LINCOLN – An original song cycle written in Auburn, Neb., is the cornerstone of a new community arts and development movement known as “The Dream Switch Project.”

The song lyrics were written by Becky Boesen and the music by David von Kampen, an award-winning musical theater team.

The album is presented as a song cycle that focuses on how Nebraska can welcome newcomers and retain its residents.

The story cycle revolves around a young outlier from the Sandhills who goes off to explore the world to come to the understanding that everything she needed was around her in Nebraska.

Andrea von Kampen and a band of seven musicians are scheduled for public performances of the song cycle, which was sponsored by the Nebraska Community Foundation and Blixt. Blixt is a Nebraska-based arts organization that collaborates with communities to champion the contributions of creatives.

The inaugural performance is scheduled at the courthouse square in Auburn at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16.

Ord’s Golden Husk Theatre will host a second performance at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23.

Jeff Yost of the Nebraska Community Foundation said “The Dream Switch” is not only a quality arts experience, but a chance for Nebraskans to have a critical discussion about their hometowns.

Yost: “We see “The Dream Switch” not simply as a performance, but a platform for community development.”

Blixt co-founders Petra Wahlqvist and Becky Boesen are engaging local youth in art-centered projects.

They recently asked students to photograph and write about where they feel most comfortable in their hometowns. They held a virtual meeting with a peer group in Sweden to discuss their findings.

Blixt’s Facebook post reminds people to bring lawn chairs to the world premier.