Recommended by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos

Delightful! Best describes this short play. A truly fun and funny unraveling of decorum as an elementary school art competition devolves into chaos. There is seemingly nothing more important to these judges than upholding the well-established standards of the professional art world and applying them to two young artists who prove to be more mature and more secure in themselves than their elders could ever hope to be. There’s a lesson there ;) All female cast of various ages. Perfect show for any festival. Family friendly. Highly recommended.

Refreshingly different! It’s a simple story of multi- generational emotional and physical abuse and reconciliation enabled by the culture from which it springs – in this case, represented by the neighborhood Bitchy Greek Mom Chorus whose commentary pushes the action along. But in spite of the subject matter, the play is funny. It’s quirky. It’s uncomfortable. The dialogue is poetic and delightfully strange. The play addresses authoritarianism at the familial level, its effects and consequences stored in a Sack of Grievances. Easily produced. Highly recommended – especially if you’re looking for something artistically challenging with contemporary relevance.

Johnson has a knack for filling simple spaces with big stories. Wiccans in the Hood is a perfect title for a play that addresses issues of cultural appropriation, classism, racism, and religious difference. Johnson is adept at handling race in a way that feels natural and without bluster or blame. The premise is unique and the story kept me guessing. The play has particularly good roles for older teenagers/young people as well as middle-aged actors, making it a great fit for community theatre. Simple staging is a plus as well. Highly recommended.

This story could belong to almost any family in America. After their grandmother’s death, siblings confront her secrets – and their own - in multiple ways. This play includes a refreshing treatment of race, especially in the less than warm relationship between the Black sister and her white sister in law. Generational racial dynamics are probed and their consequences explored. Believable characters and situation that ring true in contemporary America, with the added benefit of simple staging and diverse casting. A good choice as a vehicle to prompt discussions of changing race relations in any community.

Barsha is immediately a likeable character. And even though she is intentionally drawn as “the Other”, the reader/audience quickly connects to her. I particularly like the writer’s chosen form for the monologue - the character doesn’t exactly talk to the audience or to herself but to other, unseen characters just out of sight. Both charming and sad, a nice monologue, especially for non-white female actors.

This is a monologue given by an adult woman at the graveside of her recently deceased parents. Approach ‘Cassie’ with caution, though. All is not what it seems. Cassie doesn’t need your sympathy. Cassie is there for revenge. A wonderfully drawn character rich with actable moments for the 30ish woman actor – drunkenness, despair, and betrayal that cuts both ways. Martin highlights one of his strengths in this short play - writing natural and convincing dialogue. Great audition piece.

A playground "bully" drama with big stakes, kids will love watching - and being in - this play. Each character has a fun name/identity that helps characterize his/or persona. The goals and actions of the characters are well defined and easy to understand. A wonderful short play with an important, empowering message. Could be cast with adults for an extra fun twist!

The war is brought home for a group of friends. Separation, sacrifice, and horror are confronted daily. The scenes bleed from one to another, pulled along by characters who leave one space and time for the next like ghosts. The play flows seamlessly using these elements. Superb use of period and regional speech and colloquialisms. Period treatment and consideration of issues around gender, class, sexual orientation, and nationalism. A beautiful and timely commentary on the costs of war. An especially good play for the Christmas holidays, offering a much appreciated break from the same old same old. Highly recommended.

Rich in atmosphere and theatrical potential, this neo-gothic tale of loss, madness, and abuse is wonderfully stylized yet remains easily accessible to modern audiences. The play is fast paced and the dialogue is brisk, poetic, and often cheeky. The female characters are strong and particularly well crafted. The characters wander in and out of realism, dragging the audience member along into Ms. Lincoln’s understandable despair or into Zuzu’s strong connection with the afterlife. Even though light and airy in feel, the audience never loses their foothold in the palpable tragedy on which the play is based.