The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati - Cat in the Hat
PRODUCTION OF
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Grantee Spotlight: CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
In 2024, the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati produced Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Youth Edition.”
Image credit: Mikki Schaffner
TCT MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION OF
Based on the book by DR. SEUSS
Play originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain
For Sally, Thing 1, Thing 2: Malyssa Quinn; for The Cat, Conrad: Colton Slade; for Fish, Narrator: Ethan Kuchta
* Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company
PO P Q U i Z
How much do you know about The Cat in the Hat, presented this season by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati?
1. What year was The Cat in the Hat published?
A. 1957
B. 1962
C. 1973
D. 1999
2. How many books did Dr. Seuss publish?
A. 48
B. 44
C. 32
D. 28
3. How many stripes are on the Cat’s hat?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
4. Who warns the children about The Cat in the Hat?
A. The Dog
B. The Cat
C. The Fish
D. The Couch
5. What was Dr. Seuss’s first book?
A. The Cat in the Hat
B. Green Eggs and Ham
C. And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street
D. Fox in Socks
6. Other than “Dr. Seuss” what other pen name did he use?
A. Theo LeSieg
B. Donald Berry
C. Bronson McRow
D. Gerald Featherbottom
7. What year was Dr. Seuss born?
A. 1900
B. 1904
C. 1910
D. 1912
8. What was Dr. Seuss’s real name?
A. Theodor Geisel
B. Tyler Harding
C. Benedict Cumberbatch
D. Harry Cornshire
9. How many publishers turned down Dr. Seuss’s first book?
A. 41
B. 38
C. 32
D. 28
10. If I Ran the Zoo has the first published record of the word…
A. Funky
B. Riz
C. Nerd
D. Google
DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT CAST
CHRISTOPHER BAKER
ELLA COOPER
BRINLEY CULVER
STELLA DIONYSIOU
JACK GALLAGHER
BOB HERZOG
ETHAN KUCHTA
ELLI MADDOCK
AARON MARSHALL
GINA MAURO
BOBBY MONTANIZ
ORIANA NOELLE
MALYSSA QUINN
OLAF H. RASK
COLTON SLADE
LAUREN ASHLEY WHITFIELD KAVAN VADIVELU
DR.
CHRISTOPHER BAKER
Juggling Performer/Kitten
Chris joins TCT from the world of circus arts, where he performs a variety of skills risky and comedic alike. Chris loves animals and is a total nerd.
ELLA COOPER
Thing 2
Ella is a NKU Theater & PR student making her TCT debut. She’s grateful for family and friends for their support and to TCT for this great experience!
BRINLEY CULVER
Sally Brinley is thrilled to return to the MainStage this season! She has most recently appeared in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. (Ensemble). Other favorite roles include Lucky Stiff (Annabel) and Disney’sHigh School Musical JR. (Sharpay). Brinley has loved training for the past eight years with TCT’s STAR Intensive.
STELLA DIONYSIOU
Aerialist/Poi Artist
Stella is an aerialist and lover of the arts, especially anything involving movement. She is excited at the opportunity to perform with TCT.
JACK GALLAGHER
Juggling Performer/Kitten
Jack is a juggler, equilibrist, and actor with the Cincinnati Circus Company. Since 2019, he has performed 100s of shows across multiple states.
BOB HERZOG
The Cat
Bob thinks of The Children’s Theatre as show for the company more than 20 years ago and feels incredibly grateful for the relationship between TCT and the place where he does his “regular job,” Local 12, which allows him to continue performing. As an anchor for Good Morning Cincinnati,
he
ELLI MADDOCK
Thing 1
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. The SpongeBob
Musical: Youth Edition
Disney’s Peter Pan JR.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR.
Disney’s Aladdin JR Roald
Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.
Disney’s Moana JR.
ETHAN KUCHTA
Ensemble
Footloose
Guys and Dolls
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR.
AARON MARSHALL
The Circus McGurkus,Narrator/Foley Artist
Something Rotten
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.
GINA MAURO Aerialist
DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT CAST
BOBBY MONTANIZ
Fish
Bobby is insanely excited to return to TCT
portrayed Maurice in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR
ORIANA NOELLE
Rolling Globe Performer/Kitten
entertainer and principal unicyclist for the
COLTON SLADE
Ensemble
The Cat in the Hat
LAUREN ASHLEY WHITFIELD
Aerialist/Hoop Artist
MALYSSA QUINN
Ensemble
The Dancing Princesses (Tusu) and Cinderella
OLAF H. RASK
Unicyclist/Kitten
KAVAN VADIVELU
Conrad
Rudolph
The Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. (Rudolph), Princess & Frog Roald Dahl’s Matilda JR. Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.
Kathryn
Toral
Margaret
Zach
setoncincinnati.org
PRODUCTION TEAM
KIM KERN
President & CEO
Kim is a native Cincinnatian and graduate of the Cincinnati Country Day School (’87) and Vanderbilt University (’91). Kim joined (TCT) in 2013 and leadership, TCT’s staff and budget have doubled and TCT completed renovation of their facility on Red Bank Road with eight, state-of-theshop, MainStage rehearsal space, and a small theater. Kim now leads the $51M project to “reimagine” the Emery Theater as TCT’s new MainStage home. In 2015 Kim received a into the Cincinnati Country Day School Arts Hall of Fame in 2023, and received the Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize in 2024.
RODERICK JUSTICE
Artistic Director
Roderick is a Tony-recognized Arts Educator, is an award-winning director, choreographer, costume designer, playwright, actor, and Broadway producer (How to Dance in Ohio). He celebrates 19 incredible years with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) this season. As a mentor to hundreds of young performers, he has been producing theatre-for-youth for nearly two decades. In 2020, Roderick was recognized as one of Cincinnati’s 40 Under Forty. In 2021, he was named BroadwayWorld.com’s Arts Educator of the Decade. In 2024, he was an Honorable Mention for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by Carnegie Mellon at the Tony Awards. Since assuming the role of Artistic Director in 2015, he has launched over 25 world- premiere original works and adaptations of theatre for young audiences (TYA). Roderick also serves as guest artist with many local and national arts organizations, Cincinnati’s “Men Wear Pink Campaign” members, where for the past 6 years, he has helped to raise over a million dollars for the American Cancer Society. www.roderickjustice.com
DR. SEUSS (THEODOR GEISEL)
Author
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. In 1957 Seuss fused 225 words with rhythm, rhyme and humor to create The Cat in the Hat and went on to inspire four generations to read. The author and illustrator of 44 books, he received the Pulitzer Price, two Emmys, and three Academy Awards and remains the world’s best-selling author of children’s books.
A. JAMES JONES
Stage Director
James is a Cincinnati native with a B.F.A. In Musical Theatre from Northern Kentucky University School Of The Arts and a Master’s in Education from Bowling Green State University. James is currently the head of the Drama
DR.
Department at The School for Creative and Performing Arts. James is excited to be directing a MainStage show at TCT after performing in several shows with them! Some favorite credits include Elf the Musical JR. (Buddy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. (Lumiere), Casper The Friendly Musical (Uncle Stinky), Snow White and the Dancing Dwarfs (Prince Thomas), A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale (Abraham Lincoln), The Snow Queen (Prince Kai), Church Girls, Spamalot (Lancelot), Rock of Ages (Lonny), Alice in Wonderland (The Cheshire Cat). He’d like to thank his wife, Maddie, and their beautiful daughter, Sayler, for their never-ending love and support!
MADDIE JONES
Associate Artistic Director
Maddie is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. She also has her Masters in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky. She has been performing with TCT for 16 years, where she has appeared in shows such as Disney’s Peter Pan JR. (Tigerlily), Santa Claus: The Musical (Punchy), and Seussical JR. (Bird Girl). She choreographs national award-winning tap, musical theatre, hip hop, and contemporary, and has also won numerous National Championships in Tap and Musical Theatre. She was a member of the award-winning, all-female acapella group, the Baby Grands with SCPA, performing for audiences around the U.S. and China.
SAMANTHA RENO
Scenic Design
Samantha is thrilled to be working with TCT again! Previous scenic designs for TCT include Superman: The Musical, Cinderella, and others. She is the resident scenic designer of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where she designed productions such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Kindred Spirits, The Play That Goes Wrong, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Amen Corner. Other scenic designs include the world premiere of Fierce (Cincinnati Opera), A Great Migration (B Street Theatre, Sacramento), Gaslight (Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Mass.), and The Rewards of Being Frank (New York Classical Theatre). Thanks for having me along, friends!
YELENA BABINSKAYA
Lighting Design
Yelena Babinskaya (she/her) is a scenographer who hails from UNCSA by way of Los Angeles where she has been an active member of the entertainment community for the last 15 years. Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, she spends her time all around the country as a Lighting, Scenic, and Costume designer as well as an educator. Yelena holds a Master of Fine Arts from UCLA and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. She was the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion editor on the 9th Edition of Michael Gillete’s Theatrical Design and Production. In 2021, Yelena was part of a team awarded the winning grant from Opera America for their proposal to develop a new opera for Opera Hack 3.0. That project is still website at https://yelenababinskaya.com
JADI DAVIS
Production Stage Manager
Jadi is excited for his fourth season with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. He has previous Stage Management experience for the Henry Mancini Academy, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Busch Gardens Entertainment, Kings Island Entertainment, and the Hamilton City School District. He was also a Theatrical Project Manager for Vincent Lighting Systems, and a Lighting Director for Riverfront Live, the Madison Theater, the Fitton Center for the Creative Arts, and the Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre.
Last season, TCT gave over $900,000 in ticket subsidies to schools, providing what is for most students their first experience with live theatre. TCT’s cost per student to attend a MainStage performance is $30. No school ever pays
Our kids always look forward to seeing The Children’s Theatre productions. They empower their imaginations and spark creativity.
- CINCINNATI EDUCATOR
Our students love the experiences and over half of our population has never been to a live performance.
-CINCINNATI EDUCATOR
photo provided by CPS
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THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI STAFF
President & CEO...........................................................Kim Kern
Artistic Director .................................................Roderick Justice
TCT Academy Director................................Miranda Bohannon
Theatre Development Fund’s Autism Theatre Initiative, Cincinnati Children’s Starting Our Adventure Right (SOAR) program, CCHMC/ Cincinnati Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute, Cincinnati State’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology Program, Autism Connections - Cincinnati, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, The Point Arc of Northern Kentucky, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, Stepping Stones, Inc., Jenn Jordan of Q102
Graphic Design .................Cal Harris and Cincinnati Magazine Photographer ......................................................Mikki Schaffner Program Editor/Contributor .......................................Cal Harris
FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chair...................................................................Allison H. Kropp
Secretary ..............................................................Andrew Simon Vice Chair .........................................................Charles O. Schiff Vice Chair .............................................................Melinda Davis
Gregory L. Adams, Jeanette Altenau, Nick Binkley, Justin Brookhart, Peter Brown, Sarah Anne Campbell, Grant Cooper, Maris Croswell, Jennifer Dakers, Darcie D’Ascenzo, Daniel M. Driehaus, Libby Galvin-Brock, Molly Garber, Paul Griscom, Sarah Haines, Peter Horton, Katherine O. Jarnigo, Ken Jones, Dr. Rajan R. Kamath, Ph.D., Leanne Langdon, Kick Lee, Meghan Sullivan Nelson, Julie Randall, Rana Schiff, Regan Schmidt, Bethany R. Smith, Jeremy Smith, Jennifer Spieser, Scott T. Stubbins, Marcus Thompson, Diana Victoriano, Owen J. Wrassman
Emeritus Board
..........................Edyth B. Lindner, Fran Carlisle, Chris Stubbins Honorary Board .....Vicki Herche, Carol Hilsinger, Skip Merten
To learn more about the production, please visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com
Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and TikTok @TCTCincinnati
Special thanks to.......................................................................... Troy Malmstrom, SCPA, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, And Cincinnati Stage Employees Local 5
Backstage Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).
WARNING
The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording inside this theater, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection and violations may render the offender liable for money damages.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Wishes to Thank the Following Royal Supporters
INDIVIDUALS
Crown Jewels
(Gifts of $10,000 and above)
Anonymous
Kings and Queens
(Gifts of $5,000 and $9,999)
Kristina & David Crowley*
The Garber Family*
Vicki Herche*
Lisa & Wayne Randall
John M. Shepherd in honor of Susie & Jack Louiso
Princes & Princesses
(Gifts of $2,500-$4,999)
Mitzi & Mark Fox
Teresa Hoelle & Scott Provancher
Dukes and Duchesses
(Gifts of $1,000–$2,499)
Dr. Ratee Apana & Dr. Rajan Kamath*
Rob Blust
David Boyles & David Castillo
Libby & Tony Brock*
Kate & Pete Brown*
Jacklyn & Gary Bryson
Sarah Anne & Michael Campbell*
The Coggins Family
Meg & Grant Cooper*
Maris & Robby Croswell*
The D’Ascenzo Family*
Beth & Dan Driehaus*, Driehaus Insurance Group
Griscom Family*
Mary & Pete Horton*
The Jarnigo Family*
The Kropp Family*
Donna & Chris Miliano
Palmer/Graber Family Fund
Priya & David Rolfes
Andi & Andrew Simon*
Bethany R. Smith*
The Spence Family
Mary Lynn & Joe Sunderman
Anne & Eric Venters
The Weidner Family
Jan & Owen Wrassman*
Earls and Countesses
(Gifts of $500–$999)
Ali, Jeremy, Charli & Andi Cantor
Jennifer & Michael Dakers*
Melinda & Matt Davis*
Melissa Dyer in honor of Brent Rayburn
Sarah & Justin Haines*
Leanne & Matt
Langdon*
CL Mayer & JA Langley
Jamie, Allie & Jeremy
Mack
Tara & Zac Noland
Debra Savage
Angela Wetherington Stutz
Lords
and Ladies
(Gifts of $250–$499)
Emilie & David Dressler Family
Melanie & Ryan Laurent
The Patel-Curran Family
Karen & Robert Ripp
Pennie & Craig Roberts
Jennifer & Eric Spieser*
Knights
(Gifts of $100–$249)
Anonymous
Julie Albright in honor of Angelo Cerniglia
Ms. Ingrid (Iggy) Bryson
Lori, Michael & Olivia in loving memory of Luca & Logan
Andrew Ellison in honor of Mike Ellison
Patricia Filak
Marie Gemelli-Carroll & Jim Carroll
Teresa & KC Green
Becky & Mike Gribler
Lisa Hezlep
Logan Hines
Haus of Hughes
McKenzie & Gavin Kosier
Michele Meyer
Toni Miles
Sharon Park
Drs. Michael & Zane Platt-Faulkner
Andrea Pineda
Patricia Schwartz
Blanche & Tim Sullivan in appreciation of Maryanne McGowan
Diana Victoriano* & Frankie Vassil
Philip Wenger
CORPORATIONS
Deloitte**
Dinsmore & Scholl LLP
Duke Energy**
GE Aerospace**
Hixson Architecture
Engineering Interiors**
KeyBank**
The Kroger Co.
PayPal Fund PNC
FOUNDATIONS
Arts Career Educational (ACE) Fund of GCF ArtsWave
August A. Rendigs, Jr. and Helen Rendigs Foundation Bank of America Foundation
Carol Ann And Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation
Chemed Foundation
Educational Theatre Foundation
Interact for Health
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation
Oliver Family Foundation
PNC Foundation
Scripps Howard Fund
The Charlies H. Dater Foundation
The Harold C. Schott Foundation in honor of Allison Kropp*
The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Foundation
The Susie and Jack Louiso Foundation
The Sutphin Family Foundation
The TAS Foundation*
Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation
GOVERNMENT
Ohio Arts Council***
National Endowment for the Arts***
IN-KIND
A J Rahn greenhouses
Jim Carroll & Marie Gemelli-Carroll
Cincinnati Parks Foundation
Cinemark
Coffee Emporium
Dewey’s Pizza
First Watch
GBBN
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Will Hillenbrand
Joseph Beth Booksellers
King Arthur’s Court
Koch Sporting Goods
Kroger’s On The Rhine Eatery
Learning Resources, Inc.
Mark Sweeney Buick
GMC
Kathy Merchant
Penn Station
Piada Italian Street
Food
Krista, Rodger & Charlie Pille
Debra Savage
Seven Hills School
Silver Spring House
Terrex Development & Construction
The Capital Grille
Jan & Owen Wrassman*
SPONSORS
Community Trust Bank
Gold Star
Graeter’s
DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT PRODUCTION TEAM
Kings Veterinary Hospital
Local 12
Macy’s Q102
The Summit Hotel
Time Timer
TriHealth
EVENT
SPONSORS
altafiber
ArtsWave
Barnes Denning
Neil Bortz
Bricker Graydon
Robert H. Castellini
Cincinnati Museum Center
Frost Brown Todd
Kay & Jack Geiger
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Beth & Louis Guttman
Hills Properties
Katz Teller
Mariner Institutional
PNC Bank
Christine & Charlie Schiff*
Terrex Development & Construction
The Harold C. Schott Foundation
UBS Financial Services
& Libby* & Tony Brock
Western & Southern Financial Group
This list reflects all gifts of $100 or more made between 06/01/2024 to 01/15/2025.
*TCT Board Member
**Company that matches employee giving.
***The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If you would like to make a gift, please see our website, www.thechildrenstheatre.com/support. Our mission is to educate, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through live professional theatre for youth!
We have made every effort to be as accurate as possible in compiling our list of wonderful supporters. If your name has been incorrectly listed or omitted, please contact Olivia Suttles at (513) 569-8080, x14.
Participating in arts experiences from a young age has proven social and academic benefits, which is why providing arts access to all children—regardless of socioeconomic status—is of the utmost importance to The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.
TCT’s cost-per-student to attend a MainStage performance is $30. In realizing this is a steep price for many local schools to pay, TCT provides subsidy so that schools pay a fraction of this cost, with further discounts for Title 1 and other schools that demonstrate financial need.
Last season, TCT provided over $900,000 in ticket subsidies to schools that would not have been otherwise able to attend a performance.
Thank you to The Sutphin Family Foundation and all who support
