History of the Promise

About The Promise
The Promise is a powerful musical drama that tells the story of Jesus Christ from His birth to His Ascension. It began in 1997 when Artistic Director Vicki Bubalo, inspired by a video of a similar production in Branson, MO, felt called to bring the same experience to her small town of Washington, Indiana. Having a background in music education, theater, and ministry, Vicki viewed this as a divine calling—one that would combine her faith and talents to reach others through music and drama.

Bringing the vision to life took community-wide effort. With support from local churches, businesses, and volunteers, the production launched in 1998. Despite challenges—including coaxing a 1,300-pound camel named Clyde onto the stage—the team stayed committed to creating a high-quality, historically accurate show offered free to the public. Now performed biennially, The Promise continues to evolve while staying rooted in its mission: to bring the story of Christ to life and invite audiences into a deeper relationship with Him. Through dedication, prayer, and humor, the cast and crew pour their hearts into every performance, making it a cherished community tradition.