Recommended by Josh Gauthier

Dark and absurd, Busser's play is a wild ride that just keeps escalating. Morbidly entertaining, this short piece also rings true in an era of unchecked corporate expansion where corporations seem willing to do anything to turn a profit.

This one hit harder than I was prepared for. A fantastic short play about memory, grief, and one perfect day. Martin gives us three distinct characters rich with emotion, and layers in questions about memory, the cost of hindsight, and what we might be willing (or not willing) to give to recapture the past.

It's a big setting and a large cast for a 1 minute play, but in such a short span, Martin gives us a cast of characters in an impossible situation, deciding how to keep moving forward. A worthy piece, especially these days.

I Don't Like Theatre is a short piece grounded in its sole character, a man grappling with loss as well as an uncertain relationship to art and the new part of life he's found himself in. But in that brevity, Martin brings us into a deeply human monologue as well as a look at the impact art and theater can have, even on those who are resistant to experiencing it.

Funny and heartfelt, Hunt crafts a simple scenario that brings together two characters who may have more important than they realize. With sincerity and emotional layers, the play grows from a an entertaining opening to a resonant and worthwhile conclusion. It can be a challenge to conjure a full range of emotions in such a short span and Hunt does it deftly.

A short comedy that could be great fun for any setting looking for plays under 5 minutes. As things quickly spiral out of control for the characters, Fraser captures the painfully entertaining reality of panicking under pressure and the pressures around family and modern dating.

A powerful clash of worldviews as two longtime friends find themselves at odds over the realities of war. The play may be about the Iraq war, but it remains powerfully relevant about the military and imperialism at large. And rather than aiming for neat answers, Coash grounds the whole thing in two distinct characters who feel like people you could run into at the corner store. Tense, layered, and with plenty to leave the audience thinking after it's over.

In just a short span, LeBlanc--through the suspect senses of Lee Magno Awritas--takes us on a surreal journey through a drug-fueled haze and into the untold wonders of the universe. It's not about clear answers; it's an extraterrestrial adventure through a strange and uncertain awakening to the nature of the universe. Absolutely a fun monologue with a range of possible deliveries for an actor.

A delightful romp for any players or fans of Dungeons and Dragons or similar role playing games. A tale of murder hobos, prejudices, and the wonder of whether we can overcome base prejudices and instincts to better understand the world around us. But it's DnD--things never go quite to plan.

A highly entertaining farce that may have been written a few years ago but remains painfully relevant today. Leaning into the digital format, this short play starts simply and then rockets into unexpected territory with delightful energy.