Calling all theater lovers! This study group will read and discuss seven contemporary selections from Plays In One Act edited by Daniel Halpern (HarperCollins,1991-2005), which is readily available from online booksellers. This anthology covers one-act plays published between 1965-1990, including playwrights whose works are still regularly performed today, such as Sam Shepard, August Wilson, Terrence McNally, Wendy Wasserstein, Tom Stoppard, and David Mamet. Although never widely popular on Broadway, the one-act play has long been a staple of experimental, regional, and non-professional theater. One-act plays offer a unique opportunity for deep engagement within a shorter format, making them ideal for lively group discussion. In this study group, we’ll explore the unique power of the one-act form – its intensity, brevity, and focus – and how it challenges writers, readers, and audiences. Participants will discover how a short play can leave a lasting impact through discussion of various topics such as the playwrights’ techniques, the social and/or philosophical issues reflected in each piece, themes, dramatic structure, character development, and historical context.