Mark Twain Shouldn’t Say Such Things

A Solo Performance by Marc Kudisch | Directed by Dick Scanlan
Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch stars in this compelling solo performance that explores a pivotal—and deeply human—moment in the life of Mark Twain. Co-written by Kudisch and director Dick Scanlan, Mark Twain Shouldn’t Say Such Things is not a nostalgic tribute, but a bold, historically grounded portrait of a man grappling with the complexities of race, celebrity, and conscience. While on a lecture tour to promote the publication of his new novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain—America’s first stand-up comic—is faced with a crisis when touring partner and friend, southern writer and unexpected progressive George Washington Cable leaves the tour without warning. Forced to use his famous wit and charisma to turn the two-hander into a solo act, Twain must confront his own views on friendship and race… and his ways of expressing those views. If you think you know the Icon, get ready to meet the Man. Mark Twain Shouldn’t Say Such Things is part of the Sixth Annual Theatre Aspen Solo Flights Festival. This performance is co-presented with The Wheeler Opera House.

Mireya Mayor: King Kong in My Pocket

Vital Impact – Changemaker Speaker Series
Dr. Mireya Mayor is a former NFL cheerleader turned world-renowned primatologist, National Geographic Explorer, and Emmy-nominated wildlife correspondent. The daughter of Cuban immigrants and a mother of six, she’s redefined what it means to balance science, family, and adventure. Known for her groundbreaking research on endangered lemurs in Madagascar, Dr. Mayor uses her platform to champion conservation and inspire the next generation—especially women and girls—to pursue bold, unconventional paths in science and exploration.This talk is part of the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series, presented in collaboration with Changemaker Talent. These compelling talks blend storytelling with award-winning imagery to bring to life the biodiversity crisis and the people and programs working toward a sustainable future.

Cuentos – Tales from the Latinx World

Cuentos paints a vivid picture of the people and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world with colorful tales from the Caribbean, South America, and the Bronx! From the silly antics of the Puerto Rican anti-hero “Juan Bobo” to the mysterious dealings and powers of the Orishas in a suite of Afro-Cuban stories, these tales are filled with memorable characters, fantastic plots, and positive messages for children. Spanish language words are sprinkled throughout the stories and songs of Cuentos in such a way that young audiences can repeat and retain their sound and meaning. Solid entertainment and a great introduction to the marvelous world of Latino literature and culture.

DoKtor Kaboom: Under Pressure!

Be amazed by the power of pressure—and what it can teach us. Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment, Doktor Kaboom returns with a new show: Under Pressure! This high-energy performance illustrates physical science concepts, which also serve as powerful metaphors for mental and emotional pressure in real life. Known for keeping crowds riveted with interest and rolling with laughter, Doktor Kaboom empowers student volunteers to become heroes of the moment. In Under Pressure!, he acknowledges the very real stresses students may face and offers tools and life lessons to help them navigate challenges with resilience and confidence.

CASEL Competencies (Social and Emotional Learning)

Ronan Donovan: Exploring Our Wild Nature – Wolves, Chimps & Gorillas

Vital Impact – Changemaker Speaker Series
National Geographic Explorer Ronan Donovan is a wildlife biologist turned conservation photographer who uses visual storytelling to explore the lives of social mammals—like wolves, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas—and reveal how closely connected we all are. His work has appeared on NatGeo Wild, PBS Nature, and the upcoming Planet Earth 3. His touring photo exhibition Wolves is captivating audiences across the country. In this Student Speaker Series talk, Ronan reflects on what it means to be a social species—and how we can better understand ourselves by looking at the wild animals we live alongside.This talk is part of the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series, presented in collaboration with Changemaker Talent. These compelling talks blend storytelling with award-winning imagery to bring to life the biodiversity crisis and the people and programs working toward a sustainable future.

Finding North

Created and performed by acclaimed artists David Gonzalez and Daniel Carlton, this powerful theatrical piece weaves music, spoken word, and dramatic performance to tell the story of ordinary people with extraordinary courage on the path to freedom. Through compelling characters and real historical accounts, Finding North explores resilience, resistance, and the deep human desire for dignity. This performance invites middle school students to engage with history in an emotionally resonant and artistically accessible way. Finding North was commissioned by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park to commemorate the opening of the Underground Railroad National Freedom Center.

Miwa Matreyek: Exploring Climate Change through Experimental Animation & Performance

Miwa Matreyek is an animator, designer, and performer currently based in Vancouver BC. She is an Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University in their School for the Contemporary Arts in the Theatre Production and Design area. She has been an internationally touring independent artist since 2010. Coming from a background in animation by way of collage, Matreyek creates live, staged performances where she interacts with her animations as a shadow silhouette, at the intersection of cinematic and theatrical, fantastical and tangible, illusionistic and physical. Her work attempts to make invisible worlds visible while weaving surreal and poetic narratives of creation and destruction, micro and macro worlds, and the tension and conflict between modern humanity and nature.
Myth and Infrastructure is a live performance with projected animation. Her shadow becomes an integral part of her own fantastical animation worlds, as she traverses oceanscapes, cityscapes, and domestic spaces to conjure dreamlike scenes with light and shadow.
Infinitely Yours is an exploration of global warming, the anthropocene, and the vastly changing earth. This piece attempts to physicalize and emotionalize the non-stop barrage of news streaming in through our screens, of environmental transformation that we can’t seem to hit pause or rewind on.