Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

From Boland Hall to Broadway, Colleagues and Friends Produce ‘How to Dance in Ohio’

Thursday, December 7, 2023, By Kim Infanti
Share
alumniCenter on Disability and InclusionCollege of Visual and Performing ArtsSchool of EducationTaishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education

Two Syracuse University alumni are opening their first Broadway musical as lead producers, “How to Dance in Ohio,” and the Dec. 5 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.

Individuals at panel discussion of How to Dance in Ohio

Among those attending the Dec. 5 preview performance in New York City were, from left, Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp; Alumnus and Producer Ben Holtzman ’13; Alumnus and Producer Sammy Lopez ’13; Professor Christine Ashby; Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education Beth Myers and Chancellor Kent Syverud.

Syracuse University’s Broadway Series is hosted by the alumni engagement and annual giving team based out of New York City’s Lubin House. The evening began with a lively dinner and panel discussion at renowned NYC eatery Sardi’s. Panelists included Holtzman and Lopez, along with Bob Hupp, artistic director at Syracuse Stage, and Beth Myers, Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and executive director of the Taishoff Center on Inclusive Education in the School of Education. Christine Ashby G’01, G’07, G’08, professor of inclusive special education and disability studies in the School of Education, moderated an important discussion about how “How to Dance in Ohio” made its way to Broadway, and how Syracuse University is paving the way for inclusivity.

“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.

The set of "How to Dance in Ohio"

The set of “How to Dance in Ohio.”

“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, Ohio, 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.

“That’s why we knew this show needed to exist. It’s because it hasn’t existed before,” said Lopez, referencing that the roles of the seven autistic young adults are played by actors who identify as autistic. The production offers many accommodations for the audience to fully experience the musical, from light-canceling sunglasses to special headphones with self-adjustable volume. This production and Syracuse University offer opportunities to experience Broadway and life in general to those who were previously excluded. Everyone feels welcome.

“How to Dance in Ohio” debuted at Syracuse Stage in 2022 but was forced to close early due to COVID-19. The show opens Sunday at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway.

  • Author

Kim Infanti

  • Recent
  • Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Diane Stirling
  • After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Chris Velardi
  • Back-to-School Shopping: More Expensive and Less Variety of Back-to-School Items
    Tuesday, July 29, 2025, By Daryl Lovell
  • How New Words Enter Our Language: A Linguistics Expert Explains
    Friday, July 25, 2025, By Jen Plummer
  • Impact Players: Sport Analytics Students Help Influence UFL Rules and Strategy
    Friday, July 25, 2025, By Matt Michael

More In Arts & Culture

How New Words Enter Our Language: A Linguistics Expert Explains

From “yeet” to “social distancing,” new words and phrases constantly emerge and evolve in American English. But how do these neologisms—newly coined terms—gain acceptance and become part of mainstream dialect? We interviewed Christopher Green, associate professor of linguistics in the…

Art Museum Acquires Indian Scrolls Gifted by SUNY Professor

The University Art Museum has received a monumental gift of more than 80 traditional Indian patachitra scrolls, significantly expanding its collection of South Asian art and material culture. The scrolls were donated by Geraldine Forbes, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emerita at…

Architecture Students’ Project Selected for Royal Academy Exhibition

In a prestigious international honor, a project by three students from the School of Architecture has been selected for inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025, currently on view in London. The work, titled “Evolving an Urban Ecology,” was…

Vintage Over Digital: Alumnus Dan Cohen’s Voyager CD Bag Merges Music and Fashion

Bucking the trend of streaming music platforms and contrary to what one might expect of a member of his generation, musician Dan Cohen ’25 prefers listening to his favorite artists on compact disc (CD) and record players. His research and…

VPA Announces New Drama Department Chair

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) has appointed Eleanor Holdridge as the new chair of the Department of Drama effective July 1. Holdridge comes to Syracuse University from the Catholic University of America, where she served as professor…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.