Isabel and the Runaway Train
TEACHING S.V. SURVIVOR SUPPORT THROUGH MUSICAL THEATER
Photos by Jason Ferenczy
Our Mission…
is to normalize helpful responses to sexual violence (S.V.) survivors through musical theatre licenses.
WATCH THE ISABEL CREATOR SHARE OUR VISION AT A LIVE ISABEL PRODUCTION
Our Method…
is to offer video - based content licenses and live theatrical production licenses to communities who want to model helpful responses to sexual violence (S.V.) survivors.
More About Isabel
FAQs
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Isabel and the Runaway Train is a musical. The full musical theater production can come to life in your community through partnership with your local theatre. Alternatively, our professional Austin - based production footage can also be streamed to your local community through a video - based content license.
Whether through in person or video - based licenses, the Isabel community teaches people how to support survivors of sexual violence in everyday life.
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The Isabel script and score were written by a survivor of sexual violence for supporters of survivors of sexual violence. She wrote Isabel because she noticed that it was hard to be helpful and that the average person did not know how to do it.
She first imagined the show in 2012 after being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While trying to describe what her symptoms felt like, she said, “It feels like I am suddenly hit by a train and then I’m in a different world.” She spent six years writing the script and score, while also investing in multiple forms of therapeutic treatment. She went on to found the professional Isabel community in 2018 in Austin, TX. Since then, Isabel has been produced twice in Austin, TX (2018 and 2022) and once in San Angelo, TX (2023). More importantly, the Isabel creator has seen tremendous improvement in her own mental health, so much so that she lost her official PTSD diagnosis in 2022.
Now, the show is available for license to theaters in the United States. Video - based licenses are available worldwide.
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You can bring an Isabel production to your community virtually or in person. Scroll down to schedule a 15 minute call to discuss options.
You can license our official Isabel footage and show it to your community, or you can connect us to your local theater to discuss licensing the script and score for an in - person production.
Not ready for a call? You can sign up for our email list to get updates or subscribe to us on YouTube or Instagram at the links below.
TESTIMONIALS
from Isabel “Passengers” (aka audience members)
“The opportunity to walk in [Isabel’s] shoes through this immersive theater experience was life-changing.”
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“I feel more comfortable discussing [s.v.] because I feel I can do so in a way that is more appropriate and respectful of survivors.” - Isabel Passenger
“I am already invested in improving and working on my mental health, and this was such a great boost and so validating to those with PTSD.” - Isabel Passenger
“It made a big and positive impression on my husband who’s been struggling with understanding the #MeToo movement.” - Isabel Passenger
“The story and family dynamics in the show were virtually identical to the most difficult family [therapy] case I ever worked on.” - Isabel Passenger
“I felt like I better understood how a [s.v.] victim actually feels and goes through the steps of healing; not some overly dramatized tv version of a person, but how a real person would react and handle situations.” - Isabel Passenger
PREVIEW ISABEL
Enjoy a complimentary screening of the first 15 minutes of Isabel and the Runaway Train below.
How To License Isabel
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You can license our official Isabel footage and stream it for your community. This package includes access to the footage, a facilitator’s guide, and a messaging guide. Scroll down to schedule a call with our team to learn more. If you are part of a S.V. advocacy org that works directly with survivors, ask about our pay what you can options for licensing during your call.
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You can license the Isabel script and score to produce at your community theater or school theater program. Schedule a call with our team below to learn more. Ask about our pay what you can options for licensing during your call. Pay what you can is available to S.V. advocacy orgs that work directly with survivors and partner with a local theater to produce the show.
Production Package:
Official Isabel Script
Official Isabel Lead Sheets / Score (for live musicians)
Performance Backing Tracks / Sound Effect Tracks (for recorded music)
Practice Tracks (Original Cast Recordings, access for cast / leadership)
2022 ATX Premiere Footage (opportunity to screen this privately as a sponsor fundraiser)
Front of House Programming Guidelines
Sample Sponsorship Pitch Deck.
Supplemental Support:
Virtual Visits from Composer/Playwright available for an additional fee.
Filming and Streaming Rights can be negotiated for an additional fee.
Schedule a call with our team below to discuss your options and learn more.
Photo by Jason Ferenczy
PLOT SUMMARY OF ISABEL AND THE RUNAWAY TRAIN BY ANNA WESTBROOK
This 10 - cast member show tells the story of a 16-year-old girl named Isabel who runs away from home and finds herself trapped on a magical train full of people who won't stop running - aka “The Runaway Train.”
Throughout the 2 - hour jazz / folk dramedy, we learn that Isabel is the only person on board who remembers her own name. It is up to her to stop the train and save the other passengers (including a Porter, several Choir Members, and a mysterious Writer who may or may not be dead).
However, the relationships between Isabel, the passengers and the evil Conductor turn out to be much more complicated than she originally thought. She soon discovers that in order to get off the train, she will have to take a hard look in the mirror and lean on her family to process an unaddressed history of trauma.
Learn to discuss sexual violence, invest in your own mental health, and support sexual violence survivors by bringing this show to life in your local theater or licensing and streaming our footage.