Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Cowley's "Teatime" is a remarkable play. How do people cope when the world outside contains all types of threats so that living there is not only a challenge, but perhaps impossible?

Making the unfathomable, personal. Carbajal's silent, 1-minute drama is humane, alive, and poignant.

Tragic inevitability. An audience will cringe and try to avert their eyes once the first sign of weakness appears, but they will bear witness as things grow worse. Credit Ruth Zamoyta for not letting up on the actions and consequences in this one-act play.

Two shattering roles for brave women actors, especially the brutal, savage teenage daughter.

"Baby's First Madness" is big, bold, ridiculous, hilarious farce. Ruth Zamoyta ramps up the chaos and conflict on the second line, and they escalate so fast the audience's collective head will spin in the best, silliest way possible.

The façade of perfection versus the horror of reality, revisited annually at least. Strayer has written a stunning, upsetting two-minute monologue.

I'm almost speechless. A stunning monologue.

Even folk tale characters grow up and evolve. Ava Love Hanna fills this short play with a lot of contemporary references -- including a few subtle, adult ones that are guaranteed to produce guffaws. Funny, thoughtful, and pleasantly upbeat.

Murdoch is entirely successful in creating two fractured characters who need someone to connect with, to be encouraged to be more than they currently are. Murdoch creates unusual circumstances that are comic at first, but ultimately lead to a heartwarming resolution.

This is a funny tantrum of a monologue. It's filled with pop culture references, the character knows she's smarter than everyone in her class -- and perhaps her school -- and there's just enough of an F.U. tone at its core.

This is a soothing play. It's reassuring to know that even with patterns and parameters serving as obstacles, there's genuine affection and love. Thank you, Chelsea Hickman.