Sept 5
Sept 6
Sept 7
Sept 8
Sept 9
Sept 10
Sept 11
Beginning in 2022, Rachel and Rick Klausner have committed to funding a grant program, given to two Festival participants, in support of a future production of that work.
2024 grants will be for $10,000 each. The two projects worthy of advancement will be chosen by a panel of industry leaders.
2024 SELECTION PANEL
Peter Marks, Chief Drama Critic The Washington Post
Jonathan Silverstein, Artistic Director of Off Broadway’s Keen Company
Sarah Stiles, Two-time Tony Award Nominated Actor
2023 Prize winners “Exhibit” and “The Exhibitionist”
2022 Prize winners
Avaaz by Michael Shayan & Sally: Solo Play by Sandra Seaton
Interested in underwriting Solo Flights? Contact Jess Elkins at jelkins@TheatreAspen.org.
Solo Flights is an annual week-long developmental festival of one-person shows presented in the beginning stages of their making. In addition to the performances, Solo Flights features signature events including talkbacks, creative discussions & panels, and special receptions. The fifth annual Solo Flights Festival will be held September 5 – 11, 2024 at Theatre Aspen’s Hurst Theatre.
This year we’re thrilled to bring six carefully curated new works to Aspen!
Written by Joseph Dougherty
Directed by Emily Maltby
September 5 at 4 PM | September 7 at 7 PM
Frankly, the world and the people in it have so far been a disappointment to young Lilly. Clever, observant, and trying not to be cynical, mid-westerner Lilly has tumbled into the job of nanny for the two “socially unstructured” children of an affluent Los Angeles couple. We join Lilly on her journey to make sense of her own complicated beginnings and the potentially dangerous indulgences she encounters in sunny California.
Written by Stephen Kaplan
Directed by Hannah Ryan
September 5 at 7 PM (Opening Reception 6pm) | September 7 at 4 PM
Based on the New York Times bestseller, Long Drive Home tells the compelling story of a devoted father whose perfect life is shattered by a single, fleeting error.
Written by & starring Justin Tranter
Directed by Neigel Smith
September 6 at 4 PM | September 9 at 7 PM
A post-apocalyptic alt-pop musical. Golden Globe and Grammy nominated hitmaker Justin Tranter plays Queen Frank, the witty, vulgar, and flamboyant leader of a Southern California water mafia in the not-so-distant future. Through soaring pop songs and a drag queen’s sharp tongue, Queen Frank immerses you in the story of a family trying to do more than survive a very thirsty new world.
Written by and Starring Safi Rauf and Sammi Cannold
Directed by Sammi Cannold
September 8 at 4 PM | September 10 at 7 PM
In December of 2021, Afghan-American humanitarian Safi Rauf was taken hostage by the Taliban and held captive in a high security prison in Kabul for 105 days. Stateside, his Jewish-American girlfriend Sammi and his devout Muslim family—who did not accept the relationship—had to find a way to work together to get Safi out. In this profound and gripping autobiographical journey across continents, love defies the boundaries of captivity, cultural differences, and political turmoil.
Written by and Starring Guy Davis
Directed by Dean Irby
September 8 at 7 PM | September 10 at 4 PM
Part tall tale, part medicine show, part mystery, Sugarbelly is drawn from the stories that the late Ossie Davis told his son, Guy Davis. Grammy-nominated Davis breathes life through song into a bygone way of life, which is resurrected by his field hollers and songs. Performed in Guy’s inimitable style, Sugarbelly promises to be a unique and deeply satisfying evening of theatre.
Written by Kenny Finkle
Directed by Jonathan Silverstein
Starring Anthony Rapp
September 9 at 4 PM | September 11 at 7 PM
Touch is a one-person play that follows Sydney Blatter, a gay, middle aged, middle school theater teacher. When he encounters a former student after a panic attack on the subway, Sydney’s life takes an unexpected turn, forcing him to confront his ambitious past and his unfulfilled present.