Chasing His Impossible Dream
Year: 2025
Award Level: Silver
Award Winner(s): Duke University
Award: Circle of Excellence
Category: Writing | Profile (Less than 1,000 words)
From the Nominator
Actor Aaron Lazar is traveling with his one-person show about his diagnosis with ALS. His story is, of course, gripping. He finds a way to tell the story without slipping into melodrama or worship. Including his best friend—also an alumnus—allowed the two to tell the story without much imposition from the writer.
From the Judges
Clean, restrained writing balances Broadway career details with the emotional weight of an ALS diagnosis. Strong reporting captures Aaron Lazar's psychological transformation through revealing anecdotes. The "Impossible Dream" framing creates strong thematic resonance. By focusing on Lazar's response rather than his disease, this rises above the typical alumni profile.