Recommended by Steven G. Martin

There are horror reveals by sudden scare and horror reveals by slow burn. DC Cathro's "Spirited" nicely finds itself in the latter, more interesting (to me) category. I love that by taking the slow burn approach, Cathro allows an audience to hear one part of a story and watch its effects simultaneously.

And yet for all the horror imagery in this 10-minute play -- poor Fred! -- there is a lot of humor built into the situation, especially Anne's frustration with the toy store staff. And yes, the descriptions of the birthday party.

"Spirited" is scary, funny, goosebumperly good.

What the hell have Laura and Lynch stumbled upon in the woods of West Virginia? Or, perhaps, what has stumbled upon them?

DC Cathro knows that it's more fun not to give those answers to the audience -- the tension in "Unbelievable" is ratcheted tighter by each passing second. And it's not just all talk, either. There also are very frightening images and action intertwined into this 10-minute sci-fi, horror play.

Something bad has happened in this world, and not everyone is going to survive. Thanks for the warning shot, DC Cathro.

May we all find that person who wants as much for us as Glynn wants for Cam in this 10-minute romantic play.

DC Cathro creates such a strong structure for "Untitled Play That We Promise is Really Good" -- request and denial, repeated again and again until there's a emotional bump, and new information comes along ... and that's when it felt to me that the play bloomed into this loving, open-hearted flower of a play.

And then the final line caps the story so beautifully, and oh so satisfyingly.

Absolute comic chaos, plotted to within a centimeter of its glorious, 10-minute life. It also offers a thoughtful, yet sarcastic, view of humanity.

John Busser's "The Fast and the Führer-Less" is action-packed with lots of twists and turns, power struggles, and general disgust for human whims and desires. I'm not sure much more could be added to this very funny, honestly thoughtful play -- especially after the playful shenanigans surrounding the surprise guest.

"The Fast and the Führer-Less" is classic Busser: a cockeyed look at a world going askew. Produce it. Your actors, audiences will love it.

We've all got a Satan on our shoulders. Who knew he was so adept at dramatic irony?

John Mabey's one-page farce "failing at a 1-page play festival" plays to a lot of writers' dreams and fears and disappointments. Remarkably, within a single page, an audience or reader will, indeed, develop sympathy for the Devil -- a great feat of conciseness and ever-focused forward movement by Mabey.

Watch out for that other shoe to drop, though. It's a doozy, and well earned. This is a marvelous one-page treat!

Sisters miffed at one another, children grifting the adults with guilt and whining, and comic twist that makes a person re-think who Santa Claus is.

Emily McClain's 10-minute holiday comedy "Swipe Right on Me, Santa" doesn't show people in their pristine best. They're disheveled messes who cajole, whine, coerce, lie, and play the fool to get what they want. And it's a tonic to be able to laugh out loud at them and their foibles.

This dramatic monologue comes from Williams' "The Sugar Ridge Rag," an historic play.

Philip Middleton Williams clearly knows Deb Granger's voice, and clearly she's suffering -- she feels she's all alone with her thoughts and fears for her son fighting in the Vietnam War, and she's trying desperately to connect with her husband. It's heartbreaking, her near-desperation.

Female actors will love "Do You Get It" because Williams so clearly steps from one level of intensity to another, and the audience will love the details of the lives dramatized. Sobering and affecting.

This comedy is a nice, refreshing jolt of camaraderie, of being pals in a minute's time. And yes, it's made even better by the characters being dogs.

Philip Middleton Williams shows a talent for writing genuine friendship in "Gee Your Butt Smell Terrific." There's a directness, a fondness between Ben and Sam that's so genuine and, frankly, pleasing. These two affectionate pals are great together.

Neatly structured and sprightly paced, "Welcome to Fourbucks" is a classic, one-minute comedy.

Philip Middleton Williams nicely adds a twist as the gently corny conclusion provides a clean, precise critique of modern life and American culture.

"Welcome to Fourbucks" is an iridescent bubble of a play. Short-lived, yes, but eye catching and charming, nonetheless.

Extraordinarily witty, light, and playful. A feel-good 10-minute play.

Ken Preuss has created a fun game within this romantic comedy, and once the audience is in on the rules, they'll be playing along with the characters and cheering throughout. "A.V.A. (An ExtrAVAantly Romantic Comedy)" will make everyone cheer. Read it, produce it, and revel in its sweetness and joy.