Music, Lyrics, and Book by:

Mark Levine

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Artistically Developed by:

American Legacy Theatre

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Arrangement by:

Eric Knechtges

Playwrights for Change is a program made possible in part through the support of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation and Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

Producer’s Note

We at American Legacy Theatre (ALT) are thrilled to share the Ohio premiere of HIGHER by Mark Levine, arranged by Eric Knechtges, and developed by ALT in this space courtesy of our community partner, the Contemporary Arts Center. WELCOME!!

Over the course of dozens of free workshops for our community, attendees have asked us to address the topic of the opioid epidemic. While this is a challenging topic, the relevance is unquestionable. This is one way we empower voices for equity.

In HIGHER, Mark helps us better understand how the same sequence of experiences can lead to two completely different realities. His refinement of the work since its world premiere in 2021 has strengthened the storytelling, deepened the characters, and I believe will improve its significance for you and our region.

Thank you for taking the first critical step in changing the landscape of our community. The next step is to engage fully. As difficult as it may be, I encourage you to find one thing each character says that speaks to who you are and one thing that challenges what you believe. By moving outside of our comfort zone as individuals, we provide space to build empathy, and to grow as a community.

ALT is producing HIGHER as a marquee production to be developed in our In Communities program Playwrights for Change, supported in part by Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation. This program has me work 1:1 each week alongside a playwright who has an idea on how to engage all voices in a community-identified challenge. The work is further developed through two public-facing workshops on its way to being published. From there we look to produce its world premiere. 

We are producing HIGHER again to exemplify how the artistic process doesn’t stop with a first production. We are producing HIGHER because it is critical for the community, as shared by the community. We are producing HIGHER to reduce stigma around addiction and mental health services. We are producing HIGHER to save lives.

I also encourage you to stretch your perspective on what theatre can be. Do one thing you've never done during a show experience: post a picture on social media, share your thoughts with someone you don't know, get up and dance, etc.

This is theatre for social change. This is #YourNationalTheatre.

Playwright’s Note

HIGHER is a love story.

A tremendous amount of love went into creating every aspect of this show. And the story itself, at its core, is a story about love.

When addiction grips a family love can be hard to find. It's easier to focus on the drama "downstream" and lose sight of what's causing the problem "upstream." The words inside ones head, and spoken out loud are often anything but words of love.

My hope is that HIGHER will promote a discussion that changes internal, and interpersonal dialogue. One out of two Americans admit to having a family member or friend with a substance abuse problem. It's likely much higher than that.

Counseling individuals challenged by substance use and their family members, l've encountered the basic story presented in HIGHER many times. There are multiple meanings to the title of this show. There's one particular dimension that goes to the heart of the potential for those in recovery, or what I choose to call “discovery.”

If you or someone you love could benefit from learning how to access this dimension, please contact me through my website Mindsatpeace.net. There you will also find videos, my blog, a free ebook, and a link to discussion questions based on the show to further enhance your conversation on the way home, and for weeks to come. (But don’t peek at the questions until AFTER the show!!)

When you leave the theater today humming the music, take time to reflect on how you view a family member, the person holding a sign, or passing you on the street, or applying for a job with a spotty resume. There's another piece to their story. At each moment ask yourself, "What can I do to reduce stigma and its deadly impact?" Change starts here, inside you.

With love,

Mark

Director’s Note

“This being human, oh, it’s messy, but one thing’s true. If you step inside the arena, you have the chance to be you. Be alive!”

Living is not merely breathing. Living is done by experiencing that which is around you. For most of us, it seems we seek experiences that bring love, happiness, and belonging. Yet, sometimes we all find that pursuit leads us down a path of heartache, pain, and isolation. Did we intentionally seek negative experiences? My belief is a resounding ‘no.’

Despite our best efforts, hurtful things happen to each of us and that has a ripple effect on those we hold most dear. That sounds pretty messy to me. 

What’s even more challenging is that as people come in and out of our lives whether for years at a time or just tonight when experiencing HIGHER you are unaware of the messiness that is happening in the person’s life immediately to your right or left. They seem so put together; and they are. However they also are so much more than you see at this moment; almost like an iceberg with tha majority existing beneath the surface. 

This production is exploring that exact reality in a physical manifestation. There will be many times where you do not get the full picture of a person, of a moment, or even a song. This allows you the opportunity to create alongside the artists who built this experience to fill in the gaps with your assumptions, your dreams, and your imagination. 

My hope is that as you experience this black and white world you begin to uncover some of your own absolutes, challenge them, and find the beauty in the colorful spectrum as you experience more that which is around you tonight. 

And regardless of how you end up feeling after this experience, know that it likely began with the pursuit of love, happiness, and belonging. I urge you to carry that forward and see how that, unto itself, changes how you experience the world around you. You can make a world of a difference.

Be alive! Go HIGHER!

Song List

ACT I

Start Higher

Start Higher Reprise

Drink One

My Moment

Man of the House

Solution

Read My Mind

Start Higher Reprise

I Wonder

No Sound/Colors/Come Back

It Doesn’t Last

Tell My Story

Losing My Way

Something on a Corner/One More

If I Could

Start Higher Reprise

ACT II

King of Narcan

Desire

Not This Time

Survive

Is This It

Thirty Days

Dear Benjamin

Is This It/Man of the House Reprise

America

My Moment Reprise

Rainbows and Snowflakes

It Doesn’t Last Reprise

Stigma

Desire Reprise

Only One

Alive

Thirty Days Reprise

I’m Home

Lead Creative Artists

  • Mark Levine

    PLAYWRIGHT, COMPOSER, LYRICIST

    Mark is by day a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor-Certified Supervisor, Life Coach and Founder of Minds at Peace LLC. By evening for the last 4 years it has been an absolute joy to create the music, lyrics and book for Higher. Having written songs since a teenager this is Mark's first foray into writing and composing for theatre. He is extremely grateful for the mentorship and patience of Matt Gellin and Eric Knechtges, the passion and talent this amazing cast and crew brought everyday, and for Sheri's unwavering support when he wasn't sure what the heck he was doing! He is the very proud father of two incredible adult children, and grandfather to one very recently minted baby girl. He has also written one satiric novel self-published under the name AJ Allen. His website and contact can be found at mindsatpeace.net

    "The story of Higher needed to be told, now more than ever. It is extremely unlikely that any other theatre production would have taken a chance on a completely unknown playwright/composer. But this is exactly why A.L.T was created—to encourage, inspire and bring to life not just works that entertain but pieces that make you think and act. I can't wait to see what they do next."

  • Matthew David Gellin

    PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, DESIGNER

    Matthew has successfully acted and directed across the country, in Europe, and in Asia.

    Matthew is proud to have served as a U.S. representative at the UNESCO
    International Theatre Institute Research Lab in Romania. He was named a Promising Artist of the 21st Century by the International Arts and Cultural Exchange, and he has published papers on directorial theory in international peer-reviewed journals. He has also been recognized as one of Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40.

    His financial background includes serving as U.S. delegate to the People’s Republic of China for foreign business affairs and and serving on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Foundation for Philanthropy USA Board of Directors.

    Now, he looks to lift American theatre back to the top of the world’s stage.

    "Thank you to Mark for entrusting me with developing his critical musical, and this tremendous cast and crew for bringing this Ohio premiere to life! Thanks also must be given to my kids - Cora, Judah, and Atlas - and my amazing wife, Samantha, who does all she can to support my artistry."

  • Eric Knechtges

    ARRANGER

    Eric Knechtges currently is Adjunct Professor of Music Composition at Xavier University, Pianist for the Cincinnati Waldorf School, and Music Director for Faith United Church of Christ in Anderson Township. He has also taught music theory and composition at Northern Kentucky University. He has earned awards for his compositions in the Kings' Singers New Music Prize and the Doc Severinsen International Composition Competition; his compositions and arrangements are regularly performed nationally and internationally. He is currently the resident arranger for the Cincinnati Men's Chorus.

    "Nearly every musical project and profession that I am passionate about deals with social justice and positive social change. It is clear that A.L.T.'s mission is to leave the community, the audience, the performers, and the world a better place through artistic expression, changing lives one at a time -- and knowing that the life you change through performance may also be your own."

  • Stacey Sands

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Stacey Sands is an in-demand vocalist, pianist, actor, and educator. She has performed in all major venues in Cincinnati including 19 seasons with the Cincinnati Opera, various professional choral groups, professional theater companies, and rock bands. Stacey’s students are professional working musicians, have been accepted into numerous college programs for the arts, have won national competitions, and several are in this show! In her non artistic life, Stacey is an ordained Deacon and works as a Hospital Chaplain.

    “Higher is an important story, told in a beautiful way, in a cool venue. I am so honored to get to rock out with this cast and band. We all hope that you find something personal, something truly life changing to take home with you tonight; inspiration to do, think, and rise Higher! Thank you to my many mentors, teachers, and students who have all taught me so much. Thank you to Matt, Mark, and Eric for inviting me in and letting me “rough up” this amazing show. Thank you to all my family and friends for always cheering me on. And thank you to my amazing husband Zach and baby for supporting me in all my roles!”

THE ALT FOUNDER’S CIRCLE

Melissa & Chris Bauer

Slade & Marcia Gellin

MC & Tom Brennan

John Kirchgraber

Samantha & Matthew Gellin

Founder's Circle members commit at least $10,000 cumulatively over the course of four consecutive years.

To learn more about joining the Founder's Circle please contact donate@americanlegacytheatre.org

Cast + Crew

  • Dylan Van Camp

    BENJAMIN

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with ALT to share such an important story and message with you!”

  • Bethany Xan Kerr

    MARA

    “ALT’s mission reminds me why I fell in love with the theater in the first place; art can change the world.”

  • Robert Stimmel

    TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

  • Constance Kavensky

    BECCA, ENSEMBLE

    “Why ALT? Because I like to do shows that have a f****** meaning.”

  • Andrew Hartman

    KYLE, ENSEMBLE

    “I had never heard of American Legacy Theatre before this show. I adore performances where I can elevate the stories of other people and in ways that push towards social justice and increase empathy for our fellow humans. The heart of this show, to reduce stigma, is one that I am honored to get to be part of.
    I hope that anyone like me, who has this as their first experience and introduction to ALT, walks away feeling excitement and a challenge, asking themselves ‘How can I change the story?’”

  • Ezra Hiudt

    BABY BENJAMIN

  • ErinMarie Suscheck

    STAGE MANAGER

    “ALT is a creative new style theatre. They are pushing the boundaries of art to create something new. Everyone should be excited to try something new! That’s why I chose to work with ALT, it’s a theatre like I’ve never seen before.”

  • R. DeAndré Smith

    FATHER, ENSEMBLE

    “Why ALT? Why not? ALT is doing the work of bringing art to the people, making theatre accessible to the community by meeting them where they are to create art. This fits well with my own personal artistic belief and mission statement that everyone has a story to be told and working to get those voices heard.”

  • Anita Anderson

    MOTHER, ENSEMBLE

    “I am new to ALT and am thankful to work with such amazing people. I'm inspired each day to steal their crafts because of their greatness and I hope that I can inspire others!”

  • Cristin Fries

    ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

    “I am excited to be working with American Legacy Theatre because they are so passionate about the work we are doing! I really resonate with the idea of doing a show that has meaning and can have a true impact on audiences and the community—and Higher is definitely doing that!”

  • Natasha Moffitt Headshot

    Jovanni Candia

    ENSEMBLE

    “ALT helps to extend theater's reach to the community, not just on the stage, but wherever a message may need to be heard. I'm thrilled to be working with ALT to bring HIGHER to life here in the Contemporary Arts Center.”

  • Elijah Webster

    PROPS, PROGRAM

    “When I needed to feel empowered the most, American Legacy Theatre came to me and lifted me up as a student. Now, I strive to do everything in my power to bring that same life-altering experience to as many people as possible. I am so lucky to get to be a part of a team of people that are all so passionate about just making theatre and art accessible, empowering, and as effective as possible.”

  • Amanda Marasch-Brinkman

    INTIMACY COORDINATOR

  • Stefano Adams-Orejuela

    YOUNG BENJAMIN

    “I'm here because of friends! My friend Rex asked me if I'd like to join him, and now I'm having an amazing experience in this important project!”

  • Kelvin Yeoh

    SOUND ENGINEER

  • Alexis Pinto

    ENSEMBLE

    “ALT uses the magic of theatre and the arts to bring to life true stories. They reach out to those who don’t feel as seen and give them a space to share.”

  • Rex Hornsby

    YOUNG KYLE

    “I’m happy to have the opportunity to perform outside of school. The opportunity to learn from others is important to me.”

  • Mac Wood

    ENSEMBLE

    “Why ALT? The stars seemed to align! Until a few months ago, I was the at-home care for my two nieces. With my new-found free time, I was already thinking about being a part of a production when Stacey asked me to audition for HIGHER. When I learned HIGHER was more than a show, but was a call on our country to take addiction and stigma more seriously, I knew I had to get involved. I couldn't be happier with my return to the stage!”

The Band

  • Michael Hyatt

    GUITAR

    “I'm excited about the way ALT decided to present this production. I've been a part of two other immersive performances similar to this and have found them to be an incredible experience for both performer and audience!”

  • Amir Martin

    RHYTHM GUITAR

  • Jameson Hornsby

    BASS

    “I love playing music, especially the bass! Playing music is life, and getting to perform with other professionals makes it better.”

  • Brian Malone

    DRUMS

    "I'm excited to be providing the groove behind this powerful work in such an inspiring space."

Special Thanks

Family and Friends Supporters

Cheryl Kreindler

Scott Joseph

Amber Gallagher

Rachel Rasmussen

Trainers & Counselors

Hamilton County Public Health

Joseph House

Hopeline

UMADAOP of Cincinnati

Talbert House

Daniel Ritchie

Danielle M. Jones

Cyndi Denneman

Carrie Conlon

Erica Nicolaus

Anika Smith Unterberg

Kristy Salvato

Maria Bertrand

American Legacy Theatre's work is made possible in part through continuing operating support from the Ohio Arts Council, and by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.