What is a Think?

It’s a question I’ve asked myself many, many times during the development of this production. On the surface, it is easy to read a Dr. Seuss book, and to understand that a “Think” is simply a fun pre-school-aimed word for “imagination”—an abstraction of the human capacity to create with our minds. 

But is that all a “Think” is?

In our show, we visualize the concept of a “Think” as a burst of color that springs from the gray, muddled mess of our brain—or from the simple blank slate of the page of a book. 

Our “Thinks” are no longer intangible, they take on a life of their own! They hardly exist in isolation—they intermingle with other “Thinks”— and with that interaction, they have tremendous power to change, help, hurt, guide, and inspire each other! They even create the next generation of “Thinks!” Can we then, really minimize a “Think” into just a figment of imagination? 

At its heart, Horton’s story is about the transformative power of love and kindness, as well as loyalty and responsibility. It’s a potent, timely lesson in a post-truth world of cultural Me-ism. He is an admirable hero whose positive “Thinks” have a profound effect on those he chooses to help. And yet, Horton’s flaw is that he believes he is alone in his struggle—his own “Thinks” betray him. He perseveres in isolation, not able to understand that help is just a “Think” away if he could open his mind to the possibilities that are right in front of him. 

“Thinks” are powerful!

The power and timelessness of Dr. Seuss’ work extends from that hidden complexity. A facade of silliness, child-like joy, playful curiosity and approachability that belies the deeper meaning and often harder truths of its message.

Its beauty, though, lies in that you—the viewer—get to make the decision about what to take away from it. We hope we’ve left you smiling and entertained you just a bit, of course! But is it all just silliness? Or is it something more? 

What do you Think?

Wickersham 1 - Grayson Mercer 

Wickersham 2 - Emmy Geddes 

Wickersham 3 - Conley Crawford 

Ensemble - 

Breklyn Kollman
Claire Howell
Eliza Morley

Ian Mercer

Simon Carey

Spencer Taylor

Gertrude - Claire Anderson
Audrey McDonald
Blake Ballentine
Cam Jones
Cara Hicks
Elsy Mabey
Elyn Bohrn
Lucy Jensen
Riz Loveridge
Swayzie Hinton
Valley Hopkinson

Artist - Charlotte Hodges
Baker - Lily Dahl
Baker - Knight Meyer
Baker Kid - Grant Ballentine

Baker Kid - Megan Ballentine
Bee Keeper - Emri Kirkham
Bee Keeper - Lincoln Oliphant
Builder -  Esme Allan 

Builder - Lily Meyer
Constable - Julian Newcomb
Doctor - Joseph Newcomb
Elderly Who - Eleanor Coltrin
Elderly Who - Jack Adams
Farmer - Ayrabel Crawford
Florist - Yumi Loveridge

Little Farmer - Olivia Hansen

Seamstress - Claire Dibble

Alligator - Emelia Shields

Baby Bear - Kent Jones

Frog - Charlotte Howell
Giraffe - Luke LeBaron
Hippo - Gabe Colvin
Judge Yertle - Bridger Dalton

Lemur - Jane Banks
Leopard - Kassidy Berbert
Lion - Jonah Taylor
Mama Bear - Rylee Burgon

Marshal - Luke LeBaron

Papa Bear - Bridger Dalton
Snake - Sofia Montgomery
Tiger - Rosie Tucker 

Vlad Vladikoff - Gabe Colvin

Zebra - Aubrey Geddes

Zebra - Ailey Ashby

Zebra - Parker Jones

Ethan Ashby

Hunter Taylor

Ashley Bingham

Gracie Grimm

Megan Oliphant

Landon Havican

Miles McDaniel

Noah Lane

Kloee Lambson

Myles Rasmussen

FIREFLY HELPERS

Ally Mabey

Aubrey Enger

Zoey Kollman

Johnnie Oliphant

LIGHTING TEAM

Lighting Designer - Johnnie Oliphant

Megan Campbell 

Kate Freiss

Eli Hall

Gabriel Mercer

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Gabriel Mercer

Director/Artistic Director – Candice Mitchell
Assistant Director – Andrea Taylor
Producer – Bethany Hall
Assistant Producer – Carrie Mercer
Production Manager – Kristin Montgomery
Stage Manager – Leslie Ashby
Assistant Stage Manager/Mic Wrangler – Megan Oliphant
Vocal Director – Melodie Lund
Assistant Vocal Director – Sterling Lund
Assistant  Vocal Director – Audrey Jones
Choreographer – Hilly Carey
Assistant Chroeographer – Sarah Martin
Costumer – Emily Berbert
Assistant Costumer – Mary Meyer
Assistant Costumer – Laura Allen
Make Up – Shelby Walles
Props Team Lead – Erin Oliphant
Props – Raili Ballentine
Scenic Design – Shaun Mitchell
Set Team Lead – Julia Lloyd
Set Forestry – Marianne Walker
Set Carpentry – Bart Sloan
Set Consultant – Tavnir Carey
Volunteer Coordinator – Amy Mabey
Volunteer Coordinator – Amy Morley
Concessions/Merchandise – Laura Hansen
Graphic Designer – Julia Lloyd
Photography – Amy Allred
Sound Engineer – Jesse Clayton
FoH Lighting Manager – Megan Campbell

Arts Council Rep – Amber Abel