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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

THEATRE ASPEN
ANNOUNCES
2026 SOLO FLIGHTS PROJECT ADVANCEMENT FUND
GRANT RECIPIENTS

“THE DAY I ACCIDENTALLY WENT TO WAR” BY BILL POSLEY
AND
“THIS IS NOT AN IMMIGRANT STORY” BY REZA SALAZAR

Aspen, CO (October 13, 2025) – Today, Theatre Aspen (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) announced the two grant recipients from the 2026 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund: The Day I Accidentally Went to War, written by and starring Bill Posley, directed Mortiz von Stuelpnagel; and This is Not an Immigrant Story, written by and starring Reza Salazar and directed by Kate Whoriskey. The recipients of the Solo Flights Project Advancement grants will each be awarded $10,000 in support for a future production of those works.

On the success of the 2026 Solo Flights Festival, Producing Director Jed Bernstein said, “Solo Flights is about creating time, space, and support for artists to take real risks and let their work evolve. We are all thrilled to see Bill and Reza’s extraordinary work continue its journey beyond the festival, and we’re proud to provide these grants to help bring their pieces one step closer to future productions.”

Playwright and actor Bill Posley said, “I love this festival and was honored to be a part of it. There aren’t a lot of places where you get to slow down and actually focus on your work. Being able to develop, receive feedback, and try things in a safe space is rare, so being provided the opportunity to do just that is a special thing. This has been one of my favorite theater experiences I have ever had. I’m so grateful to be a part of this festival, and I can honestly say that my show is so much better because of it.”

Playwright Reza Salazar said, “I am so happy my play was invited to participate in the Solo Flights Festival this year. The gentle Aspen breeze, the majestic mountains, the community of artists, the Theatre Aspen staff, and the occasional bears crossing the street were such a beautiful, surreal experience that enriched and nurtured my play. To receive this grant feels like a celebration of the journey and the impetus to get the piece closer to a full production.”

The selection panel for this year’s grants included Chris Jones, chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune; Tony Award^®-winning Broadway, film, and TV actress Anika Noni Rose; Broadway and returning Theatre Aspen actor Bernard Dotson; and Emmy^® and Grammy Award^®-winning actor Adam Kantor.

The 2026 Solo Flights Festival also included Ruthless by Liza Powel O’Brien, Crusades by Jason Gray Platt and starring Tony Award winner Santino Fontana, Nash by Hannah Benitez & Kevin Cloud, and Destroying David by Emmy Award-nominated writer and producer Jason Odell Williams.

Solo Flights is an annual weeklong developmental festival of one-person shows presented in the beginning stages of their making. Launched in 2019, the festival has brought a variety of diverse works and celebrated actors and directors to Theatre Aspen. Artists have included Anthony Rapp, Justin Tranter, Sammi Cannold, Guy Davis, Marsha Mason, Judith Ivey, Phylicia Rashad, Regina Taylor, Bryce Pinkham, Kate Baldwin, Taylor Trensch, Beau Bridges, Jeff Hiller, Lorin Latarro, Kaye Winks, Sarah Stiles, Christine Quintana, Emma Ramos, Richard Greenberg, Lameece Issaq, Michael Gaston, James Naughton, James Whiteside and more.

Since its inception, several of the works presented have gone on to have full, critically acclaimed productions.

ABOUT THEATRE ASPEN

As Theatre Aspen concludes its 43^rd season in 2026, it continues to rekindle a sense of discovery in audiences who live in and visit the Roaring Fork Valley by producing big theatre in a small space with intimate storytelling. Each season, Theatre Aspen promises to bring world-class theatre dramatically closer, with innovative and imaginative productions of both plays and musicals. These productions are complemented by an assortment of community events, including cabarets, educational programs and performances, collaborations with other Aspen arts organizations, and new works presentations. Theatre Aspen also boasts an impressive Apprentice Program, one of the largest in the country, devoted to training the next generation of theatrical artists and administrators. For more information on Theatre Aspen, visit TheatreAspen.org or call (970) 925-9313.

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