Recommended by Anj Marie Riffel

I love the wholesome, wistful, bittersweet chord that Tom Erb has struck with this short play. "Melodies of the Past" reminds us that, while every memento has a story, it's the sharing of our memories that truly keeps them alive. The lovely intergenerational exchange radiates generosity and heart, while providing a wonderful opportunity to feature senior and teen actors.

"The Disturbance" definitely lives up to its name. We're moving along briskly, flowing with the captivating dialogue volley Debra A. Cole does so well... tension is building... and BAM, we're hit in the senses with a few lines you can actually see and smell. Oof. By then, I'm in it with them. I need them to win too. And I'm left wondering how far I'd be willing to go. Absolutely gripping, gut-wrenching, and thought-provoking... Bravo!

In "Seeker," Debra A. Cole covers a lot of hallowed ground in just 10 minutes, demonstrating that dogmatic disagreements may often be more contrived than complex. What a gift we're given in this opportunity to sift through the cast of emotions and convention that often drives knee-jerk thinking. I love a play that both entertains (there are some very funny moments!) and educates, and this play succeeds at both — making a clear point for consideration while not falling into a dogmatic trap itself, and leaving us with a satisfying ending as the cherry on top!

Clever, witty, and engaging, George Sapio's "Burgers" offers actors a relatable monologue they can really sink their teeth into (har har). Audiences, too, will appreciate this richly descriptive, inside peek at the lengths actors are asked to go to in hopes of landing the part. I especially loved the zigzag paths and full-circle moments that tie everything together. Lots of humor and life packed in this short piece!

Ken Love masterfully stirs up a chilling sense of dread in the audience as he slowly reveals what (and who) Stu is up against, and the characters vividly come to life. We can easily imagine the horror of this young man who – whether guilty or innocent – finds himself locked up with hardened criminals. Vince's psychological warfare hits its mark, and perhaps Stu feels momentary relief... but our concern for him only grows. The unsettling unspoken ending tells us all we need to know.

Good thing I wasn't drinking while reading, because this play would have prompted more than one spit-take from laughter and oh-no-you-didn't moments. Ian Donley ups the ante in this fresh take on a coming out tale by weaving a satisfying karmic tapestry with comeuppance as the red thread that ties everything up with a nice little bow.

FOCUS begins as an amusing carnival ride through the plastic landscape of marketing hype, then unexpectedly plunges us into a dark funhouse of twists, turns, and questionable intentions. All of your senses will be fully engaged in this quick-paced 10-minute by Brent Alles that comes packed with laughs — and a swig of pickle juice to cleanse the palate.

Satisfyingly loaded with a juxtaposition I didn't see coming and a dose of lovely poetic justice, Debra A. Cole, will have you cheering her masterful landing of this ten-minute flight. It's easy to imagine watching a scene like this play out as a fellow passenger, and fun to experience the shift in perspective as more information is revealed. "Unaccompanied Minor" is brilliant not only for its unexpected take on a headline, but also in the way it examines layers of privilege and keeps you wondering who to root for.

Beautifully written though agonizing to imagine, "Not Planned" had my heart in its grip from the beginning. The unthinkable happens and a mother is left with unanswerable questions. Even if she were to get those answers, there is ultimately no solution. As a mother of a teen, this one hits close to home. As a one-time teen who did stupid things, this hits close to home. Thank you, Debra A. Cole, for creating this moving piece that gives me space to process the complicated intersection of emotions these characters wrestle with in living with loss and mistakes.