Arts Alive Original Musicals
Where Creativity Finds A Voice
For over a decade, Arts Alive has helped students learn, create, and perform. It’s a place where imagination grows, confidence takes root, and original theatre comes to life.
🌟 About Arts Alive Original Musicals
For 13 years, Arts Alive has written and produced 15 original short musicals through our summer camps. Each musical is created specifically for students and performed by them at the end of each session. These projects give young artists hands‑on experience in storytelling, character development, music, and collaboration.
As our program grew, so did our creative ambition. In 2025, Arts Alive expanded into full‑length original musical development, ushering in a new era of professionally crafted, original theatre created and premiered at The Ohio Theatre.
A Christmas Carol: An Arts Alive Musical
Our first major step into full‑length work was
A Christmas Carol: An Arts Alive Musical, an original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved story.
This production marked a true turning point for Arts Alive. For the first time, we:
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Brought together a creative team of adults to write a full script and original score
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Welcomed adult performers into the program, expanding beyond youth participation
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Created a fully intergenerational cast, with performers ranging from ages 5 to 70+
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United the community around a brand‑new show written and developed right here at home
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United the community around a brand‑new piece of theatre written and developed right here at home
The world premiere took place at The Ohio Theatre, filling the historic space with brand‑new music, fresh storytelling, and community pride. The production was a resounding success, energizing audiences and sparking the same question night after night:
“What are you writing next?”
✍️ The Future of Writing Original Musicals
The success of A Christmas Carol opened the door to a new chapter. Arts Alive is now developing its next original musical — a project that will once again bring together students, adults, and community artists in a collaborative, intergenerational process.
Our future goals include:
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Creating additional full‑length original musicals
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Offering hands‑on opportunities in writing, composing, and new‑work development
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Hosting readings, workshops, and community feedback sessions
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Premiering new works on The Ohio Theatre stage
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Continuing to nurture local talent and celebrate creative expression
Each new musical strengthens our community, gives performers the chance to originate roles, and brings new stories to life — stories created here, but designed for stages everywhere.
❤️ A Creative Home for New Theatre
Arts Alive Original Musicals embody our belief that creativity thrives when people of all ages are invited to imagine, collaborate, and share their voice. With 15 original short musicals and one full‑length premiere behind us...and new full‑length works on the horizon...we’re building a legacy of original theatre created in the Mohican region and crafted for audiences far beyond it.
🎵 “I CHOOSE JOY”
“I Choose Joy” was written during our 2019 Arts Alive Drama Camp as the finale of the original musical created that week. The song became a powerful moment in the show, reflecting on the struggles we all face and the strength that comes from choosing joy day by day.
During the pandemic, Sally Hollenbach, Director of The Ohio Theatre, recorded the song as a message of encouragement and hope during an incredibly difficult time.
We hope this song brings you the same comfort and inspiration it brought to our community.
Performed by: Sally Hollenbach
Mixed by: Curt Young
Words & Music: Sally Hollenbach, Jenny Carroll & Arts Alive 2019 Drama Camp
©2019 Find Your Voice Productions, LLC
Arts Alive: Where Creativity Finds a Voice and New Theatre Begins