Recommended by Sean Gref

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    The Quarry House brings to life a unique and intimate world which explores a variety of deep and timely themes. The characters play off of each other perfectly. Philip Middleton Williams has managed to craft a layered story where multiple threads unravel all at once, exposing a soft and heartfelt core.

    The Quarry House brings to life a unique and intimate world which explores a variety of deep and timely themes. The characters play off of each other perfectly. Philip Middleton Williams has managed to craft a layered story where multiple threads unravel all at once, exposing a soft and heartfelt core.

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    I watched the reading of this piece from the Valdez Theatre Conference and enjoyed every minute of it. The dialog is real and relatable, even if you're not entrenched in the art world. The story unfolds in such a way that you get a glimpses into what's next without it being spoiled -- a perfectly designed maze where every turn feels like you can just about see the end, pulling you along with loving anticipation. The idea of different mediums of art as a metaphor for life is beautiful and unique.

    I watched the reading of this piece from the Valdez Theatre Conference and enjoyed every minute of it. The dialog is real and relatable, even if you're not entrenched in the art world. The story unfolds in such a way that you get a glimpses into what's next without it being spoiled -- a perfectly designed maze where every turn feels like you can just about see the end, pulling you along with loving anticipation. The idea of different mediums of art as a metaphor for life is beautiful and unique.

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    With this play, we live through a historic moment all the while the daily laughs and struggles continue. Ironically, the big piece of history that everyone will remember and talk about for generations is on the sidelines of what gets told through these characters. Philip has crafted a heart wrenching tale of love and grief with every character shining in their own way. The themes and emotions that are explored so effectively are a good reminder to cherish what we have while it's here.

    With this play, we live through a historic moment all the while the daily laughs and struggles continue. Ironically, the big piece of history that everyone will remember and talk about for generations is on the sidelines of what gets told through these characters. Philip has crafted a heart wrenching tale of love and grief with every character shining in their own way. The themes and emotions that are explored so effectively are a good reminder to cherish what we have while it's here.

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    Two characters, both with their own goals, come together on either side of an obvious tragedy. Vivika Widow takes the obvious and turns it on its head in a clever and unexpected way, like a circus performer doing a stunt. These characters come to life on the page and actors would have quite a fun time playing either part!

    Two characters, both with their own goals, come together on either side of an obvious tragedy. Vivika Widow takes the obvious and turns it on its head in a clever and unexpected way, like a circus performer doing a stunt. These characters come to life on the page and actors would have quite a fun time playing either part!

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    Neither character could see the end coming, and neither will you. If you enjoy absurd comedy, you'll read this play one time, or two. Ian Donley conjures laughter from within your body as you read of two people get naughty. But this play is not smut -- I tell you what -- it is clever and quick and witty and disarming in a way most charming.

    Neither character could see the end coming, and neither will you. If you enjoy absurd comedy, you'll read this play one time, or two. Ian Donley conjures laughter from within your body as you read of two people get naughty. But this play is not smut -- I tell you what -- it is clever and quick and witty and disarming in a way most charming.

  • Sean Gref: Meager and Knight: A Military Farce by Douglas Gearhart
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    As someone with zero military experience, I'll assume this is exactly how the armed forces operate! Douglas Gearhart includes everything you could ask for of a farce in this short, fast-paced adventure. Poor Private Meager is in over his head, and Sergeant Knight is doing his best with a bad situation. Douglas grips you with an immediately engaging situation and makes you laugh with clever quips from both characters. Good luck, Private Meager!

    As someone with zero military experience, I'll assume this is exactly how the armed forces operate! Douglas Gearhart includes everything you could ask for of a farce in this short, fast-paced adventure. Poor Private Meager is in over his head, and Sergeant Knight is doing his best with a bad situation. Douglas grips you with an immediately engaging situation and makes you laugh with clever quips from both characters. Good luck, Private Meager!

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  • Sean Gref: A House by the Side of the Road - Seven Short Plays About a Family by Philip Middleton Williams
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    Reading these plays feels as though you're in the room (or at the duck blind) with these characters. The sense of reality and honesty that Philip Middleton Williams creates brings beautifully touching emotions throughout the sequence of plays. You can really see the family grow while ultimately remaining the same people -- flaws and strengths altogether -- which gives us a really neat perspective. We don't just see a snapshot of their lives, we learn who they are intimately. Wonderful work!

    Reading these plays feels as though you're in the room (or at the duck blind) with these characters. The sense of reality and honesty that Philip Middleton Williams creates brings beautifully touching emotions throughout the sequence of plays. You can really see the family grow while ultimately remaining the same people -- flaws and strengths altogether -- which gives us a really neat perspective. We don't just see a snapshot of their lives, we learn who they are intimately. Wonderful work!

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  • Sean Gref: A House by the Side of the Road by Philip Middleton Williams
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    With "A House by the Side of the Road," Philip Middleton Williams shows nuance in humanity through the cover of a lighthearted discussion of baseball. The personality of each character comes through to create a very real and relatable dynamic between the members of this family. He layers themes and subtext in a way that's subtle yet impossible to miss. These characters develop over the course of this play in a way that leaves you wanting to read more - good thing there's 6 more plays about them!

    With "A House by the Side of the Road," Philip Middleton Williams shows nuance in humanity through the cover of a lighthearted discussion of baseball. The personality of each character comes through to create a very real and relatable dynamic between the members of this family. He layers themes and subtext in a way that's subtle yet impossible to miss. These characters develop over the course of this play in a way that leaves you wanting to read more - good thing there's 6 more plays about them!

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  • Sean Gref: Shipwrecked Supper by James Kelsey Nelson
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    How this group survived a shipwreck that took everyone else eludes me, but I don't care about that. What matters is that it's hilarious! Shipwrecked Supper is a clever farce that is packed with witty banter and silly situations. James Kelsey Nelson's cantankerous cast shows us the best part of being in your golden years: no matter what, you always get to eat your dessert.

    How this group survived a shipwreck that took everyone else eludes me, but I don't care about that. What matters is that it's hilarious! Shipwrecked Supper is a clever farce that is packed with witty banter and silly situations. James Kelsey Nelson's cantankerous cast shows us the best part of being in your golden years: no matter what, you always get to eat your dessert.

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  • Sean Gref: Cabana Boy by Philip Middleton Williams
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    A play as bold as Alex Hunter, Cabana Boy explores the discovery, love and loss of these complex characters in a unique setting. Philip Middleton Williams has crafted a twisting waterslide of a narrative with this play that will leave you feeling heartened and satisfied while simultaneously pondering your own but-what-if's.

    A play as bold as Alex Hunter, Cabana Boy explores the discovery, love and loss of these complex characters in a unique setting. Philip Middleton Williams has crafted a twisting waterslide of a narrative with this play that will leave you feeling heartened and satisfied while simultaneously pondering your own but-what-if's.

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