Recommended by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos

An interesting, realistic glimpse into the family dynamics of grief that have carried on far too long. I particularly enjoyed the tense and believable relationship between the daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. I can see this scene playing out year after year. Nice two-hander for women aged 40 and up.

‘Warming’ is the key word in this title. A sweet short play about strangers who have dogs in common and maybe a lot more. I enjoyed the easy banter between these well-drawn characters and appreciated the ending full of potential and hope. A quick, breezy read.

This short play is so relatable. Who has this not happened to? You’re going to recognize all these characters. I especially enjoyed the character of “Earworm”, who sings all the songs you don’t want playing in your head at 3:30am. Or maybe even ever! I hope these characters don’t pay me a visit tonight. A really fun read.

“Romeo and Her Sister” is exactly the kind of play I want to see when I go to the theater - smart, well crafted, and literary. Blevins has done the research on the historical characters she introduces us to, leaving me so intrigued, I read up further on them. What I appreciated most about the play was the bookended prologue and epilogue, delivered by a supporting character who provides insight on what it is like to be eclipsed not only because of gender but because of race as well. Truly a wonderful play.

At its heart, “Everyday Monsters” is a play about power. Who has it and who’s taking it away and how. While the play’s vehicle is sexual abuse, racism adds another complicated element to an already complex dynamic. But what I found most intriguing was the motivation of revenge. We know someone is going to be made to pay, and just how that retribution plays out is what keeps the audience pinned in their seats. This is a tense, hair raising ride you’ll want to shake off after it’s over. But you won’t be able to.

Careful who your work friends are. There are some dark, twisty turns in this short. The banter is crisp. The facts are ambiguous. And the unexpected keeps us guessing. On the practical side, this three-person play would be easy to produce, making it perfect for any short play festival. Those of us looking for something dark with enough humor to keep it light will enjoy this piece. A fun read!

‘Goaawhhhd’, this playwright sure pokes a lot of fun at - and/or calls out - these commercialized evangelical archetypes. Funny but pointed, in just a few short pages, Eickmeyer skewers hypocrisy and serves it up on a collection plate. A cleverly titled, satisfying short with some sharp edges. Nicely done.

A Comedy of Horrors? A gay man’s nightmare? Lord help Generation Alpha, the beneficiaries/victims of the age of helicopter parenting. Martin gives us a hilarious but-oh-so-cringeworthy glimpse into a newlywed couple’s marriage night. Darkly absurd, this fast paced, mental burlesque will leave the audience gasping for air. From laughing and from shock. Martin holds nothing back. Give this eye-popper a read!

Syran’s full-length play with music about Impressionism, the 19th century French art movement, is grand, epic, and beautiful! What’s particularly brilliant about Syran’s piece is the various ways we are introduced to these famous artists. I especially appreciated the insights offered on the women artists and the ways they did - and didn’t - fit into their time. Really smart and well written. What a delicious spectacle to see this play produced to its fullest glory. Let’s hope we see this on stage soon! We need more of this kind of beauty in our lives.

Suffering comes in many forms. In this 75 minute play, two strangers are forever linked after a fateful incident. While the nature of their relationship is unconventional, ultimately, their care for each other feels quite natural. I have hope these two people will help each other bear their lives’ extraordinary loads. The characters are well drawn, the dialogue authentic, and its setting in Taos, NM, rings true. A lovely, moving play that’s easy to produce and bound to stir conversation. And I especially loved the story of how cats get pajamas. Truly enjoyed reading it.