From Boland Hall to Broadway, Colleagues, and Friends Produce “How to Dance in Ohio”
Two Syracuse University alumni are opening their first Broadway musical as lead producers, How to Dance in Ohio, and the Dec. 5, 2023, preview performance included close to 200 Syracuse University leaders, alumni, parents and friends.
Producers Ben Holtzman ’13 and Sammy Lopez ’13, co-founders of P3 Productions, are musical theater graduates of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and met as freshman year roommates in Boland Hall. Sixteen Syracuse University alumni are involved with the Broadway production. Holtzman is the protégé of Broadway titan Hal Prince.
“Autistic people can be in college. Autistic people can be on Broadway. Syracuse University should be really proud of the work that’s happened over the last 70 years at our university to make that possible.”
Professor Beth Myers
“Autistic people can be in college. Autistic people can be on Broadway. Syracuse University should be really proud of the work that’s happened over the last 70 years at our university to make that possible,” said Myers, referencing the work of the Taishoff Center and the Center for Disability and Inclusion. Syracuse University’s work in disability awareness and inclusion is groundbreaking in the field of higher education.
How to Dance in Ohio, based on the award-winning HBO documentary, explores the need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, OH, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a challenge that breaks open their routines and sets off hilarious and heartbreaking encounters with love, stress, excitement, and independence.
“How to Dance in Ohio” is a story about people standing on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing their hopes and fears, ready to take a very big first step—and dance …
