Fun Freetime - Interview with Dean Holt, Director of CTC's Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

 I recently had a chance to interview Dean Holt, director and Old Max in Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, coming soon to Children's Theatre in MN.

Dean Holt and Reed Sigmund in Children's Theatre Company's 2023 production of 'Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'. Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography

What is it like bringing a long-time favorite back to the stage?

    Any chance we get to step back into a world is a wonderful opportunity. It allows us to reconnect and build on choices that we've made, dive deeper into our understanding and telling of the story and, hopefully, create an even richer experience for our audience. Grinch holds so many special memories for those of us connected to it and I personally feel a warm sense of tradition each time we journey back to Whoville. 

How has your experience with the Grinch changed over the years since you were first involved with the show?

    My first experience with the show was in 1994. It was my first season at CTC and our very first production of Grinch. I was lucky enough to be in the room as the script and music were developed, designs were finalized and explorations of how we could bring the characters of the Whos, the Grinch, and Max to life onstage were made. It was all new to me and I was just happy to be in such a creative environment. It seemed like magic to me, stepping into a professional theater just out of college and marveling at the size and scale of this production. Over the years I've come to appreciate the collaboration and contributions of all of the productions of this piece. So many beautiful choices and, in my mind, such a deepening of our understanding of how to tell this story. I think the show has evolved in a beautiful way and captures the true meaning of the holidays.

What is it like doing double-duty as director and performer?

    I absolutely love it! I think as a performer you have an inside view of the world of the play, you try to connect to characters and story with your castmates and conjure a world that the audience will embrace. Knowing what it feels like inside the production is invaluable when stepping out into the director's chair. You really can feel the "how" and "why" of choices that need to be made. I think it allows me to connect in a more complete way with the show, my own character of Old Max and with the rest of the team. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.

What makes The Grinch such a timeless tale?

    Boy, I think this story is timeless because of its message of what is truly important, being together, welcoming others - that it's not the stuff but the people that bring value to our lives. I think it's also special because of the holidays and the feelings that surround us at this time of the year. We can feel a warmth inside as the air starts to change, the first snowfall, familiar music on the radio, smells of cherished family recipes coming from our kitchens. We get a child-like sense of excitement and anticipation for what is to come, we feel nostalgic and sentimental for what has been, and we look for opportunities to connect with our loved ones. This show helps add to those feelings, it magnifies the spirit of community and welcoming, it celebrates togetherness and creates a space for new family memories and traditions. 

How does the CTC keep it fresh each year?

    We always want to feel like we are delivering a special experience to the audience. Even though we're telling the same story we work very hard to make sure the storytelling is strong, the characters are true and the show is as fresh as the first time we told it. I love to find ways to add to the experience, trying to personalize moments for the audience (either by the way the Grinch interacts with them as he goes into the audience, or in the details of the story that create moments of connection between actor and audience). The more we can "feel" things together, the richer the experience both onstage and off. Whether we laugh together, are surprised in moments or have our hearts grow with the Grinch, we celebrate a moment in time together which, again, is what makes this experience so special.

Ticket Information
 

Tickets may be purchased online at childrenstheatre.org/grinch or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $20.
 

School groups interested in attending Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! can contact schools@childrenstheatre.org for more information.

 

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has a run time of two hours with one 20-minute intermission.  

 

This production is best enjoyed by all ages. Lap passes are available for children 3 years and younger.

November 4, 2025-January 4, 2026

UnitedHealth Group Stage

Best for all ages!

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Dean Holt* is a Twin-Cities based theatre artist and longtime member of CTC’s Acting Company (1994-present). Highlights in that time include Reeling, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella, among many others. He is inspired by CTC’s quality of productions, the incredible artists and staff that he has been fortunate to collaborate with, and, most of all, the students that have brought joy and wonder to the rehearsal rooms and stages, allowing imagination and play to remain a central part of his life. Dean is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the recipient of two Ivey Awards as well as the Alumni Achievement Award from St. John’s University.  

 *Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.