About mad theatre
mad Theatre of Tampa, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, run by community volunteers. We welcome newcomers to the mad Theatre family in all areas: performance, production, direction, stage crew, costuming, set design, construction, lighting, and sound engineering.
Our goal is to produce shows that make you laugh, shows that make you think, and shows that make you want to get up onstage and perform with us. We’ll produce shows that will have you dancing in your seat or on your feet, and we’ll have shows that inspire you to change the world around you. And we’ll present them like you’ve never seen before.
We strive to honor diversity in our shows, inviting the culturally expanding community to celebrate their talent on the stage or to be members of our audience.
Like what you see? Then come join us! Send us an email at info@madtheatre.com. We are always open to your help and ideas!
Thank you for your interest and for visiting our website! We hope to hear from you soon!
Board of Directors
Cathy Hooten
PRESIDENTCatherine A. Hooten has been an active member of the organization since its inception and has served as the President of the mad Theatre Board of Directors for over ten years. Cathy has worked on every mad Theatre production in one aspect or another, whether she has coordinated set building in her driveway, served as the box office for multiple venues before mad found a home at the Straz Center, or sewed swastika armbands for our recent performance of Cabaret. Cathy oversees each production with an eye for detail, a mind on the budget, and thousands of delicious baked treats for each cast across the years.
Tony gilkinson
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DONALD B. HOLT, JR.
TREASURER
Donald B. Holt, Jr., better known as D.J., is very proud to work both onstage and behind the scenes for mad Theatre of Tampa. Audiences may remember D.J. from Personals, Reefer Madness (Watermark WAVE Award for Best Actor), Hairspray (Watermark WAVE Award for Best Actor), Nunsense, A-Men! (Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award), and Cabaret (Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award). In 2017, D.J. made his directorial debut with Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy Company. D.J. lives in Apollo Beach with his husband Dakota and their 3 furry kids: Toby, Mattie Mae, and Lily Anna.
ERIN COALSON
SECRETARY
Erin has been a part of mad Theatre since its inception in 1999. Her first ever theatre experience was mad’s first production: Pippin. In that 18-year span, Erin has been involved in just about every production of mad’s while also attending college, getting married, and having 2 children. Her true passion is her family and her health coaching business, but when the opportunity arises to dance in a show, she does her best to make the time available. She is very proud to be a part of mad Theatre. What we bring to the stage is just the beginning of the impact. The lives touched before, during, and after a production behind the scenes are immeasurable. She has seen engagements on stage, tears of joy, sadness, grief and pain. The future is bright for mad, and she welcomes you to join us in the journey.
Justin Batten
AT-LARGE MEMBERJustin began working with mad Theatre when he was cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, a role which earned him Best Leading Actor in a Musical from Broadwayworld.com. He was then cast as Tom Collins in the three-week, sold-out run of Rent. He later joined the Board of Directors as the Marketing and Promotions Chair. When not performing or working on a production, Justin is the Senior Manager for a National Marketing Division at GEICO. In the rest of his spare time, Justin works internationally with cheerleading teams and coaches, and serves as a judge on multiple panels and competitions.
Mark Creek
AT-LARGE MEMBERMark joined the board in 2010 and has been active in just about every show since by helping with set construction, program design and printing, mailing list management and e-blasts, website content, and service on the marketing team. He co-produced two shows, Hairspray and Rent, and is always amazed at the many facets of theatre. It takes incredible skills and talent all coming together to create live theatre, provoking thought, laughter, tears, joy, and hopefully change. Theatre brings people together and influences the way we think and feel about our own lives and encourages us to take a good look at ourselves, our values, and our behaviors. Mark attended St. Petersburg College and USF and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Here is an open invitation for you to come join in the fun!
Alex pasut
AT-LARGE MEMBERAfter retiring from a long career in the Medical Electronics field, Alex decided to continue where he left off as a teenager and play music. He went on to study Classical Music and Jazz at USF and played in the bass section of the University Symphony Orchestra. In his spare time, Alex designs and builds electronic gadgets for musicians . He is grateful to Mad Theatre for allowing him to play bass in the “pit” since 2011 and is excited about joining the Board. It’s good to be part of the Mad family!
Jessica Vitalo
AT-LARGE MEMBERJessica is making her Tampa Board of Directors Debut with mad Theatre of Tampa. Not a stranger to the performing arts, she has directed, choreographed and produced across the North East since 2003. From 2005-2008 Jessica toured across the country in an IMPROV Assembly Group, the Cameo Cast. In her early years she wrote, directed, mounted, and performed in many shows for Six Flags Theme Parks™. Jessica has taught ages 0-27 in the fields of Music, Voice, Theatre, and Dance. She most recently started an Assembly Company about Leadership, Mindfulness and Acceptance called LEAD U, touring the NJ, PA, NY & Canada School Systems. Jessica has performed all over the country, and is a Perry Award Winner for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Jo March in Little Women: the musical. Her favorite theatrical roles have included Peter Pan(Peter Pan), Annie Oakley (Annie Get Your Gun), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Dot/Marie(Sunday in the Park with George), Audrey(Little Shop of Horrors), Nellie Forbush (South Pacific), The Bakers Wife and Witch(Into the Woods), and both NJ Premiers of Avenue Q (Kate Monster) and Rent (Maureen). In her “spare time” she is on the Board of Team Rookenthal Foundation; a partner with Cycle for Survival and Memorial Sloan Kettering for rare cancer research! She currently works as the Marketing and Events Manager for a Medical IPA Firm and is a Music Together™ Teacher at Allisongs for Tots™ in Tampa. Thank you to mad Theatre and the Board of Directors for this wonderful opportunity. A LARGE thank you to the PATRONS for keeping the ARTS alive! She looks forward to mounting many fun, creative, and successful shows with mad Theatre of Tampa.
Cathy Hooten
PRESIDENTCatherine A. Hooten has been an active member of the organization since its inception and has served as the President of the mad Theatre Board of Directors for over ten years. Cathy has worked on every mad Theatre production in one aspect or another, whether she has coordinated set building in her driveway, served as the box office for multiple venues before mad found a home at the Straz Center, or sewed swastika armbands for our recent performance of Cabaret. Cathy oversees each production with an eye for detail, a mind on the budget, and thousands of delicious baked treats for each cast across the years.
Erin Coalson
SECRETARYErin has been a part of mad Theatre since its inception in 1999. Her first ever theatre experience was mad’s first production: Pippin. In that 18-year span, Erin has been involved in just about every production of mad’s while also attending college, getting married, and having 2 children. Her true passion is her family and her health coaching business, but when the opportunity arises to dance in a show, she does her best to make the time available. She is very proud to be a part of mad Theatre. What we bring to the stage is just the beginning of the impact. The lives touched before, during, and after a production behind the scenes are immeasurable. She has seen engagements on stage, tears of joy, sadness, grief and pain. The future is bright for mad, and she welcomes you to join us in the journey.
Donald B. Holt, Jr.
TREASURERDonald B. Holt, Jr., better known as D.J., is very proud to work both onstage and behind the scenes for mad Theatre of Tampa. Audiences may remember D.J. from Personals, Reefer Madness (Watermark WAVE Award for Best Actor), Hairspray (Watermark WAVE Award for Best Actor), Nunsense, A-Men! (Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award), and Cabaret (Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award). D.J. lives in Apollo Beach with his husband Dakota and their 3 furry kids: Toby, Mattie Mae, and Lily Anna.
Justin Batten
AT-LARGE MEMBERJustin began working with mad Theatre when he was cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, a role which earned him Best Leading Actor in a Musical from Broadwayworld.com. He was then cast as Tom Collins in the three-week, sold-out run of Rent. He later joined the Board of Directors as the Marketing and Promotions Chair. When not performing or working on a production, Justin is the Senior Manager for a National Marketing Division at GEICO. In the rest of his spare time, Justin works internationally with cheerleading teams and coaches, and serves as a judge on multiple panels and competitions.
Mark Creek
AT-LARGE MEMBERMark joined the board in 2010 and has been active in just about every show since by helping with set construction, program design and printing, mailing list management and e-blasts, website content, and service on the marketing team. He co-produced two shows, Hairspray and Rent, and is always amazed at the many facets of theatre. It takes incredible skills and talent all coming together to create live theatre, provoking thought, laughter, tears, joy, and hopefully change. Theatre brings people together and influences the way we think and feel about our own lives and encourages us to take a good look at ourselves, our values, and our behaviors. Mark attended St. Petersburg College and USF and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has worked as a reflexologist and in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Here is an open invitation to you to come join in the fun!
mad Theatre of Tampa, Inc.
P.O. Box 8417
Tampa, FL 33674
813-386-6173
info@madtheatre.com
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place Tampa, FL 33602
The Straz Ticket Office Is Available
Sun. Noon - 6 p.m.
813.229.STAR (7827)
Photo Credit: Designs by Vito: @dbvito
Producing Sponsor
The Barrymore Hotel, located in Tampa’s Downtown near Tampa Heights and directly across from the Straz Center, features comfortable accommodations and soon-to-be refreshed event space perfect for social events, office parties and holiday parties. Our Sales Team will gladly provide a tour of our banquet space and help you start planning your gathering! Afterwards, enjoy a meal at the Continental restaurant and lounge, the brand new eatery located adjacent to our hotel. The Continental is a “mid-century modern” inspired concept featuring dishes made famous by some of the most historically iconic hotels and restaurants across America alongside a classic martini bar showcasing finely-crafted cocktails.
Enjoy Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3PM-7PM for $2 off specialty cocktails, $4 Wells and $5 house wines and drafts – the perfect spot for a drink and dinner before shows at the Straz!
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