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.
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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.
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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.
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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 an invite to our quarterly public livestreams of our production footage.
You can also follow us on YouTube at Youtube.com/IsabelandtheRunawayTrain.
About Isabel
OUR COMMUNITY MISSION
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
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.
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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 marketing 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 Rights can be negotiated for an additional fee.
Schedule a call with our team below to discuss your options and learn more.
Interested in Licensing?
SCHEDULE A 15 MINUTE CALL
WATCH ISABEL
SAMPLE VIDEO
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.
Tickets are available on a pay what you can basis.