Artistry Community Theatre Brings Dear Evan Hansen and a Message of Hope and Support to Students

A powerful Broadway musical is coming to Plattsburgh this month with a mission that reaches beyond the stage. Artistry Community Theatre will present Dear Evan Hansen in November at the historic Strand Center Theatre, using the production as a springboard for conversations about student mental health, social isolation, belonging, and the importance of seeking help.

With a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Dear Evan Hansen follows an anxious high school student whose private letter is mistaken for a message written by a classmate who has died by suicide. As Evan becomes drawn into the grieving family’s life, a misunderstanding grows into a story that brings him the connection he has long wante, and forces him to confront the consequences of his choices. Featuring songs including “Waving Through a Window,” “You Will Be Found,” and “For Forever,” the musical explores loneliness, grief, family relationships, and the desire to be seen and accepted.

“Dear Evan Hansen is the show that really, truly got me into theatre,” said Teddy Defayette, who stars as Evan Hansen. Defayette discovered the musical in ninth grade, when his chorus teacher recommended watching the cast’s performance on The Tonight Show. “After watching that video, I became completely obsessed. I was listening to an entire musical that, to 14-year-old me, felt as though I was looking into a mirror, a show about a kid struggling with anxiety, feeling alone and isolated, desperately wanting to be seen. I never thought I would get the opportunity to play this character. It was something I had only ever dreamed about. When I heard auditions were coming up, I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring, and I am so glad I did. I can’t quite describe how surreal this all feels.”

For music director Kathleen Kokes, working on the vocal score of Dear Evan Hansen has offered a welcome opportunity to explore contemporary, pop-style music with the cast. “It has been fun to delve into this genre of music, especially with the couple of cast members who have not performed this style in the past,” she said. Kokes first encountered the musical through her students while teaching music at Northeastern Clinton Central High School. “I thought it was a creative way of examining the issues everyday people face when dealing with social media,” she explained.

When the show became available for community theatres, Kokes approached director Derrick A. Hopkins about a special performance for area teenagers, paired with a post-show panel discussion facilitated by local mental health experts. “Derrick has been so supportive of the idea and has gone above and beyond what I could possibly have imagined for this project,” she said. “I think audience members of every generation will connect to something in the show, whether they are teenagers, siblings, parents, or grandparents.”

“Dear Evan Hansen makes you laugh, then catches you off guard with something painfully familiar,” said Hopkins. “Teenagers may recognize the pressure to fit in, while adults may see themselves in parents trying to connect with children they don’t always understand. Across generations, that need to feel seen is something we share. Our extraordinary cast, crew, and production team have approached this story with talent, care, and a willingness to embrace its uncomfortable truths. They’re finding the humor in awkward moments and the raw emotion beneath words left unsaid. In a culture where we can share everything online and still struggle to tell someone how we really feel, this piece gives us plenty to talk about. Come for the music and the laughter; you may leave understanding someone in your own life a little better.”

Offering hope to the student population

In conjunction with the production, Artistry Community Theatre is developing the North Country Student Mental Health & Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative, which includes a special student preview performance on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Groups of students from nearly every high school in Clinton and Essex counties will see Dear Evan Hansen at the Strand free of charge, thanks to sponsorship from the Keep Another Tomorrow Foundation, supplemented by funds from the Clinton Community Services Board. Mental health professionals will be available during and after the performance to address any concerns students may have. The day will also include a presentation on substance abuse prevention by a representative of Champlain Valley Family Center, along with conversations with the performers and personnel behind the show.

Working with Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN), Clinton County Mental Health & Addictions, and Essex County Mental Health, the initiative will use the show as a springboard for conversations about coping with challenges such as social media pressures, cyberbullying, suicide, anxiety, and depression.

By connecting the theatre experience with education and community resources, the initiative aims to encourage students to recognize when they or a friend may need support and to reach out to trusted adults. Hopkins says he hopes the performance and presentations will encourage continued dialogue among students, teachers, and families, fostering a more supportive school environment for young people.

“The KAT Foundation is honored to collaborate with the production of Dear Evan Hansen, a story that reminds us of the importance of connection, compassion, and being there for one another,” the foundation shared in a statement. “Together, we hope to shine a light on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, while reminding those who may be struggling that they are seen, they are loved, and they are never alone. Every life matters. Every story matters. And sometimes, the smallest act of kindness can make the biggest difference. We are grateful to be part of this meaningful collaboration and its message of hope, healing, and the power of human connection.”

More details about the show

The production team includes Derrick A. Hopkins, Director; Kathleen Kokes, Music Director and Sound; Jeanette Woodruff, Orchestra Director and Conductor; Meaghan Janovsky, Choreographer; Shane Shuknecht, Stage Manager and Sound; Rachel Budin, Lighting Design; Casey Koziatek, Props; Jerry Defayette, Set; Jason Borrie, Scenic Design; and Susanne Ford, Gigi Mason, and Eileen Wrisley, Costumes.

Content advisory:  Dear Evan Hansen contains strong language, sexual references, discussions of suicide and a suicide attempt, and references to drug use and substance abuse. The story explores anxiety, depression, social isolation, bullying, grief following the death of a teenager, and strained family relationships. These subjects may be distressing for some audience members. Parents and guardians are encouraged to consider these themes when deciding whether the production is appropriate for their children. Recommended for ages 14+.

How to see the show

Artistry Community Theatre will present Dear Evan Hansen November 13–15, 2026, at the historic Strand Center Theatre, located at 25 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh. Public performances will take place Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m.

Ticket and reservation information is available at www.artistrytheatre.org.

Photos: Artistry Community Theatre