Recommended by DC Cathro

The end of all “mankind” in the hands of Scott Sickles becomes hilarious and heartbreaking. An almost slice-of-life glimpse into two just-friends evolves into an epic tale of unrequited love and loss. Humanity is doomed, but Sickles deftly turns the tables on us and uses his distinct characters’ voices to make us laugh through it all. Sweet, sad, and really hysterical. A wonder.

When one thinks of spiritual encounters, rarely (if ever) does Taco Bell occur in that same thought. What starts as a late-night grub run takes on a more ethereal and otherworldly feeling. Cross also sprinkles on the classic menu item references, adding a side dish of funny to this piece, which would also be perfect for a site-specific production!

Workplace relationships can be tricky and Martin, in just a couple pages, paints a rich picture of these two women and gives us a history without even referring to their past. It’s unexpected, affirming, uplifting, and ultimately sweet despite the confrontational nature of the conversation. So, so good.

Emotionally taut and heartbreaking. This short about a young teen who is desperate to hide his sexuality from a mother who already knows hits very close and very hard. Personifying the underwear is brilliant, and despite the limited vocabulary, this piece gives the actor so much to work with. “Hey” is a fantasy but feels so real and grounded. A powerful piece.

McShane excels at writing deeply troubled, flawed souls. They desperately want help, a connection, but don’t know how to open themselves up to that vulnerability and that’s what draws you in. A really hard look into the relationship between a niece who wants to escape her past and rebel, and an alcoholic uncle trying to help put her life back on track. Powerful.

What begins as a mystery serves up some classic scares in this creepy two-hander. Atmospheric and unsettling, the dark and claustrophobic nature of the piece serves the horror to a tee. Great designers will have a field day with this as well.

“Miss Education” is a wicked parody of old (and I use this term loosely) educational films of the fifties and sixties that would explore teenage sexuality. Generally used to scare kids into abstinence, this short piece skewers the stereotype, expertly mixes the old and the current, and manages to insert some real feelings. I love the camp nature of those old films, so this really spoke to me in a hilarious way. Super funny!

I absolutely love holiday plays, and this irreverent comedy brings the ridiculousness wrapped up with a bow. Hilarious and fast-paced with sharp wit and funny barbs. Plus, the end is an is unexpected star on top. So much fun and frolic! Thumbs up!

This monologue explores the deepest love and darkest recesses of the human psyche. Hageman unveils the information slowly and with deliberate care so the impact on the reader and the audience is maximized, like a slow punch-in-the-gut. You’ll feel for Jason in changing ways and that’s the power of the piece.

Sweet, literally and figuratively, and sad. Hilarious visuals offset a serious topic, treated with care and compassion and humor. The emotional highs and lows leave a solid impact, and this piece will resonate long after you finish reading.