Painless: The Opioid Musical started as an idea by Dr. Chad Brummett, Co-Director of OPEN, when he gave a lecture to high school students and learned that almost 75% of them admitted to having easy access to unused opioids. After Dr. Brummett contacted former Chair of Musical Theatre Vincent J. Cardinal in 2018, students at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance were invited to hear true stories of people in recovery and loved ones of people with substance use disorder from Face Addiction Now (formally Families Against Narcotics). These stories were translated into songs by undergraduate student Jacob Ryan Smith and formed Painless: The Opioid Musical.
Since 2018, Painless has accomplished significant milestones, including appearing on the TODAY show, launching the official cast album on Spotify, and completing tours of Ann Arbor and other local high schools. Now, as of February 2025, Painless is officially available for licensing across the country through Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan.
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