Recommended by Neil Radtke

Hot for J.C. by Brandon Fulk sets up like a classic teen romance but pulls the rug out with a hilarious twist. Quick, cheeky, and perfect for a laugh in any short play fest.

Greg Mandryk’s September in Biddeford is a clever, high-energy parody that mixes heartfelt drama with sci-fi chaos. Witty, fast-moving, and packed with theatrical fun, it’s a crowd-pleaser with lasting appeal.

Julie Brandon delivers a chilling one-minute gut punch, turning a simple dinner date into a nightmare with razor-sharp economy.

Apologies Inc. by Debra A. Cole is a witty one-minute play that turns customer service into comedy with a sharp, surprising twist. Perfect for festivals that want quick laughs with a clever edge.

Aly Kantor’s Fruiting Bodies is sharp, weird, and a little scary in all the right ways. The play feels real and surreal at the same time, which makes it hit even harder.

In Trivial, Steven G. Martin takes something as simple as Morse code and turns it into a gut-punch about love and loss. It’s smart, tender, and sneaks up on you in the best way. The monologue gives an actor plenty to play with while still being completely accessible to an audience.

In A Shop in the Darkness, Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn imagines a quirky little store hidden deep inside “The Darkness,” where monsters and misfits gather. The play mixes offbeat comedy with a resonant message about empathy, self-worth, and finding light when the world feels overwhelming. It’s inventive, funny, and sneakily heartfelt, offering actors bold roles and audiences both laughs and reflection.

This playful twist on the classic tale gives the dwarves center stage, and the results are hilarious. Rachel Feeny-Williams mixes quick banter, silly surprises, and plenty of winks at tradition in a way that will have both kids and grown-ups laughing. A fun, flexible piece perfect for holiday shows or anytime you want a fresh take on a familiar story.

Heist! is wall-to-wall laughs, with two bumbling thieves, a docent who steals the scene, and a robbery that just keeps spiraling. It’s fast, ridiculous, and packed with moments that’ll have audiences cracking up from start to finish.

Ken Love’s Samson really struck me with how it uses the biblical story in a modern way. The loss of the dreads isn’t just shocking — it’s a clever nod to the Samson and Delilah tale that makes the betrayal hit even harder. In just a minute, the play leaves a powerful image that’s hard to shake.