Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Sometimes we just want someone beside us as we wonder about the world and search for answers.

"The Shape of the Unknown" is driven by Emily McClain's skills at creating sympathetic characters, especially her protagonist Hank. Very little seems to be going right for him, yet he perseveres in his hope. Credit McClain for giving Hank a voice to express his hope in what may be for the first time.

I'd love to see this site-specific play in performance, followed by hours of looking into the night skies in wonder.

I watched Miranda Jonte's reading of "Every Decapitation Serves a Purpose" on Back Porch Theater's Facebook page on February 12, 2021.

Lee Lawing has created a formidable character in Thursday Bugatti, an intense, well-researched, well-spoken young person ready to settle some scores during her class presentation about her dream job. She's factual, her enthusiasm is winning, and she's more than a little scary. Lawing has conducted research, and it serves Thursday well.

"Every Decapitation Serves a Purpose" is a terrific monologue for a female actor in middle school/high school.

There's a setup and a punchline, but Elisabeth Giffin Speckman's keen skill with character make "Nixin' Nixon" more than just an extended joke. Jane's and Maggie's friendship is richly drawn in this play.

A romantic comedy for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations.

There's plenty of good-natured humor in having one of the main characters being Father Time. And there's a sweet sense of redemption as both characters open up to what they need out of life. And with John Mabey's fine writing, audiences will cheer as they recognize what is happening with the characters in "Three Seconds to Midnight."

This play is a lot of fun, and ends with a line that will leave smiles on everyone's faces. It did mine.

From its opening line, this play spirals into negativity as teens shallowly claim their hatred of anything not remotely related to them or their experiences.

Haygen-Brice Walker then throws the friendship into a loop, and what previously had been vacuous becomes personal and pointed. "BuzzFeed, Donald Trump, & Dead Black Kids" shows what may be the first instance in which one of these characters feels like the "Other."

Walker's skill with dialogue and character is terrific. and audiences will have a lot to talk about after a production of "BuzzFeed, Donald Trump, & Dead Black Kids."

A delightful play for young performers and young audiences.

Evan Baughfman's one-minute "Oona's Me Party" focuses on behavior, and it includes fun moments of imaginative play and friendship between girls.

"Oona's Me Party" makes its point in a gentle, easygoing, and sweet way.

What happens when you can't leave your present situation and its challenges? You get good at coping with them, fast.

DC Cathro's protagonist Donna knows exactly what to do when chaos from the outside world enters her private world. We know the reality of Donna's situation -- we see it, there is no spinning it to something positive or even neutral. What little dialogue there is is functional, there is no surprise or shock or awe expressed.

"Donna" shows us a world-weary woman who, sadly, has grown accustomed to the weariness.

When it comes to showing and receiving love, to each their own!

Cassie M. Seinuk creates a pair of souls who clearly belong together -- Salty and Moose, neither of whom care for commercial expressions of love. "Occupy Hallmark" brings the two childhood friends together after a rough (separate) evening for both. They get to be a little crass, a little mean-spirited, and maybe make a connection.

"Occupy Hallmark" us all about the roots of love: being with someone who gets you, not being with someone who gets you the biggest gifts.

A romantic comedy that is actually fun and funny!

Audiences and actors will love the physical comedy in this play -- and there is a lot of it! -- but what I especially appreciate is how Hilary Bluestein-Lyons shows Marcie's and Patty's love for one another by how they think of one another's interests while preparing for their wedding. There's an emotional core to this play, which the final line illuminates.

"Marcie and Patty are Getting Married" is a fun design challenge, a crowd pleaser, and a genuinely enjoyable play.

"Aurora" is gorgeously expansive. It's so much more than just its plot.

Ramón Esquivel has created a story and conflict that are immediate and extreme, and the audience will pay attention. But then the dialogue absolutely blooms and there is unexpectedly more to understand and enjoy. And Esquivel covers huge expanses of content: death and dying, life and living, the nature of love and remembering.

"Aurora" contains poetry, action, character arcs, and grand thoughts. This short one-act play will wash over an audience, and it may be too much for a single viewing, but it's glorious.