The Premiere Performing Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen's Home for Bold Performances
Aspen Fringe Festival
Honors Aspen Hall of Fame Legend
& AFF Angel
Mead Metcalf
Frank Mead Metcalf
Founder of Aspen’s legendary
Crystal Palace Theatre for 51 years, died peacefully at his residence in Sedona, Arizona, on Nov 14 2025
He was 93.
Read the Aspen TImes Article HERE
Our thoughts and condolences
go out to his loving wife Diane
& his family and friends.
I was privileged to perform at the Crystal Palace for it's final season in 2008.
According to his longtime friend and general manager of 23 years, Nina Gabianelli, Mead employed more than 300 people, some of whom went on to perform on Broadway and more than 2 million people attended Crystal Palace performances over its five-decade operation.
Mead brought so many talented performers to this valley that stayed to call Aspen home. His influence performing arts in the valley will continue for decades after the Chrystal Placece closed its door deeply the performing arts.
THANK YOU MEAD !
Your memory and impact lives on...
- David Ledingham AFF Executive Director
SAVE THE DATE
Aspen Fringe Festival's
18th annual JUNEFEST
JUNE 12-14 2026
@ The Wheeler Opera House
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS
SUPPORT BOLD PERFORMANCES
"The festival seemed to be a lighting rod for the community"
- Simon Stephens
(AFF 2022 TONY Award winning Playwright-in-Residence)
Who we are
At AFF we believe great art heals social and cultural divides,
promotes tolerance, empathy and inspires people to make
a positive contribution to society.
To that end our mission is to present exceptional arts
and artists and provide opportunities for local performers,
artists, and audiences to enrich their lives
through participation.
From groundbreaking premieres to thought-provoking
discussions, the festival continues to make headlines for
pushing the boundaries of creativity and bringing
together a community of artists and art enthusiasts.
Explore the latest press coverage and discover why the
Aspen Fringe Festival is celebrated as one of the most
exciting events in the world of fringe arts.
Supporting the Aspen Fringe Festival (AFF) is your chance to be part of something extraordinary. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, become a sponsor, or join our board, your involvement helps sustain and grow our vibrant community of artists and audiences.
AFF Off-Broadway!
AFF 2019's Winner of the Fringe First Award ANGRY ALAN
Don’t miss the bold inaugural production at Studio Seaview,
Off-Broadway’s newest venue. Previews begin May 23.
ANGRY ALAN was AFF's 1st new play commission in 2017.
It was written by Penelope Skinner (Lyonesse: AFF 2024) & created with AFF Co-Artistic Director Donald Sage Mackay, who starred as Roger.
The Play went on to be performed in India, Paris, London, Rome, Estonia, Brazil, Canada and won the Fringe First Award at the renown
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
It was optioned by NBC Universal to develop into a TV Series.
AFF JuneFest 17 6/13-14
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