Recommended by Anj Marie Riffel

DEBRA A. COLE packs so much depth into this raw, gut-wrenching monologue: heart, wisdom, vulnerability – the real deal. We relate to the emotions shared, even if we haven't walked that exact mile. We learn from her. We see bravery come to life through her words, as she faces the fear no one comes equipped to face. So very well done.

Finally! A cure-all recipe for dentophobia: Nitrous + Sunny D screwdriver + naughty Mister Toothus. BRENT ALLES had me giggling throughout, as I could clearly envision actors hamming it up on stage and hear the audience HOWLING at Mary's antics. Such a funny take on modeling "bravery" for children. Ridiculous perfection!

The lovely-yet-hilarious OH, INDIA reads like romantic poetry born of mountaintop enlightenment during a strong Fabio breeze. I ate up every word of the cheesy goodness oozing off the page. In one short minute, DEBRA A. COLE leaves you fully satisfied, paying homage to Bollywood with chef's kiss perfection for cheddar and romance fans alike!

In YOUNG BEHOLDERS, Eddie and Tony know a thing or two about beauty, but turns out, it's all relative. D. LEE MILLER has penned a sneak peek inside boy-brain... and we learn the secret of strawberry lips and smart ears. I could see two young actors having a lot of fun with this!

The always fab DEBRA A. COLE has done it again with a fresh take on an old fave. If there were a musical version, I could picture COLE's slightly spicy Belle in a yellow Material Girl getup singing, "Papa don't preach, I'm keeping my library." Absolutely GOLDEN!

From the title to the character's age and all the way through this quickie, Debra A. Cole works her magic. We get this girl's plight. We empathize with her disappointing first experience. And, oh boy, do we ever feel her pain when the FOUR-play goes south.

VOLUNTEER by Debra A. Cole is a lively and lovely look at what can happen when humans share their humanity. Her characters offer color and depth for actors and audiences alike to dig into and connect with. In a world where the stale stench of cigarette butts suggests apathy could win the moment, the brave vulnerability of their relationship offers a fresh breath of hope.

In "The Beast," James Binz offers a quirky cast of characters who are easy to visualize and seemingly incorrigible, but revealed to be more than meets the eye as absurdity culminates in a satisfying ending that feels like everyone may have gotten exactly what they deserve. Fun piece, well done!

Truly horrifying in its scope of probability, audiences will easily empathize with the emotional hellscape Debra A. Cole has created in "Dream House." A real-life Freddy Krueger (Rob) terrorizes suburbia armed with squatters rights and infuriating audacity in this modern daymare, putting a young couple's marriage and morals in question. Cole masterfully unveils a "What Would You Do?" scenario for us that both entertains and educates, hopefully saving any would-be renters from such a fate in the process. FABULOUS!

The gorgeous leisurely flow Christopher Plumridge creates in this 10-minute beauty perfectly mirrors the summer solstice, taking us right into the mood of the evening. His reference of well-known songs further sets the tone as we are swept away into April's world, grieving with her as she longs for love and finds that it was smiling upon her all along. The meaningful reveal takes this piece to another level, leaving me with the very same commingling of emotions that I get when stargazing on a summer's night. Magnificent!