United Solo Festival Closes Spring 2026 Season with Outstanding Performance Awards

The United Solo Theatre Festival celebrated the close of its 2026 Spring Season by announcing awards honoring exceptional solo performances from its landmark 20th season on Sunday, April 12 at Theatre Row on 42nd Street, in the heart of New York City’s Theatre District.

The announcement took place before a packed house of distinguished guests, including Broadway luminaries such as Tony Award nominees Nancy Opel and Mary Testa, Broadway and concert artist George Dvorsky, and lyricist, writer, and director Mark Waldrop, among others.

The festive day began with the final performance of “Contradiction of the Southern Soul” by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Sally Mayes, who also served as the festival’s Spring 2026 Artist-in-Residence. In her acceptance speech Mrs. Mayes said: “United Solo gave me an amazing opportunity. They didn’t just offer me a show they offered me a residency. Getting to do this has been amazing because I’ve been talking about it for years, but nobody’s ever seen it and I think they’re surprised. Festivals like United Solo are important because it gives you a place to have your voice. Also, just to get the opportunity to tell these stories, it was really nice to get in front of people.” To the emerging artists in the audience, she said: “Keep going! You just have to keep going and eventually you’ll figure it out and it’s a lovely feeling. Keep writing. I’m going to keep writing until I drop…”

Sally Mayes was among the evening’s most recognized artists. “Contradiction of the Southern Soul,” written and performed by Mayes and directed by Brett Cullen, received multiple honors, including Best Production, the All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award, and Best Actress. Broadway veteran Rosemary Loar earned Best Musical for her work “The Sisters: Jersey Edition.”

Festival Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare commented: “The sky is not the limit—we go above and beyond. Not only can we journey around the moon, but we also travel to the unique places and stories our artists bring to the stage. Each solo performer expands our awareness and stretches our imagination, and for this we are truly grateful.”

Following the performance, festival award winners were announced. The celebration concluded with a lively Broadway Karaoke party hosted by Ms. Lavinia, where artists, friends, and attendees gathered to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and take the stage.

In addition to stage awards, the festival presented the United Solo Screen Award for Excellence to Lavinia! – a short solo film by Susan Campanaro. This award recognizes outstanding video work featured on the festival’s streaming platform, United Solo Screen.

As the Spring 2026 season concludes, United Solo is now accepting submissions for its Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 seasons at Theatre Row. Artists and companies may apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/apply/nyc-fall2026-spring2027/

The full list of award winners for the 2026 Spring United Solo Festival includes:

Best Production: “Contradiction of the Southern Soul” performed by Sally Mayes

Best One-Man Show: “The Honorable Herbert Peabody” by Kirk McGee

Best One-Woman Show: “Stage Mama” by Rheagan Wallace

Best Actress: Sally Mayes in “Contradiction of the Southern Soul”

Best Encore: “Mounting Washington” by Penny Sterling

Best Musical: “Three Sisters NJ Edition” by Rosemary Loar

Best Comedy: “Once Upon a Wall Street” by Jerry Topitzer

Best Autobiographical Show: “Me, Myself & Other” by Diana Romero

Audience Choice Award: “Once Upon a Wall Street” by Jerry Topitzer

Best New York Premiere: “She Speak in Tongues” by Lila Kay

Best Festival Debut: “Functions” by Anton Spivack

All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “Contradiction of the Southern Soul”

United Solo Screen Excellence Award: “Lavinia!” by Susan Campanaro

*UNITED SOLO is the world’s largest solo theatre festival. For twenty seasons, it has presented the very best in solo performance from around the globe. Founded by Omar Sangare with the mission of uniting a diverse community of artists passionate about storytelling in all its forms, the festival has grown into an internationally recognized platform for singular voices. From its home base at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City’s Theatre District, United Solo has presented nearly 2,000 productions. With festivals held each fall and spring, it continues to champion both emerging and established artists, bringing powerful and distinctive stories to audiences in New York City and beyond.