Local Theatre Icon: Dean Holt

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dean Holt has been entertaining audiences at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) for over 30 years – he is a familiar face in so many productions. He's a two-time Ivey Award winner and recipient of the St. John’s University Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding work in his field. We sat down with him to understand his approach to acting for children (and adults), keeping ego out of performing, and why it is so rewarding to perform for young audiences – as he says, they “lean forward into adventure!”

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

You can see him perform as Old Max in Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! through January 4 - tickets for this show always go fast so get yours today.   

Q:  You’ve been performing beautifully at CTC for decades - congratulations on that accomplishment. What first drew you to children’s theatre, and what has kept you here all these years? 

A:  Thank you! I came to CTC right out of college for what was to be a one-year apprenticeship. I quickly fell in love with this organization and the people that made the impossible seem possible. I stay because this work truly matters and because of the open imaginations of the audience we serve. Young people come to our stories with a sense of curiosity and openness to whatever adventure awaits, rather than sitting back in their seat, they lean forward. 

Q:  How has your approach to acting changed over time, especially when performing for young audiences? 

A:  My biggest lesson has been to try to lead with a generous spirit, thinking of my impact on others versus self. I think ego can be the quickest way to create failure and prevent us from being open to new ideas and growth as artists. I also take pride in the role I play in the rehearsal room, which is sometimes even more important than the part I play onstage. This work and this theatre are a gift to me and to the community.

Dean Holt in Reeling. Image courtesy of Children's Theatre Company

Q:  What’s the most challenging role and also favorite role you’ve ever taken on at CTC, and why? 

A:  That's hard to say; a challenge can be defined in so many different ways. It could be challenge within a process, a character trying to be found, a creative collaboration or simply the physical request of a production. My answer would likely be our production of Reeling, which was based on the silent film work of Buster Keaton. The show was built from the ground up for me and, while challenging for all the reasons above, it is the show I am most proud of.  An incredible team of artists came together to solve problems and build a remarkable show. 

Q:  How do you keep performances fresh when doing long runs of a show for young audiences? 

A:  I always remember our audience, they choose to spend their money to be transported into a world, and I want to deliver an experience that will be a cherished family memory. I also try to remain curious, imagining how I can keep working to make each moment better the next time. Nothing is ever truly solved; there is always room for new discoveries. It keeps me invested and connected to the show and requires an attention to details that, I think, deepens the work. 

Q:  Is there a particular production that you feel defines your time at CTC? 

A:  Well, definitely, REELING was a magical experience, but I have had many magical moments at this place; it's why I'm still here. Any opportunity I get to collaborate with my fellow company members, Reed Sigmund and Autumn Ness, is time I cherish. They are incredible artists, collaborators and very dear friends of mine. They are a part of so much that defines my time and memories at CTC. 

Q:  Do you have a favorite story of a child’s reaction during or after a performance? 

A:  Yes, in 1997 I was playing a dog in a play at CTC (and I thought I was truly killing it with my performance). From barks to howls, to physicality, investment in moment and sweat I felt "one" with my performance. This feeling of confidence came crashing down when I leaned back towards the audience in a pivotal moment of the show only to hear a child ask their parent, "Why is the monkey sweating?" That was the moment I lost any sense of ego! 

Q:  You’ve been at this craft for 30 years and have observed so many audiences in that time. Why do you think theatre is so important in the lives of young people? 

A:  I think because it is immediate, it is happening in real time and they feel a part of the danger and opportunity of that immediacy. They have a safe space to encounter characters, conflicts and situations reflecting their own experiences and allow imagination and creativity to be their guide in that experience. 

Q:  Many adults also attend CTC productions. How do you balance entertaining kids while also engaging the adults who attend? 

A:  We always strive to make work that serves all generations, there are moments and stories within every show that connect with different age groups for unique reasons. I love that the car ride home is where those really cool conversations take place about favorite moments or characters within the play, how they agree or disagree, or how they can't wait to come back for the next adventure. 

Q:  How do you hope your work will be remembered by the generations of kids who have seen you on stage? 

A:  Less about my work specifically but more about the work of this place, CTC is a magic-making space. The artists that come together to create work with the sole purpose of tapping into imagination is what I hope continues long after I leave here. A place where we reach high rather than say it's good enough, where we challenge the idea that "children's theatre" is anything different than "theatre." Story is at the heart of any play, whether it's for adults or children, and the same level of investment, care and detail is necessary to make that story come alive to its fullest potential. We are cultivating the next generation of theatre goers and theatre makers, and that is what I take the most pride in. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  I guess by coming to see a show at CTC, it's where I spend the majority of my time, so look for me there!