play) (One-Act Version)

    What a trip! The great thing about this unique and riveting show is the timing of when the twist is revealed. The second you suspect the nature of the twist, Cole immediately confirms it. That’s the style of this show though. From the beginning it’s in your face reality versus fiction as you find yourself justifying what seem like mistakes but are actually intentional clues to the twist! Amazing work.

    What a trip! The great thing about this unique and riveting show is the timing of when the twist is revealed. The second you suspect the nature of the twist, Cole immediately confirms it. That’s the style of this show though. From the beginning it’s in your face reality versus fiction as you find yourself justifying what seem like mistakes but are actually intentional clues to the twist! Amazing work.

  • Joe Swenson: OUR FAKE HISTORY

    What a brilliantly thought-out concept. From the stereotypically labeled students to the grandeur of enlightening students through multiple classes throughout the day, the manipulation of history is drawn out in a fun and engaging way. Through poetry, monologues, songs, and dialogue. Sparking wonderful debates about school politics and the metaphorical relations to our political world creates a cacophony of competing tension filled moments. I could go on and on, but instead, everyone should read this, I want to see it on stage. Nora walks away with a prophetic demand! You have to read it...

    What a brilliantly thought-out concept. From the stereotypically labeled students to the grandeur of enlightening students through multiple classes throughout the day, the manipulation of history is drawn out in a fun and engaging way. Through poetry, monologues, songs, and dialogue. Sparking wonderful debates about school politics and the metaphorical relations to our political world creates a cacophony of competing tension filled moments. I could go on and on, but instead, everyone should read this, I want to see it on stage. Nora walks away with a prophetic demand! You have to read it though, it is certainly wise!

  • Joe Swenson: Believe Me - V3

    Wow. This is an incredible tension driven show. A supreme mystery. The tension throughout was palpable. I couldn't stop reading. I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know. All of it. At no point in this amazing show do you feel confident in the innocence of anyone (Except Williams). Rachel Feeny-Williams though also puts everyone in the crosshairs of being a victim or a potential victim (Except Jenkins). I can't even imagine this as an eleven-page script. Not only do I want to see this, I want to direct this, maybe even film it. Wow!

    Wow. This is an incredible tension driven show. A supreme mystery. The tension throughout was palpable. I couldn't stop reading. I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know. All of it. At no point in this amazing show do you feel confident in the innocence of anyone (Except Williams). Rachel Feeny-Williams though also puts everyone in the crosshairs of being a victim or a potential victim (Except Jenkins). I can't even imagine this as an eleven-page script. Not only do I want to see this, I want to direct this, maybe even film it. Wow!

  • Joe Swenson: Silent Vows

    The genius of Christopher Plumridge strikes again in this well conceived, beautiful play. He has managed to fully develop two characters that do not require dialogue to speak. It's comedic, it's touching, it's refreshing, and it's romantic. It's truly and remarkably beautiful. Christopher has outdone himself with this triumph. In fact, I read it twice just to ensure that I was able to soak in all of the imagery that Christopher provides through stage directions. Bravo!

    The genius of Christopher Plumridge strikes again in this well conceived, beautiful play. He has managed to fully develop two characters that do not require dialogue to speak. It's comedic, it's touching, it's refreshing, and it's romantic. It's truly and remarkably beautiful. Christopher has outdone himself with this triumph. In fact, I read it twice just to ensure that I was able to soak in all of the imagery that Christopher provides through stage directions. Bravo!

  • Joe Swenson: Chai

    A fantastic play from beginning to end. From the opening few pages, DC Cathro establishes a want in the audience (A new name), but then gives a master class on anticipation/tension, ripple effect, raw emotion, etc. I had a lot of favorite moments in this show, but the one that stood out above the rest (I don't want to ruin it) is the conundrum presented in motivations for naming a child vs. the child's perspective. It's genius. It's metaphorical. In the end it's a beautiful story with a wonderful EPILOGUE full of anticipation and an appropriate ending.

    A fantastic play from beginning to end. From the opening few pages, DC Cathro establishes a want in the audience (A new name), but then gives a master class on anticipation/tension, ripple effect, raw emotion, etc. I had a lot of favorite moments in this show, but the one that stood out above the rest (I don't want to ruin it) is the conundrum presented in motivations for naming a child vs. the child's perspective. It's genius. It's metaphorical. In the end it's a beautiful story with a wonderful EPILOGUE full of anticipation and an appropriate ending.

  • Joe Swenson: The Resurrectionists

    The brilliance of this short play is in the dialogue that Bob creates through the characters rationalization of their soon-to-be change in occupation. The development of the two main characters is incredible in such a short piece and you find yourself rooting for them despite what their next actions are going to be. I've read this play a few times and each time I find new places to laugh and cringe. Excellent work!

    The brilliance of this short play is in the dialogue that Bob creates through the characters rationalization of their soon-to-be change in occupation. The development of the two main characters is incredible in such a short piece and you find yourself rooting for them despite what their next actions are going to be. I've read this play a few times and each time I find new places to laugh and cringe. Excellent work!

  • Joe Swenson: The Baddest Kid on Emerson

    What a fantastic read! The speed of the dialogue coupled with the over amplified perception of two teenagers regarding the legend they are about to meet. The dialogue image fits the characters so well. Steven pushes these characters so hard that its uncomfortable and full of tension. The dialogue is so strong and so convincing that you have no choice but to read it and say it as intended and that adds more tension to an already tense situation. Incredible work Steve!

    What a fantastic read! The speed of the dialogue coupled with the over amplified perception of two teenagers regarding the legend they are about to meet. The dialogue image fits the characters so well. Steven pushes these characters so hard that its uncomfortable and full of tension. The dialogue is so strong and so convincing that you have no choice but to read it and say it as intended and that adds more tension to an already tense situation. Incredible work Steve!

  • Joe Swenson: Abandonment [a 1-minute play]

    From the moment you start reading this, you realize that there is a lot at stake. Steven does a wonderful job of infusing confusion into the human element. In a relatively short period of time, Steven takes you on a journey of Godliness into abandonment and gives Hugh a layered complexity that you rarely see in 1 minute pieces. Outstanding job!

    From the moment you start reading this, you realize that there is a lot at stake. Steven does a wonderful job of infusing confusion into the human element. In a relatively short period of time, Steven takes you on a journey of Godliness into abandonment and gives Hugh a layered complexity that you rarely see in 1 minute pieces. Outstanding job!

  • Joe Swenson: A Most Unexpected Expected

    Wow! What a ride. I didn’t know what to expect and while much of the first act felt familiar as a Marine Corps veteran, it was the second act that was unexpected. Tom does an incredible keeping and holding the tension surrounding the voting process in 2nd Act. I couldn’t stop reading. As an actor this would be a lot of fun, especially with Andy’s monologue towards the end. This is a must read/see and a hopeful view amid the forced outing of Andy. Outstanding work!

    Wow! What a ride. I didn’t know what to expect and while much of the first act felt familiar as a Marine Corps veteran, it was the second act that was unexpected. Tom does an incredible keeping and holding the tension surrounding the voting process in 2nd Act. I couldn’t stop reading. As an actor this would be a lot of fun, especially with Andy’s monologue towards the end. This is a must read/see and a hopeful view amid the forced outing of Andy. Outstanding work!

  • Joe Swenson: A BUMP IN THE NIGHT ( a 10 minute mystery)

    What a fun ride this short play is. The best part about it, is you don't know if you are getting the full story at any point in the play which adds to the tension. In short plays it's hard to fully develop your characters, but Marj does an amazing job of creating two very distinguishable characters and building up the 3rd supporting character as the play progresses. Then there's the house and the ambiguity that lies within. Highly recommend this piece of art.

    What a fun ride this short play is. The best part about it, is you don't know if you are getting the full story at any point in the play which adds to the tension. In short plays it's hard to fully develop your characters, but Marj does an amazing job of creating two very distinguishable characters and building up the 3rd supporting character as the play progresses. Then there's the house and the ambiguity that lies within. Highly recommend this piece of art.