Recommended by Sam Heyman

Even with its uncanny elements, Samantha Vargas’ “The Pretender” is a touching and evocative short that speaks to the strange horror of grappling with loss. The presence of Pretenders provides both a compelling metaphor and a fascinating bit of world building. We are not alone in the universe, or our grief.

In Revival, Philip Middleton Williams weaves a compelling tale about two estranged creative partners and their well-intentioned agent coming together to rekindle a spark that was lost years ago. Williams explores the obstacles in the path of creative and personal growth, and the challenge of beginning again, long after believing you have nothing left to say. Playwrights will appreciate these characters journeys, and audience will adore Williams’ wit, humor and insight. Truly excellent.

What do you do when the world is ending? Mike Byham’s The Well posits, “You go and find the person you most want to be with in the world, and you build a life with them.” With what little time they have left, Gary and Sam imagine the life they could have had, and maybe could still have, in some other universe. This is an exquisite, sweet, and heartbreaking romance that still finds its way back around to hope. An excellent one act.

A long lasting relationship must be built on trust and honesty -- but passion is an important component as well. Brynn Hambley dramatizes a deeply human moment between two friends on their way to becoming something more, all while approaching the situation with honesty and humanity. An excellent short.

We love a play about seasoned service industry professionals! NOW BOARDING is an absolutely lovely play from Deb Cole that will be a treat for audiences and actors alike, providing opportunities and giving voice to experiences that become increasingly common as we age and as time progresses. You will be moved!

I adore how Kurt Olson takes existing noir tropes and characterizations and flips them to hilarious and revealing effect! 37 Origami Bees proves to be a versatile title in Olson's capable hands, and audiences will delight in this play's clever and theatrical proceedings.

I love the real-time approach of Morey Norkin's clever 37 Origami Bees. Norkin's unique take on this surprisingly versatile title provides a compelling and hilarious setup that pays off beautifully as a quartet of young and young-at-heart competitors vie for the coveted crown of paper-folding glory.

"Maybe he's just different. Something new." These words stick in my heart, one small piece of the magnificent puzzle that is Morphology, a new full length play from the masterful Jillian Blevins. Deploying her gifts of incorporating iambic verse within contemporary topics and sentiments, Blevins demonstrates both the inadequacies and the magnificence of language in all of its forms. Mothers and children -- human, whale, and otherwise -- take center stage in this most personal and poignant play.

This is a fast-paced and hilarious exchange between man and intelligent machine, all in pursuit of listening to a particular song — or denying that song more time on the airwaves, as the case is with Alexa. The free-associative way of Alexa’s constant searching and presumptuous support is endlessly entertaining, anchored by Busser’s witty perspective on modern tech. A fantastic short.

Pix of Your Partner's Privates is a fantastic short play about the intimate kinds of communication that takes place between people who know each other intimately, but also know that knowledge isn't always enough. It's hilarious and a touch uncomfortable, but ultimately moving. Dave Osmundsen nails the vulnerability of sending dirty pix to your partner, as well as the motives and impacts of such acts. A great conversation starter for the theater.