Recommended by Steven G. Martin

  • Steven G. Martin: Ten Picnics (a ten minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine
    “

    "Ten Picnics" is epic, yet intimate. It's reminiscent of Wilder's "The Long Christmas Dinner" in structure, but focused on one character's growth. Theatrical, emotional, and very satisfying.

    "Ten Picnics" is epic, yet intimate. It's reminiscent of Wilder's "The Long Christmas Dinner" in structure, but focused on one character's growth. Theatrical, emotional, and very satisfying.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Two Minute Warning (a two minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine
    “

    I loved reading this mashup comedy -- the situation is filled with silly humor, it's brisk, and it comments about performing theatre. Read it, and you'll smile with joy.

    I loved reading this mashup comedy -- the situation is filled with silly humor, it's brisk, and it comments about performing theatre. Read it, and you'll smile with joy.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: ODE TO THE PLAYWRIGHT by Vivian Lermond
    “

    A wonderful mantra, filled with affirmation and vigor. All playwrights should print a copy and hang it in their writing spaces.

    A wonderful mantra, filled with affirmation and vigor. All playwrights should print a copy and hang it in their writing spaces.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Hailey's Perfect Day by Julie Zaffarano
    “

    Zaffarano's play is ultimately compassionate, highlighting Hailey's radical perspective change from being obsessed with details to clearly seeing a bigger picture. She goes from frantic to focused, and the switch takes only a micromoment.

    Zaffarano's play is ultimately compassionate, highlighting Hailey's radical perspective change from being obsessed with details to clearly seeing a bigger picture. She goes from frantic to focused, and the switch takes only a micromoment.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Superhero (a ten minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine
    “

    "Superhero" is quite funny, but it's more resonant than a one-note joke. Levine allows his characters moments of doubt, self-confidence, silliness, and power. Lots of great lines but also lots of action and visuals.

    "Superhero" is quite funny, but it's more resonant than a one-note joke. Levine allows his characters moments of doubt, self-confidence, silliness, and power. Lots of great lines but also lots of action and visuals.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Tina is Weird by DC Cathro
    “

    "Tina is Weird" is a fun, quick, bantering short play with cynical, gossipy characters and really tasty bagels. Cathro's ending leaves everyone -- audiences and characters alike -- with more questions than answers. This play is a treat, and I'd enjoy seeing it on stage.

    "Tina is Weird" is a fun, quick, bantering short play with cynical, gossipy characters and really tasty bagels. Cathro's ending leaves everyone -- audiences and characters alike -- with more questions than answers. This play is a treat, and I'd enjoy seeing it on stage.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Chuck by Jacob Devine
    “

    Devine clearly loves the material he's spoofing in "Chuck." His one-act parody has a philosophical bent that would play perfectly naturally alongside the original material.

    Devine clearly loves the material he's spoofing in "Chuck." His one-act parody has a philosophical bent that would play perfectly naturally alongside the original material.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Consider the Ficus by Audrey Cefaly
    “

    It's fitting Cefaly starts this short play with a crash. What happens when you put two people under considerable pressure for years -- financial pressure, romantic pressure, civil liberties/political/larger societal pressure? They break. This is a portrait of broken men, together.

    It's fitting Cefaly starts this short play with a crash. What happens when you put two people under considerable pressure for years -- financial pressure, romantic pressure, civil liberties/political/larger societal pressure? They break. This is a portrait of broken men, together.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: The Suicide Play by Audrey Cefaly
    “

    Cefaly's short drama feels like a balm for the characters -- a momentary feeling of being soothed, relieved, calmed. There's no guarantee the moment will last for the characters longer than this episode, kind of like life. Highly specific characters, beautiful (though very sparse) use of action to move the story forward.

    Cefaly's short drama feels like a balm for the characters -- a momentary feeling of being soothed, relieved, calmed. There's no guarantee the moment will last for the characters longer than this episode, kind of like life. Highly specific characters, beautiful (though very sparse) use of action to move the story forward.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: SEEN by Neil Radtke
    “

    Delicious sleight-of-hand horror. Radtke comically plays with some tropes, but this script has bloody menace at its core.

    "SEEN" was produced at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's 8th annual 10-minute play festival in July 2020. Audiences laughed raucously out loud at the parody elements, and were stunned to silence at the climax. Easily one of the audience's -- and mine! -- favorite plays of the night.

    Delicious sleight-of-hand horror. Radtke comically plays with some tropes, but this script has bloody menace at its core.

    "SEEN" was produced at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's 8th annual 10-minute play festival in July 2020. Audiences laughed raucously out loud at the parody elements, and were stunned to silence at the climax. Easily one of the audience's -- and mine! -- favorite plays of the night.

    ”