ON THE BRINK Company
In response, since 2020, Colorado State University Theatre has curated and hosted a reading series of plays that address hot topic themes – issues that have pushed our culture to the brink and reveal new possibilities. CSU Theatre’s ON THE BRINK Company is a collaboration between professional theatre artists, faculty, students, and alumni exploring works representing underrepresented voices.
Founded and led by CSU Theatre Professor and Interim Director of Theatre Saffron Henke, ON THE BRINK Company (OTBC) is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and offering students the opportunity to explore plays by and about BIPOC, queer, and women artists from around the world.
OTBC functions as a class (TH 400) to support transparency and inclusion. A new element this year is the addition of a student board overseen by a faculty artistic director. Student-volunteer board members wear many administrative hats, including selecting plays for the Company’s staged Reading Series and serving as actors, designers, technicians, dramaturgs, marketing, and house management support.
The 2024-2025 Season:
Join directors Saffron Henke and Javier Hurtado and special guests for unique productions throughout the year. Readings are followed by a facilitated post-show reflective discussion to process and discuss the work and issues raised by the play.
In partnership with the Magic Rat at The Elizabeth Hotel, the ON THE BRINK Company produces staged readings, additional events, and outreach activities. Unless otherwise noted, all ON THE BRINK Company events, including the Reading Series, occur at 7 p.m. at The Magic Rat in The Elizabeth Hotel.
- Monologue festival with third and fourth-year students
October 9, 2024
The Magic Rat/The Elizabeth Hotel
- FEATURE EVENT: Gamerz or For Sad Dudes Who’ve Considered the Internet When a Shadow is Enough
Wednesday, October 23, 7 p.m., Large Acting Lab, Rm 242 at the UCA
A reading from The Fun Times Cycle by Zach Helm
Directed by Saffron Henke
NOTE: Zach Helm's appearance was moved from 10/25 to 10/23
READ MORE ABOUT ZACH HELM AND GAMERZ
- Staged Reading: Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Saffron Henke
Wednesday, November 13, 7 p.m. at The Magic Rat/Elizabeth HotelSet in New York City in 1905, the play follows Esther, a young, talented Black seamstress who spends her days sewing saucy lingerie to spice up the love lives of wealthy clients, yet spends her own nights alone.
- March 12, 2025: TBA LGBTIA+ play,directed by Dr. Javier Hurtado
- April 9, 2025: TBA future-themed play
- May 7, 2025: Spring monologue festival with first and second-year students
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
