Roshni, meaning Light in several languages, aspires to work with those at the margins. Tell them stories, but more importantly tell their stories.
OUR VISION
To use Art to promote Inclusion and Empathy.
To share stories with those at the margins but more importantly help them tell their own stories.
WHAT WE DO
We use Art to Uplift, Heal, and Inspire. Through our programs and events, we work to create bridges between minority cultural groups and the mainstream.
OUR COMMUNITY
We work with diverse cultural groups, namely refugees/immigrants, people with disabilities, seniors, and the homeless.
FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
In India, I didn't dance.
In Sweden, I realized that I would like to dance.
In Canada, I became a successful professional dancer
But it was in the US, I realized the power of dance.
When I held my newborn and wondered what kind of world he would grow up in.
-Deepali
TEAM ROSHNI
Anthony Le
Anthony Le is mostly known as “Le Chopz '' born and raised in Aurora grew up studying the hip hop art-from “Breaking”. His mother was born in Vietnam when her father, an American was stationed there during the war. Anthony has performed on the 16th Street Mall as well as at the Buell theatre. Since 2018, Anthony has been a part of Roshni’s Artistic team, when he first performed for a Yo-Yo Ma event produced by Roshni.
He is the teaching Artist for New American Stories and is also a member of the Roshni Dance Ensemble.
Ryan Fergusan
Ryan is an Actor with an MFA in Theatre from Naropa University (2019). He is also a Filmmaker and Writer. His works include a vignette documentary of two Syrian refugee Brothers seeking Asylum in Europe called HOME موطن and a Music Video for a rap song called Best Friend/Hol Me Down.
He is also a Rapper/Singer set to release his first single titled ‘Let You Go’ .
An Athlete — mountain runner, climber and World Explorer, Ryan has lived, volunteered and worked in several countries including Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Egypt and teaching Theatre at the Maru a Pula School Botswana.
Abraham Elahmadi
Abraham Elahmadi is a senior at East Highschool.
He has been acting and modeling out of Denver for over 4 years, including roles in The Diary of Anne Frank and Pippin.
He has acted in numerous short films with members of the Colorado Film School and done professional work for Sesame Street, Macy's, and The 3rd Way Center.
Jenny Newbry
Jenny Newbry holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Florida Atlantic University and is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework ®. She grew up in Centennial, Colorado and fell in love with acting when she was four years old while playing Chicken Little at South Suburban Recreation Center there. Currently living in Portland, Oregon, Jenny intended to bring her solo play, Cinnamon and Cigarettes, to Roshni before the pandemic caused plans to change. In a flurry, she instead wrote a 30-minute play called Growing Up Great, about her awakening within the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, which she streamed during Roshni's inaugural New American Arts Festival in September. Now, she is thrilled to be part of her first Diwali celebration, and honored to continue connecting, collaborating, and learning through Roshni's Bollywood Dance program and Empathy Project.
Awkward Cliff
Awkward Cliff is a Hip hop artist and Songwriter. Beside personal Musical Projects and various singles, he also organizes the Unsigned Artist Showcase, hosted by Denver venue Your Moms House on Pearl.
Through his collective group known as @Killthascene, he works towards bridging culture with art, expression, and music. They’ve organized 10 plus unsigned artist showcases since 2018, and now organize national tours. facebook.com/Killthascene/
ROSHNI BOARD
Beth Morse,
President
Alice Moy
Jenny Barzegar,
Treasurer
Felicia O'Connell, Secretary
Deborah Clendenning
Elom Ayeboua
Rebecca McKenzie
Deepali Lindblom
ART PROMOTES EMPATHY
Dance, besides promoting health and wellbeing, is a delightful medium to come together. It is specifically effective when people come diverse and cultural backgrounds.
Given time, it provides the right stimulus and setting for a better understanding of self and others in the
group. It fosters confidence and encourages dialogue. An opportunity to learn, share information, and
show, that in spite of our differences, we are inextricably connected.
OUR MOTIVATION
Ubuntu!
Once an anthropologist proposed a game to the children of an African tribe. He placed a basket of sweets near a tree and made the children stand 100 meters away.
He told the children to race to the basket and the winner would get all the sweets. At the word, 'go', all the children held hands and ran towards the tree together. There, they divided the sweets equally and gladly gobbled them up.
When the anthropologist asked why they divided up the prize, they replied, Ubuntu! How can one be happy with all the sweets, when the others have none?
Ubuntu according to wikipedia means, 'humanity towards others' or ' the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.
Indeed, I Am because We Are.