A collaboration of professional theatre artists, faculty members, current students, and CSU alumni, the ON THE BRINK Company explores works representing a variety of underrepresented voices and perspectives. Join directors Saffron Henke, Javier Hurtado, and special guests for three exciting productions. This season, we have an active board of students and faculty who design, tech, dramaturg, and help administrate our season. Every reading will be followed by a post-show reflective discussion to process and discuss the work and the issues each play raises.
For the 2024/2025 season, in partnership with the Magic Rat at The Elizabeth Hotel, the ON THE BRINK Company will produce four staged readings and multiple additional events and outreach activities.
The 2024-25 Season:
The Monologue Festival
Wednesday, October 9, 7 p.m.
Magic Rat, The Elizabeth Hotel
Gamerz or For Sad Dudes Who’ve Considered the Internet When a Shadow is Enough, a reading from The Fun Times Cycle by Zach Helm, directed by Saffron Henke
Friday, October 25, 7 p.m.
University Center for the Arts Large Acting Lab, Rm 242
Credit: Getty Images for Conrad Hotels &
Copyright: 2012 Getty Images
Kicking off our season, we will host acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Zach Helm as part of the ON THE BRINK Teaching and New Work developmental residency. We will do a reading from his five new plays in a cycle, “Fun Times Cycle.” These plays are “drawn in reflection of our current era; darkly comedic, provocative and emotional,” focusing on themes including cyber hacking, the dark web, and gaming culture.
A Staged Reading TBD
November 13, 7 p.m.
Magic Rat, The Elizabeth Hotel
A Staged Reading TBD directed by Dr. Javier Hurtado
Wednesday, March 12, 7 p.m.
Magic Rat, The Elizabeth Hotel
A Staged Reading TBD directed by a CSU student
Wednesday, April 9th, 7 p.m.
Magic Rat, The Elizabeth Hotel
Spring Monologue Festival with 1st and 2nd year students
Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Magic Rat, The Elizabeth Hotel
Led by Professor Saffron Henke, the ON THE BRINK Company is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and offering students the opportunity to explore a diverse array of BIPOC, queer, and women artists and plays from around the world. Goals for the OTBC include sharing with students a professional company creation model, encouraging a curiosity for and practice of reading new plays, exposure to new artists and perspectives, and bringing together faculty, professional artists and students in creative collaboration.
To support transparency and inclusion, the ON THE BRINK Company functions as a company creation class. All decisions are made by a student board, overseen by a faculty Artistic Director. Students volunteering for Board membership wear many hats. They read and select the plays for staged readings and serve as actors, technicians, marketing, and house management support. The experience gives them practical experience of company creation, without the pressure of real-world budgeting and financial goals.
2024-2025 ON THE BRINK Company and Board:
Student Members:
Jesus Castro – Gonzalez
Kendall Condon
Avery Egan
Tiana Fuentes
Sherri Garrett
Kylie Heimlich
Gabi Karl
Garrison Lazzeri
Rene Padilla
DeChi Peterson
Zoey Reischer
Nadia Schaefer
Deneen Smith
Lee Solis
India Thompson
Faculty Members:
Saffron Henke, Founder/Artistic Director
Javier Hurtado, Faculty Director