Recommended by Marshall Logan Gibbs

Suffering is universal. This excellent two-hander between a Thief and a Tiger explores suffering, responsibility, and vengeance in an approachable way - an allegory for all audiences, young or old, like the fables you may have grown up with. Fantastic work!

Williams has written a remarkable story about finding the power in being yourself, loving yourself, not trying to validate your parents and who you think they would want you to be. I really needed this play when I was growing up queer in small-town Ohio, jumping at every rumble of thunder just like Benjie. It’s incredibly affirming, bright and warm despite the lack of electricity/light in the house, with some slightly supernatural touches that are the cherry on top. The limestone abides!

I am blown away by this short play, tackling some of life's hardest questions through the lens of an alien abduction story. But is all of this alien talk really what it seems? As Helene finally gets through to Joseph, it hit me very hard. We can't give up on the folks we care about - we must have hope, we must keep reaching them, we must keep remembering them. Phenomenal work.

“It’s money, money, money, man.” This hilarious two-hander is rich with theatre references, clever word play, and sharp specificity - with a sweet, caring relationship behind it all. You don’t have to be an award-winning writer to relate to these two - it’s totally universal. Fantastic work.

In just ten minutes, Heyman has packed the richness and catharsis of a full-length (and then some.) With a beautifully painted relationship, abundant with culture, I (like many others who had the pleasure of seeing this play) was moved to tears and will be meditating on this play for awhile. A must-read. Just brilliant.

Satta's wordplay and wit is second-to-none. Mistaken identity, vibrant characters, and punchy dialogue make for ten straight minutes of nonstop fun. Satta also proves to be masterful at setup and payoff - one of the funniest plays I've seen in awhile, but also a layer of heart. Wonderful work!

This two-hander KILLED at the Midwest Dramatists Conference 2025, with non-stop wit and clever subversions of vampire lore, Walker also manages to reflect resounding depth and philosophy in this short, spooky play. I highly recommend it! It certainly does NOT “suck” - pun absolutely intended.

Humans connect (and disconnect) in the strangest of places and this play is living proof. With its electric ensemble of characters and sharp dialogue that expertly toes the line between zany and believability - Castellaneta has written an incredibly relatable and essentially human play. Actors would have the time of their life embodying these characters! (Great opportunity for doubling!) And the terrific monologues scattered throughout - this play is an actor’s playground! I heartily recommend.

F**king Blippi. This play about fathers and sons connecting in the age of instant-streaming-entertainment is just So. Well. Done. The specificity and relatability never waivers, the laughs keep coming, the Dads keep sea-shantying... I highly recommend this play.

When does a boy become a man? When is a man just an overgrown boy? O'Day explores maturity, masculinity, and manipulation over Twinkies in the 7-11 Parking Lot in the middle of the night. Per usual, O'Day pens characters that jump right off the page, yank you by the collar, and demand your attention. Clever, laugh-out-loud funny, and such a clear sense of setting. Fantastic work!