Announcing the 2018–2019 cast of ‘Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’
Meet the actors who are making Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic come alive once again this winter. We asked CTC’s ‘Grinch’ cast to tell us how they build community and welcome others — just like how Cindy Lou welcomes the Grinch!
Reed Sigmund | The Grinch
“I believe ‘Community’ is really about a shared goal for the good of all. It’s about a large group of people who all celebrate the unique, individual differences of one another. It’s everyone in an area, recognizing each person’s special qualities, and working together to provide the best environment possible to promote the health and happiness of everybody. Not just some. Not just the ones who look like you. Or sound like you. Or believe like you. ‘Community’ isn’t easy. It requires respect, understanding, empathy, and a whole lot of listening. It requires giving. It requires learning. It requires caring. It requires work. And right now, there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Dean Holt | Old Max
“Community in my mind means inclusion, acceptance, compromise, shared experiences, history, tolerance, knowledge, and compassion. It is the very fabric of our day-to-day lives; be that in a play, at work, or in life. Community is the supporting network that allows transformation to begin; it is what allows a cast to become an ensemble, a group of Whos in Whoville to become a family, and what helps The Grinch grow his heart. Community means together, not alone, together — trusting, learning, and growing toward a stronger bond that connects us.”
Natalie Tran | Young Max
“The best time of bringing people together in my community was when I co-hosted the 2017 United Way Action Day. That day, 4,000 Twin Cities’ volunteers packed 12,000 backpacks with school supplies for Minnesota school children.”
Max Wojtanowicz | Grandpa Who
“Community is an experience: a feeling of welcome and safety for everybody in the room, especially the often-forgotten ones. This is what I love about theatre so much: it is a safe space to imagine worlds of radical inclusivity and community, and to brainstorm ways to bring those worlds to life!”
Janet Hanson | Grandma Who
“I like to welcome others with a hug (if appropriate) and a smile! I try to remember the Golden Rule and welcome folks as I would hope to be welcomed. My parents and my church have taught me to treat everyone with kindness and respect.”
Dwight Leslie | J.P. Who
“Community, to me, is family, making people feel at home wherever we are, and inclusion.”
Autumn Ness | Mama Who
“I always try way too hard when I want to welcome someone, and generally end up talking too close to their face and frightening them. I would definitely scare The Grinch away with my overly enthusiastic hugging. But my goal is always to let people know that they can be themselves, and that they are important and respected.”
Alexcia Thompson | Betty-Lou Who
“My family taught me that people won’t always remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. I make people feel welcome in new spaces by being kind and authentic. I greet people with warm energy and I try my best to be as present and open as possible. My hope is that this energy will invite them to do the same.”
Rowin Breaux | Danny Who
“A big part of community is about the support. To know that you are someone who is valued and appreciated. It’s about knowing that you are capable of building up others as well as yourself in order to reach or sustain a common goal.”
Austen Fisher | Who Man
“To me, community means a group of people who unconditionally support each other. This support can come in many forms — whether it be emotional, financial, or career support. Each member of a community unconditionally celebrates the success of one another and holds each other to a higher standard of love. I’m lucky enough to experience communities of friends, colleagues, and families every day in my life.”
Audrey Mojica |Cindy-Lou Who
“I think community means a group of people working together, people helping each other, and people caring about each other!”
Lillian Hochman | Tiny Who / Mini Max
“I try to make eye contact and smile whenever I see people in a new space. Overall I aim to always be a friendly person so no one ever feels like they don’t belong.”
Silas Leer | Mini Grinch
“To me, a community is where you feel like you belong. When I’m in a community, I feel like everyone gets included and not one person is left out.”
Micah Opseth | Who Man
“I think of community as people who experience life together. Perhaps we share a common town, school, church, neighborhood, family. The best communities encourage and support one another. They rejoice with one another when times are good and mourn with one another when times are hard. I have been fortunate to be a part of some very positive communities where I have been challenged to achieve my goals and to become the best person I can be. Life can be rough, but with a community, the road is not as rocky.”
Greta Nackerud | Who Woman
“Community is a circle of family and friends that support each other no matter the circumstances.”
Symphonie Whitted | Who Woman
“Community means being present for other people and assisting them when they need it the most.”
Mari Peterson-Hilleque | Who Girl
“Community is like a big family to me with friends and relatives working together, getting to really know each other and getting along.”
Arden Michalec | Who Girl
“When welcoming people in new spaces, it’s always important to be kind and accepting towards everyone — the smallest act of kindness can go the farthest way!”
Liliana McQueen | Who Girl
“I always greet people with a smile, and am a very happy, open person. I don’t pick out certain people that I will or won’t be friends with; I’ll hang out with everybody. I like meeting people as they are, making each other feel welcome, and having fun being the way we are.”
Peder Lindell | Who Boy
“ I love just walking over and getting to know the new people. I know from experience that being the only new person who doesn’t have a friend is really awkward, so by just saying ‘hi’ you can really change someone’s outlook on the day.”
Ella Freeburg | Who Girl
“Being in a new place can be intimidating. That’s why I try to be extra kind and let the new person know they are welcomed. Feeling welcomed makes being new a lot less scary.”
Will Schmitt | Who Man
“To welcome people into a new space I like to send warm, positive energy. I also like to strike up a conversation and break the ice so that everyone starts to feel comfortable!”
Nasir Lord | Who Man
“Community means the people around me living and working together as a team and family.”
Emanuel (Manny) Lopez | Who Boy
“I think community is the people and places that make you happy. It’s where my friends and family are, where I go to school and where I have fun. I feel my best when I am in my theatre community.”
Gerald Drake | Who Man
Dallas Downey | Who Boy
Louisa Darr | Annie Who
To snag your seat for Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, click here!
