2023 FACTS & FIGURES
Name: United Solo Theatre Festival (first reference), United Solo Festival or United Solo
Dates: Spring & Fall Seasons
Stage Location: a resident company of Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City
Streaming Platform: www.unitedsolo.org/screen
About: The Annual United Solo Festival, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, presents a selection of local and international productions including storytelling, puppetry, dance, multimedia, improv, stand-up, magic, musical, and drama. Since its inaugural year in 2010, United Solo has featured more than 1,200 productions from all over the world. In 2021, United Solo launched a new virtual platform (United Solo Screen) to present shows for its global audience and theatre enthusiasts.
For the Press: www.unitedsolo.org/press-center/
The Press Quotes: www.unitedsolo.org/company/
Website: www.unitedsolo.org
CURRENT PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
March 27, 2023
New York City
United Solo Closes 2023 SPRING SEASON With Grand Awards Gala
This year, the Festival launched an all-new Spring Season to expand United Solo’s solo performances at Theatre Row in New York City ahead of its Fall 2023 Festival.
The Spring Festival culminated in a two-act Closing Gala on March 26, 2023, at 7pm at Theatre Row. Wendy-Lane Bailey presented “She Has Wings,” a musical directed by Omar Sangare, with music by Michele Brourman.
In the second act of the Gala, United Solo Theatre Festival recognized the work of the Festival artists who presented their shows on stage at Theatre Row this Spring. In addition, United Solo recognized notable performances on their streaming platform, United Solo Screen.
The Festival is now accepting Submissions for its 2023 Fall Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: www.unitedsolo.org/nyc-fall-2023/
The list of Awards for shows performed on-stage at Theatre Row includes:
Best Production: “SPADURA” performed by Starring Dahéli Hall
Best One-Man Show: “Tom Shillue: Spontaneous Combustion” by Tom Shillue
Best One-Woman Show: “SPADURA” performed by Starring Dahéli Hall
Best International Show: “Macbeth’s Lady Shaman” performed by Jiyoung Choi
The Festival Audience Choice Award: “Life’s Rich Pageant” performed by Rich Gustafson
Best Actress: Jodie Markell in “Leni’s Last Lament”
Best Actor: Mitchell Anderson in “You Better Call Your Mother”
Best Storyteller: Jessica Bashline in “Ann and Me: or The Big Bad Abortion Play”
Best Direction: Richard Caliban, “Leni’s Last Lament”
Best Encore: “The Miseducation of Ms. Freeman” performed by Alaina Freeman
Best Drama: “Blackout: A One Woman Show” performed by Hailey Henderson
Best Musical: “Things I Know Now…” performed by Nikki MacCallum
Best Comedy: “So She Married a Guido” performed by Guido Cocomello
Best Physical Theatre: “El mundo es una planta carnivora…” by María Kemp
Best Storytelling Show: “Too Fat for China” performed by Phoebe Potts
Best Autobiographical Show: “Losing My Religion” performed by Laura Ekstrand
Best Poetry Show: “t)re(equilt” performed by kARE: n____EiLbacher
Best Satire: “The Handmaid’s Dianetics Episode 1” performed by Joyce Miller
Best Dance Show: “TAL – An Award Winning Dance-Theater” by Tal Levy Cohen
Best NY Premiere: “Tales of a Blerd Ballerina” performed by Valoneecia Tolbert
Best Emerging Artist: Jackie Smook in “The Jackie Smook Program of De-Dumb-Ification”
Best Festival Debut: Dikelo Mamiale in “NEXT!!! auditions are not for the faint of heart”
Best Script: “Leni’s Last Lament” written by Gil Kofman
Best Lighting Design: Shane Matthews for ten shows at the Festival
All About Solo Critics’ Award: “Hold Still” performed by Susan Kuralt
Best Song: “Indian Boy” by Michele Brourman & Karen Gottlieb sang by Wendy-Lane Bailey
The list of Awards for shows featured on www.screen.unitedsolo.org includes:
Best Screen Production: “Ella y Yo” by Gilda Mercado
Best Screen Drama: “Woody’s Order!” by Ann Talman
Best International Screen Solo: “Shadow Boxing” by Alex Montaldo
Best Screen Solo Performer: Sean Astin in “Fire in the Garden”
Best Poetry Screen Show: “Runnin’ to Grace” by Rashida K. Braggs
Best Autobiographical Screen Show: “My Dead Wife” by Mike Folie
Best Screen Storyteller: Christopher Tajah in “Under Heaven’s Eyes”
*The winner of the 2023 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo
***Winners are selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members
More information available at: www.unitedsolo.org/shows/.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2023
New York City
United Solo Hosts Closing Gala for Its Inaugural Spring Season
For more than a decade, United Solo has presented its annual Fall Theatre Festival featuring local and international productions including storytelling, puppetry, dance, multimedia, improv, stand-up, magic, musical, and drama performances. This year, the Festival launched an all-new Spring season to expand United Solo’s solo performances at Theatre Row in New York City ahead of its Fall 2023 Festival.
The Spring Festival debuted on March 7, 2023 and offered a diverse range of well-attended performances. “There are as many ways to present a solo piece as there are artists,” said Omar Sangare, founder of United Solo. “Our artists are deeply innovative and inspiring… we could not be more pleased with the outcome of our first Spring Festival.” Nearly half of shows sold out and received an additional performance date.
United Solo’s Spring Festival culminates in a two-act gala on March 26, 2023, at 7:00 pm at Theatre Row. Wendy-Lane Bailey, Associated Artistic Director of United Solo, will present “She Has Wings,” a musical performance dedicated to the bravery, creativity, and artistry of United Solo’s artists. The show is directed by United Solo’s Founder and Artistic Director, Omar Sangare, with music by Michele Brourman.
In the second act of the Closing Gala, United Solo Theatre Festival will recognize the work of the Festival artists who presented their shows on stage at Theatre Row this Spring. Awards include Best Production, the Audience Choice Award, and the All About Solo Critics’ Award. In addition, United Solo will present awards for notable performances on their streaming platform, United Solo Screen. To learn more and cast your vote today, visit https://screen.unitedsolo.org/.
Sangare looks forward to including awards for outstanding performances on United Solo Screen at this year’s Closing Gala. “Recognizing outstanding performances brings more awareness to the craft and allows those who can’t attend the Festival in-person to see what solo theatre is all about.”
Tickets for the United Solo Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, can be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2023
New York City
United Solo Theatre Kicks Off Its Additional Spring Festival March 7th
United Solo Theatre Festival’s new spring festival comes to Theatre Row in New York City from March 7 through March 26, 2023. The spring season offers over three dozen shows in the genres of comedy, tragedy, performance art, dance, music, storytelling, puppetry, cabaret, and multimedia. Featuring artists from all over the U.S. and other countries including Canada, Mexico, Germany, Israel, Iran, South Africa, and South Korea, the spring festival will debut 18 world premieres, 11 New York City premieres, and four U.S. premieres. The rich variety of stories touch on themes of addiction, family sagas, current events, historical figures and more. The full lineup of shows is featured at www.unitedsolo.org/shows.
Completing the ten-week fall festival that will run later this year, the new spring festival will offer a three-week run for audiences enthusiastic about the 14th annual season later this Fall. “We expanded the United Solo Festival to include a spring season based on the tremendous response we got from artists and audiences in the Fall of 2022. Projects from around the world that were developed during the pandemic are ready to be shared with our New York audience in a space that has been joyfully celebrating solo theater for over 13 years,” said Festival Founder Omar Sangare.
The season offerings this spring include a lineup of new talents as well as well-accomplished solo performers. Mitchell Anderson, celebrity chef from Atlanta and Emmy nominee for For After Forever (Amazon Prime) appears in You Better Call Your Mother. The team of writer Gil Kofman (McDowell Fellow and Feature Award winner, Edmonton International Film Festival for his film The Memory Thief), director Richard Caliban (Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner), and actor Jodie Markell (Obie Award winning actor and director) present the world premiere of Leni’s Last Lament. Poet Karen Eilbacher, GLADD Media award winner, and actor from the national tour of Fun Home, introduces the show t)re(equilt. Tom Shillue,actor, writer, and comedian known for his appearances on The Daily Show, Comedy Central, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Fox News presents Spontaneous Combustion. Dahéli Hall, best known from MADtv, and a finalist in the HBO short films awards, brings her show Spadura to the festival. Dikelo Mamiala’s cabaret performance Next!!! Auditions are not for the Faint of Heart raises “questions of identity, belonging and opportunity in an industry dominated by white performers.” Tales of A Blerd Ballerina, by Valoneecia Tolbert is a choreopoem centered on the Blerd (Black Nerd) superhero that weaves concepts from the Afro-Diaspora and style of Jazz Aesthetics into stories of growing up as a Blerd child of the 90s. Maria Kemp presents The World is a Carnivorous Plant (winner of Best Play, Best Director, and Best Actress at the 4th Cairo International Monodrama Days Festival, Egypt) a self-fictional solo told through body percussion, tap and Mexican sign language.
The festival will close on March 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM, with a two-act Gala recognizing not only the work of the festival artists at Theatre Row, but for the very first time also recognizing outstanding work from United Solo Screen, an online solo performance streaming service.
Visit www.unitedsolo.org for the full lineup of shows and to purchase tickets.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
November 20, 2022
New York City
United Solo Closes 2022 Season With Awards Gala For Many
In the culmination of a seven-week run that featured over seventy one-person theatre productions from across the globe, the world’s largest solo theatre festival concluded its thirteenth season at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York on November 20, with this year’s awards gala. On behalf of the United Solo Academy, Dr. Omar Sangare, artistic director of the festival, presented the United Solo Special Award to Dael Orlandersmith for her performance in “Until the Flood.”
In her acceptance speech Ms. Orlandersmithsaid, “I’m more than honored, and very humbled — because I’m looking at the other nominees, and to be in this company I’m in…oh yes! And I’m glad also that you acknowledge this genre of theatre, as many people don’t recognize how challenging solo theatre is. Thank you so very much for the work you do!” Dael Orlandersmith will join illustrious honorees of the United Solo Special Award including Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), and Lee Roy Reams (2021).
This year’s season, which debuted on October 4, 2022, offered a robust selection of performances in categories including drama, comedy, stand‑up, musical theatre, dance, performance art and others. Many shows sold out and received additional performance dates by popular demand. Over half the shows at the festival were presented for the first time on a New York City stage, and several pieces made their world premieres.
In addition to the Special Award, the festival presented awards to its participants in the categories of Best One-Man and One-Woman Show, Best Direction, Best Actor and Actress, as well as the United Solo Audience Award, chosen in an online vote by festival attendees. The online publication All About Solo presented its Critics’ Choice Award, awarded by its staff writers.
This year’s gala began with a special presentation of “She Has Wings,” a song cycle by composer Michele Brourman, performed by Wendy-Lane Bailey, and directed by festival artistic director, Omar Sangare. Sangare and Bailey conceived the show as a tribute to this season’s artists and the stories they have shared.
In its thirteenth season, United Solo once again supported members of the performing arts community by fundraising for the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly known as The Actors Fund). The Entertainment Fund helps professionals during times of transition and has been especially vital to the theatre community throughout the pandemic.
In addition, the festival is now accepting submissions for its 2023 Spring Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2023
The full list of award winners at the 2022 United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Dael Orlandersmith in “Until the Flood”
Best Production: “The Shot” performed by Sharon Lawrence
Best One-Woman Show: “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas” by Shelley Cooper
Best One-Man Show: “Love/Love” by Josh Raff
The United Solo Audience Choice Award: “The Shot” performed by Sharon Lawrence
Best International Show: “The Child Behind the Eyes” performed by Manca Ogorevc
Best Actress: Sharon Lawrence in “The Shot”
Best Actor: Raoul Bhaneja in “Hamlet (solo)”
Best Storyteller: Michael Irvin Pollard in “By The Light”
Best Direction: Gretchen Cryer
Best Encore: “DISORDERED…” performed by Bella Florence
Best Drama: “RAG HEAD: An American Story” performed by Sundeep Morrison
Best Musical: “Doing Time With Lavinia” performed by Susan Campanaro
Best Comedy: “FURY!” performed by Lauren Bone Noble
Best Physical Theatre: “HOMO AMERICANUS” performed by Paul Cimpoieru
Best Storytelling Show: “Hold On Tight: A Love Story” performed by Meg Flather
Best Autobiographical Show: “Un-M-Othered…” by Liz DeBetta
Best New York Premiere: “Norwid’s Return” performed by Marek Probosz
All About Solo Critics’ Award: “Too young to be a widow” by Susana Hornos
Best Emerging Actor: Leeth Singhage AKA Shoodie in “GROWTHesque”
Best Emerging Actress: Tami Evans in “Off The Rails”
Best Festival Debut: Kathryn Taylor Smith in “A Mile In My Shoes”
Best Concert: “Fingernails in the Side of the Cliff” performed by Tina deVaron
Best Composer: Lynn Portas, “Doing Time With Lavinia”
Best Song: “She Has Wings”by Michele Brourman & Adryan Russ
Best Lighting Design: Vicky Scott, “The Shot”
*The winner of the 2022 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo
***Winners are selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
November 2, 2022
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Announces Nominees for the 2022 Special Award
United Solo is pleased to announce the nominees for their thirteenth annual Special Award, presented each year to an outstanding solo performance that takes place outside of the festival. This year’s nominees, selected by the United Solo Academy – an international group of theatre professionals from all corners of the industry – represent the rich spectrum of performances within the genre.
“These eight nominees prove that the art of solo performance is alive and thriving,” says United Solo Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “Audiences are hungry for connection, and nothing is more resonant than a single person with a compelling story.”
The 2022 United Solo Special Award nominees are: Kathleen Chalfant in The Year of Magical Thinking, Melissa Etheridge in My Window-A Journey Through Life, Douglas McGrath in Everything’s Fine, Dael Orlandersmith in Until the Flood, Chazz Palminteri in A Bronx Tale, David Strathairn in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, Cecily Strong in The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe, and Kathleen Turner in Finding My Voice.
This year’s United Solo Special Award recipient will be announced at the United Solo Gala on November 20, 2022, at 7 p.m. at Theatre Row NYC. This year’s winner will join illustrious past honorees such as Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), and Lee Roy Reams (2021).
Tickets for the United Solo Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
October 3, 2022
New York City
United Solo Theatre Kicks Off Its 2022 Season on Tuesday, October 4th
The world’s largest solo theatre festival, United Solo, is back for its thirteenth season with productions from around the globe including drama, dance, multimedia, improv, musical and storytelling. The festival will run from October 4 until November 20 at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City’s theatre district. The full lineup of shows is featured at: www.unitedsolo.org
This year’s lineup includes Emmy-nominated actor Sharon Lawrence as Washington Post Publisher Katharine Graham in “The Shot.” Opera singer and actor Shelley Cooper appears in “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas,” which has already garnered many theatre awards. Original musicals include those created by renowned composers such as Tina DeVaron, whose songs have climbed the ranks of the Billboard charts, as well as ASCAP Foundation and Johnny Mercer award winner Michele Brourman. There are also several international offerings on the bill. Canada’s Raoul Bhaneja, who was last seen onscreen opposite Jessica Chastain in “Miss Sloane,” will perform his critically acclaimed “Hamlet (Solo).” Shows from Canada, France, Poland, Romania, Spain, Turkey, and the UK, among others, reflect the vibrance of a thriving global theatre community.
“At the Festival, audiences will travel the world – without ever leaving their seats. From Theatre Row in New York City, audiences are transported into the countries, cultures, and stories of more than seventy unique productions,” said Festival Founder Omar Sangare. The festival has featured over one thousand shows on its stage and continues to delight and inspire audiences and artists well into the Festival’s second decade. On November 20th, the Closing Gala will present a “She Has Wings,” a special performance developed by Festival Artistic Director Omar Sangare and the Festival’s Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey. “She has Wings” will honor the contributions of the Festival’s artists to the solo theatre community. “Our solo performers put themselves in front of audiences every night. Their courage in revealing their hearts and souls to the world is astounding,” says Sangare, “They constantly inspire us. We wanted to create something for our performers to recognize their contributions.”
The United Solo Special Award, created to honor an outstanding solo performer, will be presented at the Gala. Billy Crystal, Ian McKellan, Michael Moore, John Leguizamo, Patti LuPone, Leroy Reams, Fiona Shaw, and Renée Taylor are among past recipients of the Award.
Tickets and complete festival schedule can be found at www.unitedsolo.org/shows
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2022
New York City
Tickets Now on Sale for United Solo’s 2022 Festival
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, opens its door to the new season this year. The festival will run from October 3 until November 20 at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City theatre district. The full lineup of shows is featured at the festival’s website: http://www.unitedsolo.org
In 2022, the festival, featuring several dozen shows from across the globe. The seven-week event offers a variety of shows for theatregoers. Emmy-nominated actor Sharon Lawrence appears in “The Shot,” based on an incident in the life of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham. There are several musical pieces featuring the work of well-known composers such as Tina De Varon, whose piece “Fingernails on the Side of the Cliff” is directed by Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle winner Gretchen Cryer. “She Has Wings” features the music of Michele Brourman, performed by Wendy-Lane Bailey and directed by the festival’s Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare.
Several shows making their New York premiere come to the festival having already garnered numerous awards. Kathryn Taylor Smith’s “A Mile in My Shoes,” directed by Zadia Ife, was awarded an NAACP Theatre Award for Best One Person Show, and the Festival Favorite Award at the Atlanta Black Theatre Awards. While Raoul Bhaneja’s “Hamlet (Solo)” has already been performed in twenty-five cities in the US and Canada and has taken home the Montreal English Critic’s Circle Award for Best Visiting Production. Golfer Chris Fuller’s show “Cheese Fries & Froot Loops” was directed by renowned director Mark S. Graham and produced by Drama Desk Awards Executive Producer Robert R. Blume.
“Last year was our comeback from COVID. This year is a year of growth for us,” says Sangare. “It’s not just that we have more shows in 2022 it’s that we have an incredibly diverse group of artists. We have shows from Israel, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom and from all over the US. Some are funny, some are tragic, some are modern updates of classic plays, some are experimental, all are worth seeing. United Solo continues to connect artists and audiences in this new and exciting time for solo theatre.”
Tickets and complete festival schedule may be found at: https://unitedsolo.org/the-13th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, Assistant Artistic Director at United Solo at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Wendy-Lane Bailey
+1 (646) 824-9757
wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2022
New York City
United Solo Announces Extended Submissions for Its 2022 Annual New York Festival
Due to popular demand, The United Solo Theatre Festival, the largest solo performance festival in the world, is extending open submissions for the 2022 Annual United Solo Theatre Festival at Theatre Row Theatres in New York City. Interested artists now have until February 1st to submit their solo pieces for consideration for next fall’s festival.
“With the advent of the health crises, we were lucky to return to our resident stage in New York’s theatre district this past fall, while many performers are struggling to find their footing creatively,” says Festival Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “By extending our submission period, we feel we are giving them a chance to do this by showcasing their solo piece in 2022.”
United Solo has a long tradition of featuring award-winning, internationally-renowned performers, as well as emerging talents. Artists and companies are welcome to submit shows representing a variety of solo forms, including dramas, comedies, movement pieces, storytelling, and spoken word, among others. Completed pieces, as well as works in progress will be considered. The applications can be found online at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-2022/about/
This year’s festival was a New York Times Pick in their fall lineup of events returning to the New York Theatre Scene after the pandemic forced a pause in production. “As we prepare for our next season, we feel that solo performance will be more relevant now than ever,” says Wendy-Lane Bailey Assistant Artistic Director, “it’s an extremely safe way to return to the stage, it’s economical to produce, and most importantly the enforced downtime that many artists have had during COVID has given them time to think about what they have to say and how they want to say it. All of this combines to create some really intriguing artistic possibilities moving forward.”
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org. For more info please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Will Titus
+1 (239) 322-8245
willtitus@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
November 22, 2021
New York City
United Solo Closes 2021 Season With Grand Awards Gala
Following a month-long run that featured several dozen one-person theatre productions from across the globe, United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, concluded its twelfth season at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York by presenting this year’s awards at the United Solo Closing Gala. On behalf of the United Solo Academy, Dr. Omar Sangare, artistic director of the Festival, presented the United Solo Special Award to Lee Roy Reams for his performance in “Remembering Jerry Herman.” In his acceptance speech Mr. Reams said: “We all need the same things: love and affection, food and water – we have so much in common” and added “That’s why sharing our experiences is so important – especially in an intimate situation where you don’t have to appeal to multi-million dollar productions. You can just walk in, turn on the lights, sit down, talk and listen – that’s what the theatre is all about for me. I love solo performance and that’s why I’m here, and thank you for appreciating what I’m trying to do.” Mr. Reams, a Tony and Drama Desk Awards nominee, will join such illustrious past honorees of the United Solo Special Award as: Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), and Ian McKellen (2020).
The Festival’s return was noted by the New York Times as they chose United Solo as one of their Fall Picks in their annual arts preview. The season began on October 26th and offered a robust selection of performances in categories including drama, comedy, stand‑up, musical theatre, dance, and performance art. Many shows sold out and received additional performance dates by popular demand. Over half of the shows were presented for the first time on a New York City Stage, and several pieces made their world premieres at the Festival.
In addition to the Special Award, the Festival presented awards to its participants in categories such as Best One-Man and One-Woman Show, Best Direction, Best Actor and Actress, as well as the United Solo Audience Award, chosen by an online popular vote. All About Solo presented its Critics’ Choice Award to a performer selected by the staff writers of the online publication. Wendy-Lane Bailey opened the Gala with a song from her show “Five Minutes” which was directed by Omar Sangare. One of the composers of “Five Minutes,” Michele Brourman, was awarded Best Song for her composition titled “Aurora.”
The Gala was also a celebration for United Solo’s new online platform, United Solo Screen, which allows viewers from around the world to engage with United Solo productions. Among the shows available for streaming are many of the Festival’s awarded productions, as well as premieres of shows created for United Solo Screen. The Festival will continue presenting solo productions on United Solo Screen until it returns to Theatre Row next season. Artists and companies can submit their shows as virtual performances on United Solo Screen at unitedsolo.org/usoloscreen. Submissions for the 2022 United Solo Festival at Theatre Row, NYC, are now open at unitedsolo.org/nyc-2022/about.
In its twelfth season, United Solo once again supported members of the performing arts community by fundraising for The Actors Fund. “Thank you to everyone at United Solo who has supported The Actors Fund with audience appeals over these past twelve years and collectively raised over $14,000 to help those in need in our community,” said Joseph P. Benincasa, President & CEO of The Actors Fund. “The Fund is proud to be here to offer services that foster stability and resiliency and serve as a safety net over the lifespan of everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment, including the solo artists and creative teams of United Solo.”
The full list of award winners at the 2021 United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Lee Roy Reams in “Remembering Jerry Herman”
Best Production: “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey” performed by Debra Ann Byrd
Best One-Woman Show: “Who Goes There” performed by Tara Hugo
Best One-Man Show: “Not My First Pandemic” performed by César Cadabes
Best International Show: “Ghislaine|Gabler” performed by Kristin Winters
Best Direction: Beth Bornstein Dunnington, “I Feel the Need” performed by Loree Draude
Best Actress: Becca Schneider in “Trich”
Best Actor: Jason Woods in “The Near-Disaster of Jasper and Casper”
Best Encore: “Chocoholic” performed by Lilly Dennis
Best Storyteller: Vince Bandille in “3 Egg Creams – A Rhapsody in the Rain”
Best Drama: “This Garden Plot” performed by Gil Cole
Best Comedy: “The Elephant in the Room” performed by Melanie Greenberg
Best Physical Theatre: “Six Solos: Legend, Myth, and Nature” performed by Lynn Needle
Best Autobiographical Show: “One Hundred Dollar Bill” performed by Muhammed Can Yasar
Best Concert: “The Pass Musical” performed by Denise Marsa
Best New York Premiere: “The Ivory Thread” performed by Michael J. Gonzales
Best Festival Debut: Amie Enriquez in “Lightweight”
Best Composer: Heather Forest, “Earthsong” performed by herself
Best Song: Michele Brourman, “Aurora” in “Five Minutes | Snapshots in Time”
Best Lighting Design: Shane Mathews designing for 7 productions at United Solo 2021
Best Emerging Artist: Erika Land in “PTSD & Me”
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “Not My First Pandemic” performed by César Cadabes
The United Solo Audience Choice Award: “Trich” performed by Becca Schneider
*The winner of the 2021 All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award was chosen by the staff writers of allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at unitedsolo.org
***Winners selected by an independent panel of The United Solo Academy Members
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Will Titus
+1 (239) 322-8245
willtitus@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2021
New York City
United Solo Special Event Celebrates Return to their Audience
In celebration of United Solo Theatre Festival’s return to its resident stage/home at Theatre Row in New York’s theatre district, Omar Sangare, the Festival’s founder and artistic director, joined forces with actor and singer Wendy-Lane Bailey to create “Five Minutes: Snapshots in Time”. The solo piece premieres Sunday, November 14th at 7:00 PM.
“We are coming back home to the place where we belong: the stage,” said Sangare. “One of the best ways to enter the world after the pandemic is to put a spotlight on our lives. This is the greatest gift we miraculously still have, and it is something we should be reminded of as long as we live.” From its inception, United Solo has been committed to presenting and promoting solo shows as a way to treasure individual journeys and experiences. Sangare’s extensive directorial career spanned shows such as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Crucible,” and “August: Osage County” for Williams Theatre. Additionally, he is a board member of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the author of six books, and the chair of the Department of Theatre at Williams College.
The collaboration between Bailey and Sangare grew out of their shared passion for American popular songs and singers as well as the glamor and excellence in stage performance of European chanteuses like Edith Piaf or Ewa Demarczyk. “What excited us was the dramatic possibilities of taking a variety of compelling songs and collaging them in order to tell the story of a survivor. This story reflects on what was lost and what can still be found,” said Bailey.
“Five Minutes” is being presented as part of United Solo’s 2021 Festival at Theatre Row, 410 W 42nd St. New York, NY. Sunday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at https://unitedsolo.org/shows/five-minutes/ or by calling 212-714-2442.
Wendy-Lane Bailey has a classic pop voice and a rather cavalier attitude towards the idea of genre. Wendy-Lane’s debut solo recording, Breathing, was produced by composer, arranger, and pianist Michele Brourman. Her performances in venues across the country have earned critical praise for her versatility and sophistication, and she has appeared as a guest artist on multiple recordings, including those of pop legend Leslie Gore and Broadway’s Susan Egan. She received her training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, HB Studios, and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Off-stage, Wendy Lane is a creative advocate for artists. While living in Washington, D.C., she founded a regional networking organization for musicians. For five years, Wendy Lane was the Associate Director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. She is the recipient of a 2007 Bistro Award for outstanding achievement. In addition to her work as a performer, she teaches and consults both privately and in masterclasses for singers of all genres, and she works with various companies developing, directing, and producing. www.wendylanebailey.com
Dr. Omar Sangare is a Polish American producer, director, writer, and educator. A graduate of The National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, he studied with the Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda. Awarded a scholarship to The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England in 1994, he worked with, among others, Michael Kahn, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, and Alan Rickman. Currently, a tenured full Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Theatre at Williams College, he is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival. In 2013, John Guare wrote a part for Sangare in his play “3 Kinds of Exile” produced by New York’s Atlantic Theater Company and filmed for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. His performance was praised by Charles Isherwood in The New York Times, who described Sangare as a “smoothly handsome actor with penetrating eyes and a silky voice.” Dr. Sangare holds many film, television, and radio credits. For his one-man drama “True Theater Critic,” he was voted Best Actor by the New York International Fringe Festival in 1997. The same year, Sangare was invited to the Jerzy Grotowski Theater in Wroclaw, Poland, where he won four prizes at the oldest solo Theater Festival in the world. His award-winning monodrama was presented in Poland, Canada, England, Ukraine, Germany, and the United States. For his lead part in the Arena Players Repertory Theater production of Othello, Sangare was featured in the New York Times’ profile article by Barbara Delatiner, who introduced Sangare as “born to play Othello.” Professor Sangare was selected by the U.S. Department of State for a video project that appeared as part of President Barack Obama’s trip to Poland in May 2011. He is a proud father of his son Maximilian, and a cousin of Oumou Sangare, a Grammy Award-winning singer.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Will Titus
+1 (239) 322-8245
willtitus@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
October 18, 2021
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Announces Nominees for the 2021 Special Award
Later this month, the world’s largest solo theatre festival returns to its resident stage at Theatre Row in New York, resuming the tradition of honoring outstanding solo performances with the United Solo Special Award. Every year, this award goes to an artist who has created a captivating performance which is rich with sensitivity, audacity, and wisdom; a performance which reminds us of the immense power of a singular performer, and the possibilities of solo storytelling.
This year, the United Solo Academy has nominated five performers for the Special Award: Tovah Feldshuh in Tovah Feldshuh is Leona, Harriet Harris in Eleanor, Ruben Santiago-Hudson in Lackawanna Blues, Lee Roy Reams in Remembering Jerry Herman, and Andre De Shields in Black by Popular Demand. The winner will be announced at the closing Gala on November 21st at Theatre Row.
For over a decade, United Solo has recognized numerous artists for their outstanding solo performances. This year’s recipient of the United Solo Special Award will join such illustrious past honorees as: Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), and Ian McKellen (2020). For its efforts in promoting the genre of solo art, United Solo was recently included in the New York Times’ fall theatre preview.
Tickets for the closing Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Will Titus
+1 (239) 322-8245
willtitus@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
October 12, 2021
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Returns With Double Force This Year
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, will launch its new season at Theatre Row with a full slate of productions from across the globe. Performances will start Tuesday October 26th and run through Sunday November 21st, concluding with a closing Gala in honor of the outstanding group of solo artists, directors, writers, and theatre designers.
The fall lineup represents a broad spectrum of themes and styles, including productions that undertake the subject of the COVID crisis, classical dramas, comedies, autobiographical shows, dance and music pieces, and multimedia productions. In addition to new talents, the Festival will feature accomplished artists such as: Laurence Olivier Nominee Tara Hugo in “Who Goes There”; Grammy Nominee Milbre Burch in “Sometimes I Sing”; and New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominee Michelle Felice Hartley in “Life Encounters 2,” as well as two past recipients of United Solo Festival awards, Elise Forier Edie, an author of “American Pain, and Lilly Dennis in “Chocoholic.” The Festival will also feature “Five Minutes,” a solo piece performed by Wendy Lane Bailey and directed by Omar Sangare, Founder of United Solo.
In over a decade, United Solo has presented more than one thousand solo shows in the heart of New York City’s theatre district, and was recently included in the New York Times’ fall theatre preview. “The show must go on with the audience. We’ve been waiting for this moment for too long,” said Omar Sangare, Artistic Director of United Solo. “This year we welcome our audiences returning to our theatre with an excitement that has proved to be mutual – as we added additional presentations of numerous sold-out shows in our response to popular demand.”
Theatre enthusiasts who will not be able to attend the Festival in New York may enjoy virtual offerings, which will be presented online. A new platform, United Solo Screen, will allow viewers from all around the world to engage with United Solo productions. Among the shows available for streaming are many of the Festival’s current productions, as well as shows by alums and emerging artists.
A complete listing of showtimes and dates, as well as further information, can be found on United Solo’s website http://www.unitedsolo.org – where audience members can purchase their tickets for in-person performances at Theatre Row, or subscribe to a virtual streaming of United Solo Screen.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:
Will Titus
+1 (239) 322-8245
willtitus@unitedsolo.org
http://www.unitedsolo.org
For Immediate Release
August 24, 2021
New York City
United Solo Launches Revolutionary Solo Theatre Streaming Platform
United Solo Theatre Company, creator of the largest solo theatre festival in the world, completed its launch of a new virtual platform dedicated to the genre of solo performances.
“We are thrilled seeing how this ambitious project came together,” said Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director of United Solo. “It truly has been an incredible ride to get to this new virtual chapter, and I cannot wait to see where this will take the world of solo theatre.”
United Solo Screen is a new virtual theatre platform that hosts performances by award-winning artists and new talents alike. Content is available 24/7 for streaming around the world. With a subscription to the All-Access Pass for just $5.99 per month, theatre-goers can access United Solo Screen’s growing library of content from their laptops, phones, or tablets.
“United Solo Screen promises to revolutionize the world of theatre by providing a centralized platform for viewing performances from around the world,” said Will Titus, Director of Operations at United Solo. Indeed, United Solo Screen is the first-of-its kind platform to specialize in solo theatre performances.
Currently, United Solo Screen hosts nearly twenty individual solo performances, along with interviews and documentaries. New content is added to the platform frequently. The virtual nature of United Solo Screen means that the annual United Solo Theatre Festival can continue year-round, as new artists are always invited to apply to have their content featured on United Solo Screen. Artists receive a portion of the revenue generated from viewers’ purchases and rentals of their performances.
“We created United Solo Screen with our artists in mind,” explained Pat McAndrew, Associate Artistic Director at United Solo. “We wanted to offer a way for artists to easily share and promote their work to a global audience, and that is exactly what United Solo Screen provides.”
According to Omar Sangare, the demand for the content on United Solo Screen has been “extraordinary” as new subscribers join the platform daily. The reception has been just as positive from artists.
United Solo Screen continues to welcome new performances, and subsequent rounds of submissions will open on a regular basis in the coming months. Artists, producers, and companies are encouraged to check out the submission page at https://unitedsolo.org/usoloscreen/.
Visit https://screen.unitedsolo.org to experience United Solo Screen.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
###
