Recommended by John Medlin

Short, but effective. "Steps (short play)" by David Hansen would be an excellent exercise for any performer or a great short play for any festival.

Jasmine Sharma has written greatness with their play "The Jazmines". This play is equal parts funny and tragic. The frustrations against the theatre industry are well articulated. The ensemble cast is diverse and interesting. This is a piece that is built for the stage.

"Raw Flesh at the End of the World" is a chilling example of the dark stories people tell when they think they are alone. It is also a well-crafted, darkly-comic piece of theatre. Jacob Horowitz walks a fine line between horrifying and funny quite well. It serves as a prime example of why you should never share your darkest secrets on a live radio, even if you're the last person on the face of the earth.

I have a special place in my heart for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Arianna Rose captures the comedy of the original piece, while breathing a new, and queer, life into it. Sappho brings in the Puck-like banter and meta theatricality. Helena and Hermia's relationship is melodramatic and quite funny. A Midsummer Night's Slam is a clever romp in one of Shakespeare's most memorable worlds.

It's interesting how a place meant for healing can be so damaging. "Open Up" is a play where healing is found in therapy, but not in the way that it is intended. Sam Heyman's clever use of language sets up later reveals with nuance. Clay is a deeply compelling protagonist, and their struggle feels real. As does the danger they are in. The pace of the piece is built into the dialogue. It's a play that showcases Heyman's storytelling prowess in a compact ten minutes.

"Horror Baby" is a chilling short play by Claudia Perry about the cages migrant children are put in through immigration. It suggests that, while in some cases are quite literal, the cages are those set upon people by society. It's the broken foster system. It's the lack of support for migrant children. It's the families separated due to a fundamentally flawed immigration system. It begs the reader or audience to consider if systems should exist that judge whether or not a person has a right to merely exist within a country. The play is short, but impactful. Well done.

Rob Matsushita sure knows how to inject fun into the apocalypse. "A Dream of Japanese Horror" is a short piece that knows the genre it's situated in. The self-awareness is where this piece soars. The dialogue flows naturally. The story is engaging. The twist is masterfully handled. I highly recommend producing this piece.

"A Lot of Time to Think" is a cheeky short horror isn't it. Cole Dzubak knows how to insert humor in dark stories, but not detract from the horror of what is happening. This piece kept me engaged. The twist at the end was well executed. It makes me want more of this world.

I love a dark comedy. Cole Hunter Dzubak gave me exactly what I love about the genre in "A Three-Wish Bar." It's equal parts camp and creep. I can see this being edited to suit just about any audience. I love the touch of avoiding gendered language. The flexibility of this piece makes it a great addition to any spooky one act festival. Solid work!

"Snowing in November" by Jaxson Mackling is a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly night. Beth and Jenna's relationship is fun to read. Their lines bounce back and forth with ease. One line about a haunting was particularly well done. The play is concise, festive, and a good read for the Christmas season.