Upper Peninsula Painless Performance Tour

The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) is bringing Painless: The Opioid Musical to the Upper Peninsula in May 2025! 

Inspired by true stories of addiction and recovery, Painless: The Opioid Musical was developed by OPEN in collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Precision Health and School of Music, Theatre & Dance to reach young audiences far and wide. The show follows a group of students forced to sit through a drug awareness assembly at school — bored at first, it’s not long before they begin to realize their own connections to the ongoing crisis.

Painless Community Performance in Marquette

Join us for a free community performance of Painless in partnership with Northern Michigan University, followed by a Q&A session with the cast and crew. Local substance use prevention and recovery organizations will also be tabling to share information and resources after the show. 

Date: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

Time: 7pm

Location: Forest Roberts Theatre, Northern Michigan University

C.B. Hedgcock Bldg, 1401 Presque Isle Ave 3rd Floor, Marquette, MI 49855

Cost: $0

There is no cost, but registration is required. 

Reserve Tickets Here!

Calling Local Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Organizations!

Join us in bringing awareness, support, and resources at a powerful event addressing addiction and recovery. We’re inviting local organizations to table during the community performance of Painless: The Opioid Musical in Marquette in order to connect with attendees, share information, and provide vital resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery. This is a great opportunity to engage with individuals, families, and community members seeking support.

The following organizations will be sharing resources at Forest Roberts Theatre following the community performance of Painless:

• Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN)

• Safety First (Marquette County Health Department)

• New Points (Marquette County Health Department)

• MC2 Coalition (Marquette County Health Department)

• Great Lakes Recovery Centers

• West End Suicide Prevention

• Catholic Social Services

• Superior Connections Recovery Community Organization

• NorthCare Network

Bring Painless to Your School!

OPEN is collaborating with high schools in the UP to educate students about opioid use through Painless: The Opioid Musical. Not only will you see a live performance of the show in your school, you’ll also be given free resources to help engage students, including access to the cast album, lyrics sheets, and our Painless Toolkit. These resources will help educators plan discussion topics before and after seeing the musical, give them resources to help them learn more about the opioid epidemic, and give them the tools to implement Painless in their school.

If you are interested in a performance, complete this interest form at your earliest convenience. Performances will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

Apply Here!

Performance Details:

• Performances will be scheduled for the week of May 12th, 2025. 
• This performance is free.
• The musical runs for approximately 45 minutes. 
• The musical can be performed in almost any space (auditoriums, gymnasiums, etc.). The cast and crew will bring all their own sound equipment.
• You and your students will be asked to participate in an evaluation survey to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of Painless. We will evaluate students’ knowledge and perceived risk of opioids as well as other types of substance use. The student survey will also ask about student engagement and perceptions of the musical.

Schools that schedule a Painless performance will be asked to:

1. Participate in a short (~15min) pre-implementation meeting to discuss performance and evaluation logistics.
2. Send a letter to parents informing them about the survey and their right to opt their child out of taking the survey (sample letter provided).
3. Administer a post-test survey (<15 min) to students following delivery of the performance. University of Michigan will provide a secure link to an online survey.
4. Integrate at least one Painless-focused activity into the ATOD prevention unit delivery (activity options will be provided).
5. Participate in a brief teacher survey to provide feedback on Painless. 

Schools may choose to opt-out of participating in the evaluation process. Painless performances will not be affected by the decision to opt-out.