The Rumspringa Project

Part of PRISM: A Festival of New Queer Musicals 2026

The Makers' Ensemble

1 hr 30 min

Sep 9 - 13, 2026

The Rumspringa Project is a music-theatre kaleidoscope of queer coming-of-age stories in America inspired by the Amish tradition, "Rumspringa". Known colloquially as 'jumping the fence', it is not only a threshold, but also exists as the liminal passage between worlds. It culminates in the young person's choice to return to their community (and ultimately get married) or to remain in the secular sphere, knowing, no matter the choice, there is no going back to before you crossed the fence. The Rumspringa Project was conceived by Machel Ross, with book by Bubba Weiler, music by Ellen Winter and Nina Ross, and additional collaboration from Sekai Abeni and Tony Nominee Ellenore Scott. It’s been developed at Mercury Store, Berkeley Rep Ground Floor, and through the Joe’s Pub Working Group. Directed by Machel Ross, Music Directed by Ellen Winter & Nina Ross.