Student performers at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NE, took a stand against hate and violence in a musical performance of the Stephen Schwartz songs “In the Beginning/”Spark of Creation” from Children of Eden. The touching film that accompanies the performance addresses gun violence in America.

The song was performed as the finale of Spark of Creation: A Celebration of the Works of Stephen Schwartz.

Joining the 12 high school students were Broadway actors Bud Weber (Something Rotten!) and Carla Stickler (Wicked). The student performers include Chloe Abram, Elizabeth Atkins, Alexis Benson, Nick Boegel, Casey Durso, Hugh Entrekin, Zoe Killian, Miller Kraps, Justin Mathews, Briana Middleton, Steven Ricks and Jake Smith.

J. Jason Daunter conceived the production, including the special performance. Musical arrangements are by Jason Yarcho, with musical supervision by Doug Oberhamer and choreography by Adam Ryan Tackett.

The International Thespian Festival is organized by the Educational Theatre Association.