Recommended by Steven G. Martin

A spare, earnest 1-minute drama about what people need, especially during an emotional crisis. The directness of the dialogue nicely balances the inferred backstory about Doyle and Reid's relationship and their prejudices.

To be blissfully unaware of how we and our actions affect others can ruin attempts at genuine connection. King's 1-minute play rings loudly with a stinging message of being considerate of others.

The world of "Everything Here Is So Delicious" is broken. Everything in Hilder's short, dark, satire suggests it: the characters and their differences, the dialogue, the visuals, the actions. But it isn't ridiculously broken; it's even recognizable. Which is even more horrible.

The unknown may be the scariest thing of all, and Prillaman gives an audience absolutely no sure footing in this short horror play. Are there rules to this world? Most likely, but we don't know them or when they're broken, nor do we know the consequences. And it feels everything is at stake because of it.

Henderson has intentionally written a play designed to make an audience cringe throughout its run time. But the most cringe-inducing moments come from seeing a character who has such internalized hate and homophobia completely lose control as uncontrollable laughter turns to sobs. This isn't an easy play with pat answers.

Sweet (and sexy) encouragement and camaraderie in a setting I wouldn't have expected. King again showcases his skill are creating dimensional characters in a brief amount of time.

Credit Sickles. While the play has a huge laugh and a punchy set up, its core is nothing less than a complete understanding of what people need from others in order to survive.

I nodded in understanding reading this monologue. The cycle of searching, experiencing rejection, and establishing isolation is hard to escape. Even the victory of finding something is brief for the protagonist Otis, and we see the cycle start again. It's painful.

The struggle for the fate of the human race will begin in a veterinarian's office. Nina Ki's sci-fi adventure has fun broad characters, including protagonist Delilah whose love of pi, pie and magic could save the day. Lots of action, lots of humor, and lots of self-esteem building.

The style, the sass, the sabotage, the silliness! Diana Burbano's tale of backstage antics at a youth beauty pageant is a fun romp. The characters have big personalities, the high stakes receive their comeuppance, and the details make the story, dialogue, and characters that much richer. Burbano deserves a crown.