Happy New Year!
A Letter from our Artistic Director...
Welcome to LAUNCH PAD!
As we embark upon on 21st year, I want to thank our artists, donors, and audiences who have helped to shape the last two decades of this program. During this time, LAUNCH PAD brought countless innovative new plays to life, empowering both students and playwrights to learn alongside one another in a collaborative, professional, and compassionate setting.
We begin 2026 with our May Preview Production of Standing Still, written by acclaimed playwright Melinda Lopez and co-commissioned by Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Set in a contemporary yoga studio, six ordinary women try to stay centered in a time of social unrest. Originally conceived as a what-if-it-happened-here, Melinda's play has a newfound relevance, examing the costs of what it means to show up in extraordinary circumstances.
There will be much more to come as the year progresses. Please check back often for updates and profiles on all our artists!
If you have any questions about LAUNCH PAD, please reach out to us at LAUNCHPAD@theaterdance.ucsb
You can subscribe to our mailing list by clicking this LINK.
All my best,
Risa
In The News...
LAUNCH PAD: Nurturing Empathy Through Theatre
Monica Lenches interviews Risa Brainin
(click here for the interview)
"...[my friend] Wendy invited me to experience the brilliant work of Risa Brainin
and her UCSB students. Each time, I was moved not just by the talent of these
students, but by their kindness, respect, and emotional maturity..."
Sara Sadjadi receives the 2025 Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award
Our dear friend and colleague, Shirley Jo Finney, passed away on October 10, 2023. Shirley Jo was a bright light in our lives. She first came to direct for the Department of Theater and Dance in 2014. Over the next eight years, she returned several times to teach and direct. Her final project with us was the LAUNCH PAD Preview Production of Candrice Jones' A Medusa Thread. Shirley Jo was a wonderful teacher and gifted director. She brought out the best in absolutely everyone. Those who had the honor of knowing Shirley Jo miss her dearly. We’re proud that her legacy lives on in the Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award honoring a deserving acting or directing student who exemplifies Shirley Jo’s joyous spirit, generosity, and talent. This year’s recipient is Sara Sadjadi.
Sara Sadjadi is a 2025 UCSB graduate with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Iranian Studies. Sara performed beautifully in many roles at UCSB, including Ashlee in Dance Nation, Lou in LAUNCH PAD's Strange Birds, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing with Naked Shakes. Throughout her time at UCSB, Sara was an outstanding student who took great pride in meticulously preparing every assignment and every performance. The joy, generosity of spirit, and dedication to her art mirrored the many great qualities of Shirley Jo. We are excited to share that Sara will be in the Acting Apprentice Company at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for six months starting in the Fall, and will continue her acting career in Chicago immediately following. We wish her much success!
Shirley Jo Finney in rehearsal for The White Card at UCSB.
Sara Sadjadi. (photo credit: Chris Orwell)
Read about the 2025 LAUNCH PAD Amplify Reading Series Festival
The Current, April 23, 2025 / Article by Shelly Leach
Summer Series Playwright Lia Romeo
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominee
(John Gassner Award)
Congratulations, Lia!
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Dramatic Publishing: publisher
and exclusive licensing of
LAUNCH PAD’s Alone, Together Festival
of short plays and monologues!
If you are interested in licensing the Alone, Together compilation,
please contact CustomerService@dpcplays.com or visit their website.
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