Seussical The Musical

Upright theatre company, february-march 2026

Roles: Co-Director (w/Natalie Burkhart), Scenic Designer, Scenic Carpenter, Scenic Artist

PHOTOGRAPHS BY Delaney Rain Photography

Seussical offered us the opportunity to build a world rooted in imagination, wonder, and the joy of storytelling. Together, Natalie Burkhart and I approached the production with a desire to bring the unmistakable visual language of Dr. Seuss to life while remaining grounded in the heart of the story. Through a playful, storybook-inspired aesthetic, exaggerated characters, and an embrace of theatricality, we sought to create a world that felt as limitless as the imagination itself.

At the center of our approach was the balance between fun and meaning. We wanted audiences to delight in the absurdity and spectacle of the Seussian world without losing sight of the messages beneath it. Community, imagination, and wonder informed our approach throughout the production. The Cat in the Hat served as our guide, an active storyteller who could shape events when needed and step aside when the story was ready to speak for itself.

This production was especially meaningful to me because my history with Seussical began nine years earlier, when Natalie directed me in Seussical Jr., my first musical. In the years since, she has become a mentor and an important influence on my growth as an artist. Returning to this story together, this time as co-directors, brought that journey full circle. Our collaboration was built on mutual trust, constant communication, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every element of the production served a unified artistic vision. From staging and design to the smallest character moments, we worked together to create a world where whimsy and sincerity could exist side by side.

Ultimately, we hoped audiences would leave with more than a smile. We wanted them to carry a little more wonder into the world around them, along with a reminder that imagination brings us together and that every voice has a place in the story.