Isabel and the Runaway Train

TEACHING S.V. SURVIVOR SUPPORT THROUGH MUSICAL THEATER

 

Photos by Jason Ferenczy


Our Mission

Normalize helpful responses to S.V. (sexual violence) survivors.

Our Method

Model those helpful responses through musical theater.

  • Isabel and the Runaway Train is a musical theater production that can come to life in your community through partnership with your local theatre. Our high-quality production footage can also be streamed to your local community through an online license.

    Whether through in person or online licenses, the Isabel community teaches people how to support survivors of sexual violence in daily life.

  • The Isabel script and score were written BY a survivor of sexual violence FOR supporters of survivors of sexual violence. Because she knows that it’s hard to be helpful.

    The creator of Isabel imagined the show in 2012 after being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She founded the Isabel community in 2018 in Austin, TX. Since then, Isabel has been produced twice in Austin, TX and once in San Angelo, TX. The show is available for license to community theaters. The online footage is available for streaming license throughout the world.

  • You can bring an Isabel production to your community virtually or in person.

    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.

    You can sign up for our email list to get an invite to our quarterly public livestreams of our production footage.

    You can also follow us on YouTube at Youtube.com/IsabelandtheRunawayTrain.

About Isabel

Watch the Isabel Creator share our vision with our 2022 crowd in Austin, TX.

TESTIMONIALS

from isabel passengers (aka audience members)

The opportunity to walk in [Isabel’s] shoes through this immersive theater experience was life-changing.
— Isabel Passenger
    • “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


Photo by Jason Ferenczy

License Isabel

PLOT SUMMARY

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.

  • License our official Isabel footage and stream it for your community. This package includes access to the footage a facilitator’s guide, and a marketing guide. Scroll down to schedule a call with our team to learn more.

  • Production Support: 

    • 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 Rights can be negotiated for an additional fee.

WATCH ISABEL

SAMPLE VIDEO

Watch the first 15 minutes of Isabel and the Runaway Train. Click for full credits.

 

ATTEND OUR NEXT LIVESTREAM

WE LIVESTREAM OUR FULL FOOTAGE QUARTERLY

Our next streaming event is on Friday, September 5th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CST.

 

Interested in Licensing

SCHEDULE A 15 MINUTE CALL