Edwin Salas Acosta

Edwin Salas epitomizes dedication to the exploration of puppetry, theater, and dance as avenues for delving into complex and often challenging themes, spanning from the personal to the political. Proficient in the construction of puppets using various materials, educational instruction in puppetry, puppeteering, writing, dancing, and acting, Edwin Salas has cultivated a multifaceted career over the past two decades. With a repertoire that spans across continents, Edwin has showcased his talents in numerous countries including Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Belize, Guatemala, the United States, and Taiwan. Among his notable works are productions such as "Paper Witchcraft: Ecce Uovo," "Histories of the Color of the Earth," "Cocorí," "Obraztov's Nightmare," "Traveling Museum of Living Beings," and "Alicia's Golden Moments," to name a few. Collaborations include projects with esteemed organizations such as the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra and the Kaput Project.Edwin's creative endeavors extend beyond traditional performances. In 2015, he authored "Direct Action Puppet Mechanisms," a comprehensive guide to puppetry mechanisms. Subsequent years saw the premieres of original works like "Maya Genocide: Take and Eat the Eucharist of Evil" and "Algorithm Peter Pan," showcasing his commitment to innovative storytelling. Relocating to Asheville, North Carolina, Edwin continued to enrich the local arts scene, collaborating with organizations such as ACDT and participating in the Fringe Festival, where he received the prestigious "Out of Rules" award. His poignant production, "Seven Deadly Sins in the Border," garnered acclaim for its exploration of contemporary social issues. In a deeply personal performance, Edwin unveiled "Dracula Killed My Mom" in 2020, which garnered significant recognition at the Fringe Festival. His expertise in political theater with puppets led to invitations as a guest teacher at renowned institutions like the O'Neill Theater Center and Maryland University. Parallel to his theatrical pursuits, Edwin embarked on a venture into toy art, drawing inspiration from his childhood experiences and global travels. His toy lines, including "Salas Wars" and "Horror Figures," offer a unique blend of dark humor and pop culture, earning recognition at prominent galleries and events across the United States. Recent accolades include the 2024 McCullough Fellowship, which supports his innovative Virtual Reality project in collaboration with the Museum of Art of Asheville and the University of North Carolina. Despite his multifaceted career, Edwin remains dedicated to his academic pursuits, currently pursuing a degree in Digital Media with a minor in Computer Science. In the past six years, Edwin has also been an integral part of the Asheville Creative Arts theater puppets company, contributing his talents to enriching their productions. Currently, he is involved in creating multimedia performances catered towards early years audiences, set to debut in June at the New Media Department exhibition space at UNCA. This new venture underscores his versatility and ongoing dedication to exploring innovative avenues of artistic expression.