Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Created and conceived by John Ellingson and Sarah Jane Hardy
Run time: Approx. 1 hour, no intermission
Thank you to our sponsors!
Kafoury McDougal: Lawyers for the People
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Cultural Trust
NWCT’s Donor Families
Media sponsors:
PDX Parent
NW Kids
Cast
MAD HATTER:
John Ellingson
WHITE RABBIT:
Henry Martin
SPECIAL GUEST:
ALICE:
Asher Smith
Creative Team
DIRECTOR:
Sarah Jane Hardy
MUSIC DIRECTOR:
Ezra Weiss
SET/PROP/COSTUME DESIGNER:
John Ellingson
LIGHTING DESIGNER:
Paul Brown
LYRICS:
Jeff Sanders
STAGE MANAGER:
Henry Martin
Production & Support
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
Sarah Jane Hardy
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
John Ellingson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR:
Steve Hambrick
MASTER CARPENTER:
Paul Brown
BOARD OPERATOR:
Roger Monroe
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Lea Zawada, SUCHa Production
Musical Numbers
Tea for Two
Ace and The Jack
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Hokey Pokey
So Long, Farewell
Meet the Cast
John Ellingson (Mad Hatter) is thrilled to be having tea with so many young theater goers and their families!
“The Mad Hatter is so much fun! Creating a show for him gave Sarah Jane and me the perfect opportunity to include so many of the performance styles I enjoy – clowning, magic, singing and dancing and playing with the audience!”
John has delighted audiences in numerous NWCT shows. Memorable roles include Gerald in Elephant and Piggie, Mr. Wormwood in Matilda, Bert in the 2014 production of Mary Poppins (Drammy Award for Best Actor), Prince Bobby in Cinderella, Cat in the Hat in Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, Pigeon in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, MC Dog in Go Dog Go, and Pooh Bear in The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Henry Martin (White Rabbit) is delighted to be part of this unique show! He’s been part of NWCT since he was 10, and it’s been like a second home ever since.
Most recently, he played Pete in Pete the Cat. Some of his other favorite roles include Space Cowboy Hank in The Halloween Ball, Cow Patty Boy in The Stinky Cheese Man (NWCT Alumni Show) and Huckle Cat in Busytown.
When he’s not on stage, you’ll usually find him behind the scenes running sound and lights for NWCT Mainstage productions.
Henry wants to give a big shoutout to Sarah Jane and John for their support and to Roger for stepping in as sound and light operator for this show. Thanks to his family, friends, and the amazing NWCT team for making this such a special place!
Asher Smith (Alice) is excited to be back at NWCT for her fourth show! You may have seen Asher as Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Olive in Pete The Cat or Yellow Dog in Go Dog. Go! Asher has also been seen in Bonnie and Clyde at Bridgetown Conservatory, A Christmas Story at Lakewood, Orlofskys Party with Renegade Opera, and Slash with the Reformers.
Meet the Creative Team
Sarah Jane Hardy (Director) is the Artistic Director of NWCT. Some of her favorite NWCT directing experiences include Pete the Cat, Go, Dog, Go! Matilda the Musical, Rudolph, Chitra, the Girl Prince in partnership with Anita Menon, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, adapted for the stage by local composer Ezra Weiss, and Mary Poppins (twice!).
Sarah Jane loves working with John (Ellingson) to invent brand new experiences for children and families to attend at The Judy! “The Mad Hatter is such a fun character. He is the perfect host for a tea party where the only thing to expect is the unexpected!
Ezra Weiss (Music Director) began working in theatre when he was 10 years old, and he’s been music directing NWCT shows for over twenty years. Favorites include Crazy for You, Seussical, and Matilda the Musical.
Ezra has written Alice in Wonderland, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and Cinderella for NWCT, and he is currently composing the music to The Golem’s Gift.
Ezra has also been active as a jazz musician, leading bands at festivals and clubs around the U.S., including numerous week-long engagements at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. He has released eight albums as a bandleader, has been listed in DownBeat Critics polls, and has received the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award three times.
Paul Brown (Lighting Designer) has been with the company for over 25 years.
Previous shows he has designed include Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frog and Toad, Jungle Book, Elephant and Piggie, as well as many shows for Catalyst, like Newsies and Hamlet. Paul is a graduate of PSU.
