How to Dance in Ohio Is Now Available for Licensing From Music Theatre International | Playbill
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How to Dance in Ohio Is Now Available for Licensing From Music Theatre International

The neurodivergent coming-of-age musical played a brief Broadway run in 2023.

February 20, 2026 By Margaret Hall

Liam Pearce and cast of How To Dance In Ohio (Curtis Brown)

Today is... licensing day!

How to Dance in Ohio is now available for licensing through Music Theatre International. International restrictions may apply. The musical features music by Jacob Yandura and a book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik, adapted from Alexandra Shiva's 2015 HBO documentary. 

The story follows the challenges faced by a group of autistic young adults at a counseling center in Ohio, where, with the support of clinical psychologist Dr. Emilio Amigo, a spring formal dance is arranged. The musical made its world premiere at Syracuse Stage in 2022 and came to Broadway the following year, playing a 72-performance run. The production was a major milestone for neurodivergent representation on Broadway, with seven openly autistic actors playing the show's seven autistic characters, as echoed in the show's mantra: "nothing about us without us."

READ: 'Autism Isn't Something to Fear': How to Dance in Ohio Is Breaking Grounds in Autistic Representation

Though the production's Broadway run was brief, it was beloved by the community it represented, with the How to Dance in Ohio Authentic Autistic Representation Team winning a 2024 Drama Desk Special Award.

Said Drew Cohen, President and CEO of Music Theatre International, “How to Dance in Ohio is a coming-of-age story about courage, connection, and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself. The musical celebrates neurodiversity, friendship, and first love—not as obstacles to overcome, but as experiences that shape who we are. We know this show will resonate with audiences around the country.”

READ: How To Dance in Ohio Is Making Sure the Show Is Sensory Friendly Onstage and Off

"We are thrilled that the licensing of How to Dance in Ohio will be available through Music Theatre International," say Yandura and Melocik in a previous joint statement. "The Broadway production marked so many firsts in representation and accessibility, and we know the show will have a long and promising future at MTI. To hand over this joyful story to other communities and artists, especially autistic and neurodivergent ones, is a dream come true."

Visit MTIShows.com.

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