ALBUM OVERVIEW
The Story…
This 11-track album 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.
Isabel is the only person on board who remembers her own name and 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 maltreatment, invest in your own mental health, and support #metoo survivors by downloading this soundtrack and experiencing Isabel's musical journey to healing.
Available through all major streaming platforms
Click to listen to "You're Fine Dear" from Anna Westbrook’s Isabel and the Runaway Train.
Students can host an official Listen to Isabel Event!
Motivate your campus or community to support survivors.
Practice empathizing with a survivor of sexual maltreatment by listening to and discussing songs from a contemporary jazz/folk musical starring an imaginary character named Isabel.
Download your FREE Listen to Isabel Event Starter Kit and then book a FREE discovery call with Isabel creator Anna Westbrook to discuss event options.
MEET THE MUSICAL TEAM
Leading behind the scenes…
Composer - Anna Westbrook
Audio Product Manager (Recording) & Co-Arranger - JaJuan Sanabria
Recording Engineer - Curtis Igunbor (MC Righteous)/CurtLand Studios
Audio Product Managers (Mixing) - Anna Westbrook & Kurt Lammers
Mixing Engineer - Kurt Lammers
On the Album (in order of appearance)…
Anna Westbrook - vocals (The Writer/Faith)
Emily Ownby - vocals (Choir Member 1/Hope)
Cassandra Elese - vocals (Choir Member 2/Melody)
Emma Elizabeth Parsons - vocals (Choir Member 3/Harmony)
Daniel Radin - vocals (Choir Member 4/Steve)
Mykkaela Garcia - vocals (Isabel)
Sierra Boudoin - vocals (Isabel’s Mother)
Christopher Vance - vocals (Isabel’s Father)
Jacob Wilk - vocals (The Porter/Jess)
Fernando Velez - voice (The Conductor)
Alec Bainter - acoustic guitar/electric guitar
Nick Andrews - electric guitar
Photos by Karen Oden or submitted by 2018 Isabel Cast.
ANNA’S NOTE
Photo by Karen Oden.
Anna’s Note to Isabel Supporters Upon the Release of the Isabel Album:
Published September 8, 2019
Anna Westbrook
CEO, Trainer, Playwright & Composer
Creator of Isabel and the Runaway Train
It is finally here. The soundtrack I have been waiting to hear since I first considered writing Isabel waaaaaay back in 2012.
Need a recap? Here's a quick summary of my story...
In 2012 I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and I felt an overwhelming need to explain what that meant. The analogy that came to mind was that having an episode of PTSD felt like getting hit by a train. My strongest desire in moments like that was to run away. So I imagined a world with a train full of people who were running away from trauma, and a main character named Isabel who had to learn to stop the train.
I began to write the Isabel script and score, hoping to find peace with my story by creating something new. And I succeeded.
Who would have thought that I could keep the momentum of this grassroots program going long enough to create this product?
You did. That's why you've been following along. Whether you knew me before I imagined the Isabel community, or met me in 2015 during our workshop stage, whether you met me when I moved to Texas and brought my dreams of producing this show with me in 2016, or whether you attended our 2018 show or a 2019 workshop, you believed.
My hope for this album is that it helps you feel validated. That you know your emotions, as complex as they may be, are okay to express. That you know that people will hear you. Because so many people have heard me.
Thanks for celebrating healing with me.
Anna Westbrook
CEO, Trainer, Playwright & Composer
Creator of Isabel and the Runaway Train
Watch this mini-documentary to get a behind the scenes look at the Isabel soundtrack.