FESTIVAL | Step into the Light

The 6th Edition

5 - 20 Sept 2026

6th Edition

ICE - INSIDE COLFAX EAST

Imagine you see the wretched strangers

Their babies at their backs

and their poor luggage

Flooding to the forts, and coasts for transportation

And that you sit as kings in your desires,

Authority quite silent by your brawls

But charted unto them

What would you think: To be thus used?

This is the Stranger’s case

And this your Mountainish inhumanity

~ William Shakespeare

6 - 20 Sept, 2026

Roshni Healing Arts Sanctuary

9709 E Colfax Ave Aurora

Early Bird Ticket until 07/31/26
$15 - General admission
$10 - Discounted ticket for Student, Senior, Veteran, Unemployed or disadvantaged

Gala Reception on 5 Sept

Regular Ticket
$25 - General admission
$15 - Discounted ticket for Student, Senior, Veteran, Unemployed, or disadvantaged

Buy Tickets

6 - 20 September, 2026

World Premier on Sunday, Sept 6 at 2 pm

Thurs, Fri and Sat shows at 7 pm
Sunday shows at 2 pm

"For I was a stranger and you welcomed Me"

Kindness begins at home and sometimes inside a Bus on East Colfax.

Meet Moe, the bus driver of Route 15, who will take you on a journey, where you'll meet the Displaced, the Disabled,

the Divergent, the Disadvantaged, the Despairing/dispaired and the Disruptors.

One thing will stand out in the end. The Kindness. The most precious gift we can offer and receive.

Based on real-life stories of Inspiring Heroes that make up the community, Roshni serves, "Route 15" is a first Immersive Theatre production and a Tribute to them.

Using world dances, comedy, and multidiscipliniary Arts, this poignant tale of Shared Connection and Community

will have you moving, will move you and in the end Lift You Up.

So be sure to buy your ticket, settle in and enjoy the ride on "Route 15".

Deepali

Playwright, Director, Choreographer

Deepali was born and raised in India, where it is very hard to forge a career as a female artist.
Defying the norms, she studied Theatre of the Oppressed and traveled around India teaching and performing before moving to Mumbai to study film & TV production. She freelanced as a film-maker and a writer before moving to Sweden, where she worked with refugee integration projects. She founded "Komma till Tals" an afterschool Performing Arts program for K-12 refugee students.

In Canada, Deepali became a professional dancer/choreographer. She wrote, produced, directed and performed in a first Tibetan-Canadian musical "Lha Gyalo", first Bollywood dance-theatre "Poutine Masala", followed by a few others. She also taught dance to 10000+ participants and created first Bollywood dance flashmob.

In 2015, Deepali moved to Colorado and was cast in "Arabian Nights" at the Aurora Fox. Deeply moved by the social, cultural and economic disparities, she founded ROSHNI on Nov 8, 2016 coinciding it with Mr. Trump becoming the 45th President.

Roshni is an Action from a singular conviction: that 'Art' is not a privilege, but a necessary tool for survival, identity, and reclamation of the marginalized. "Route 15", as Deepali notes, is a tapestry of cultural legacies coming together to find a shared roadmap for growth.

For our audience, seeing their own realities on stage validates their identity in a way traditional theater rarely does"

Through Roshni, Deepali has come a full circle, from the Himalayas to the Rockies.

Ammon Underhill, Playwright

Ammon is a local playwright, director, and actor.

His most recent work has been with Red Rocks Community College's Gateway program on their SCARs project, writing and directing

'Re-Membered', a show that will premiere in June and will tour several Colorado cities.

Ammon is honored to be a part of telling such a beautiful story of community connection and overcoming diverse wars, especially those unseen but felt keenly.

Ben Harnish, Choreographer

Ben grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He has always enjoyed performing.

His first performances were at his birthday parties as a teenager doing magic tricks for his friends. He started training martial arts and dancing when he was 16 years old.

He was introduced into the Colorado Hip Hop community in 2016 where he joined a breakdance crew, the MightyRockMorez. Since then, he has continued to expand his arsenal to circus and flow arts, always open to learning about new cultures and ways of moving.

Ben has been working with Roshni as an actor/dancer/choreographer since 2024.

First for 'Chandni & Leon' which is a school touring show and this year with 'The Queen'

He has also been teaching dance to Roshni youth.

John Pacheco, Playwright

Jeszenne Turner, Stage Manager

John started his writing career at the age of 14, writing a parody for a high school music project.

Since then, he has performed, directed, composed, and written several dozen songs, plays, musicals, and films.

Currently, he works behind the scenes as a Production Manager, Stage Manager, Technical Director, and Carpenter for local theaters. All at the same time. With very little breaks.

He is excited to be part of real-life inspired stories that make up the community of Roshni.

Brian Miller, Light/Set designer

Jeszenne started as an intern in the senior year of High School in 2021 for the New American Stories program and continues to teach children/youth and also be a part of I ARISE, a program that brings together women from diverse walks of life.

Jeszenne is a talented actor and dancer and is currently entering the Junior year of Theatre program in New Jersey. Her passion as she is discovering is in Make-up and how one can become different characters when one uses a bit of paint among other things.

Angela Gumieniak Performer/Choreographer

Brian Miller - Technical Director/Lighting Designer has been an active member of the Colorado Theater community for almost thirty years, with more than 650 design credits during that time.

He has received five Henry Awards nominations, and won the award twice for his work. He proudly serves on the Board of Directors Theatre Guild.

He is delighted to help launch this new venue here at Roshni!

Angela began her dance journey at the Arvada Center for the Arts as a student, teaching assistant and member of their performing company.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the UC at Boulder, where she received her BFA in Dance and a BA in English Literary Studies.

Angela has debuted several of her own works at CU. and has participated in the Nan Giordano Certification Program.

Angela currently performs with Davis Contemporary Dance Company and Nosilla dance Project.

Zoey Stewart, film

Zoey is a dancer, videographer/filmmaker, and DJ who finds inspiration in the intersection of movement and cosmic energy.

Drawing on her background in visual media and rhythm, she acts as a creative bridge, scouting talent and ensuring the production’s vision is brought to life with intention.

She is dedicated to exploring how sound and sight can elevate cultural storytelling within the immersive ensemble of Route 15

Heartfelt Gratitude