Book/Music/Lyrics By…

Annika is the author of two original musicals, as well as an array of individual songs. Her first musical, Who We Are: The Reality of Now, premiered her senior year of high school at Alameda High School. Her current project, ROSIE: A New Musical, had its first excerpt presentation at the New Studio on Broadway Freeplay Festival in 2022, and premiered in concert at 54 Below on March 31st, 2024. She has also been a lyricist and composer for Youtube and TikTok channel Pixel Playhouse since 2023.

  • On the Homefront of WWII America, women of all ages, races, and classes have joined the workforce at Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, CA. Rosie Brooks, a naive housewife trying to protect her new husband while he fights in the Pacific, and Lula Davis, a determined woman who migrates with her family from Oklahoma in search of work, navigate the sexism and racism of a changing world, clashing with each other in the process. When the freedoms they each fight for are taken out of their control, Rosie and Lula struggle to find the true meaning of progress when every step forward means three steps back. Inspired by the Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It” propaganda that has become a symbol of the modern feminist movement, ROSIE analyzes the time period from a complex, contemporary perspective using a blend of Big Band Swing and Contemporary Musical Theatre music.

  • The Reality of Now is a story of high schoolers facing the insanity of building their adult lives. From college applications to family conflicts to teenage love triangles to evil twin hallucinations (yes you read that right), high school is tough for everyone. Charlotte is a young writer struggling to find her voice, plagued by constant visions of a darker, more cutthroat version of herself that fights for control and threatens to consume her entirely. Nate and Maggie are the school’s long time golden couple, but when Nate pulls away to deal with problems at home, Maggie starts to realize their flame may be dwindling for good. Meanwhile Bridget, Nate’s cynical younger sister, dreams of a previously unattainable path beyond high school, which would take her away from everything she has always known. Written by a high schooler for high schoolers, Annika Stenstedt’s debut musical is an interpretation of the fears and desires her and her classmates experienced throughout their final years of adolescence.

  • Since 2023, Annika has been a lyricist and composer for Pixel Playhouse, a channel dedicated to creating accessible, original musical theatre content for the internet. Her songs with Pixel Playhouse thus far have been inspired by Disney, “BookTok”, and other popular media.

2019 Premiere Cast of Who We Are: The Reality of Now.
From A Rosie Holiday, at NSB Freeplay 2022.
The cast of ROSIE: A New Musical in Concert at 54 Below in March 2024.

ROSIE: A New Musical at 54 Below

Highlights from the concert premiere of ROSIE: A New Musical, book/music/lyrics written by Annika Stenstedt. The concert featured performers including Cara Rose DiPietro, Hannah Lauren Wilson, and Mona Swain.

Disney Villains for Pixel Playhouse!

Annika wrote the music and lyrics for her first released video from Pixel Playhouse, a cautionary tale honoring the legacy of Disney Villains while lamenting the lack of deliciously evil villains in Disney animated films today.

Featured Clips

Hally Smith sings “More Than Survive”, inspired by A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Music & Lyrics By Annika Stenstedt.

Cara Rose DiPietro singing "Rigging Ballet" from ROSIE: A New Musical at 54 Below on March 31st, 2024.

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  • Feyre’s Song “More Than Survive” | The Unofficial ACOTAR Musical
    • 5/29/25

    Feyre’s Song “More Than Survive” | The Unofficial ACOTAR Musical

    THE CAST:

    FEYRE: Hally Smith (@ hallyrosesmith)

    CREATIVE TEAM:

    Music & Lyrics by Annika Stenstedt

    Orchestration by Leon Thomasian

    Art by Lani Sahulga

    Music Direction Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz, Annika Stenstedt, Vijay Nazareth

    Mixed & Mastered by Leon Thomasian

    Produced, Directed, Cello Solo by Vijay Nazareth

    LYRICS:

    ANY PATH I TAKE, ANY ROAD I MAKE,

    IT ALWAYS LEADS ME BACK TO THIS.

    TO THE ENDLESS COLD,

    TO THE WISHES BURIED IN SNOW…

    EVERY BITE I TAKE, EVERY OATH I’D BREAK

    TAKES THE SOUR TASTE OF SELFISHNESS

    BUT WHAT LIFE IS THERE TO LIVE IN THIS FROZEN TABLEAU?

    OH MY FATHER’S LUCK

    RAN OUT AND SUNK

    WITH ALL OUR FORTUNE

    AND I’VE CARVED EACH TREE

    WITH MY MOTHER’S PLEA

    LIKE I CARVE EVERY MEAGER PORTION

    BUT I LEARNED TO HUNT, TO HIDE,

    TO PUT AN ARROW THROUGH A RABBIT’S EYE;

    MY SISTERS’ HANDS COULD NEVER

    BEAR THE BRUNT

    TO PLUCK A SPARROW KNOWING IT’S ALL I COULD FIND

    AND I DON’T WANNA DIE, SO I

    CONSIST OF CALLOUSES AND SORROW

    NUMB TO MY JOY AND MY BORROWED TIME

    AND EVERYDAY WE WAKE AND GET BY

    BUT IF I COULD SPARE A BREATH TO HOPE,

    AND IF I STOOD ON A SAFER SLOPE

    I’D WONDER AT THE COLOR OF THE NIGHT SKY

    IF MY FAMILY COULD BE SAFE AND HEALTHY

    IF I WAS FREE TO BE MYSELF, EVEN ONE NIGHT

    I DON’T HAVE TO RUN OR FEAR OR FIGHT

    I WOULD FINALLY DO MORE THAN SURVIVE

    THOUGH THE SHADOWS CREEP

    AND MY FEAR RUNS DEEP

    IF I LEAVE, WE WON’T LAST ANOTHER WEEK

    AND NO PETTY CARVING OR PRETTY FACE COULD REPLACE

    EVERY DEER I’VE CAUGHT,

    EVERY LOG I’VE CHOPPED,

    EVERY PENNY SAVED FOR A ROSY CHEEK

    SO I’LL SELL MY SOUL, AND I’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT I’VE LOST

    BUT MY SISTERS ARE ALL I HAVE

    AND MY FATHER, THOUGH HE STUMBLES,

    IS A PROUD AND GENTLE MAN

    AND I LOVE THEM THOUGH I HATE THEM

    FOR THE THING THAT I’VE BECOME

    FOR THE PROMISE THAT I’VE KEPT,

    THAT I WILL KEEP UNTIL IT’S DONE

    IN OUR MOTHER’S BED I CAN PRETEND WE’RE INNOCENT AND FREE

    HOW CAN WE BE?

    WHEN THE WORLD TAKES ALL OUR CHANCES?

    BUT IF I COULD SPARE A BREATH TO HOPE,

    AND IF I STOOD ON A SAFER SLOPE

    I’D WONDER AT THE COLOR OF THE NIGHT SKY

    IF MY FAMILY COULD BE SAFE AND HEALTHY

    IF I WAS FREE TO BE MYSELF EVEN ONE NIGHT

    I DON’T HAVE TO RUN OR FEAR OR FIGHT

    I WOULD FINALLY DO MORE THAN SURVIVE

    I’D TRAVEL ALL THE LAND, THE SKY, AND SEA

    I’D TRAVEL ‘TIL I FIND A PLACE LIKE ME

    WHERE I CAN BREATHE WITH OPEN EYES

    AND SEE THE STARS WITH NO DISGUISE:

    A PLACE WHERE I COULD BE ALIVE

    OR MAYBE I WOULD STAY AND REST MY FEET.

    I’D PAINT AWAY THE DAY AND JUST REPEAT,

    OR MAYBE OPEN MY HEART WIDE,

    AND MAYBE–WHO KNOWS?

    OH IF I

    I’D WONDER AT THE COLOR OF THE NIGHT SKY

    I WOULD SMELL THE SICKLY SWEETEST FLOWERS

    AND PAINT THEM FOR A THOUSAND HOURS

    AND NEVER HAVE TO RUN OR FEAR OR FIGHT

    I’D LET THE LIGHT AND SHADOW IN

    AND I’D NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN!

    BUT THERE’S A RUSTLE IN THE BRUSH

    I SEE THE DOE AND ALL GOES HUSH

    IT’S THIN BUT MEATY,

    IT WOULD FEED MY FAMILY FOR A WEEK AT LEAST

    BUT SOMETHING ELSE IS GREEDY;

    GOLDEN EYES THAT GLOW AND SHOW A BEAST–

    A WOLF–

    IS THIS THE END?

    HE’LL KILL THE DEER AND KILL ME TOO

    AND WE’RE TOO FAR INTO THE WOODS FOR THEM TO FIND

    I ALWAYS THOUGHT I’D HAVE MORE TIME

    I HAVEN’T LIVED ENOUGH OR LOVED ENOUGH TO DIE

    AND SO I DRAW MY SINGLE ARROW MADE OF ASH

    AND PRAY TO JUST SURVIVE

    FOR ONE WHOLE LIFE

    NO!

    I CAN’T DIE HERE

    I CAN’T DIE HERE

    I WON’T DIE–

    I POINT THE ARROW AT ITS–

  • Disney Villains confront Disney CEO | A Musical feat. Brian Hull
  • ENEMIES TO LOVERS: A Musical
    • 5/29/25

    ENEMIES TO LOVERS: A Musical

    Featuring Lyrics by Annika Stenstedt and Music by Leon Thomasian.

  • He’s REAL?! | Book Boyfriend: The Musical