2023 MAD HATTER BALL HONOREES
TOP TALENT IN ALL OF THE ARTS IN THE ILLINOIS VALLEY!
We are so incredibly delighted to announce this year's cream of the creative crop in the tri-county area!
There were so many amazing nominations this year for the Mad Hatter Ball student honorees that it was almost impossible to choose among them...but choose we did, and here they are! To see & hear their amazing performances, join us at the 2023 Mad Hatter Ball in the beautiful, historic Westclox event center on November 17th. Support the Arts. Support talented local kids. Get your tickets here today!
This year's Mad Hatter is none other than Don Grant Zellmer!
Don’s background of over five decades as a professional entertainer includes performing all
over the country in showrooms, casinos, cruises, legitimate theatres, and film. Don has
appeared on stage with Hollywood legends such as Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney as an
opening act, as well as for numerous popular recording artists like Barbara Mandrell, Tony
Orlando, The Diamonds, and even comedienne Phyllis Diller.
He was a director/choreographer/featured performer for Cargill Productions, NYC. For 20 years,
he owned and operated Zellmer’s Dinner Theatre in the Peoria, IL area, and before returning to
the Illinois Valley area, Don spent two seasons headlining two shows in Branson, MO. He and
partner Dr. David Kuester have operated the Follies Theatre in Utica and Yorkville, now a
production company providing entertainment at venues since 2004, and for the past 19 years,
Don has been the Director & Choreographer of Musical Theatre at IVCC (Illinois Valley
Community College). The college theatre department received the 2021 award from the Illinois
Theatre Association for their Quality and Excellence, Live Theatre Productions.
Don’s numerous professional stage roles include Harold Hill in MUSIC MAN, P.T. Barnum in
BARNUM, Don Lockwood in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (18 month run), George M. Cohan in
GEORGE M!, Herbie in GYSPY, Dick in DAMES AT SEA, Sam in MAMMA MIA!, Walter in
ELF—THE MUSICAL, Nicky Arnstein in FUNNY GIRL, PUMP BOYS & DINETTES, ON A
CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, DISTASTER! THE
MUSICAL!, Mack in MACK & MABEL, and literally dozens of others, as well as film and
television. Still performing professionally, he recently starred in IS THERE LIFE AFTER FIFTY?
at Conklin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in Goodfield, IL. He has hosted numerous telethons as well as
charitable events.
Don lives in LaSalle with his partner of 19 years, Dr David Kuester, Professor of Speech and
Theatre, IVCC, and is proud dad to Lexi Grant (Zellmer) Kaiser, also a choreographer, director,
and performer, and he and David are “Papa Don” and “Papa Dave” to grandsons Addison Grant
(4), Henry (9), and the most recent addition, Bradley (6 months). Don is the Group Tour Director
& Tour Escort at Travel Connections, Peru, IL, and when not on stage, is probably taking a
group of travelers on vacation both domestically and internationally. He annually escorts tours to
NYC for a Broadway tour, and favorite destinations include “anything with a beach,” Savannah
GA, Salem MA, cruises, and his favorite souvenir to bring back is “a tan.”
There were so many amazing nominations this year for the Mad Hatter Ball student honorees that it was almost impossible to choose among them...but choose we did, and here they are! To see & hear their amazing performances, join us at the 2023 Mad Hatter Ball in the beautiful, historic Westclox event center on November 17th. Support the Arts. Support talented local kids. Get your tickets here today!
This year's Mad Hatter is none other than Don Grant Zellmer!
Don’s background of over five decades as a professional entertainer includes performing all
over the country in showrooms, casinos, cruises, legitimate theatres, and film. Don has
appeared on stage with Hollywood legends such as Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney as an
opening act, as well as for numerous popular recording artists like Barbara Mandrell, Tony
Orlando, The Diamonds, and even comedienne Phyllis Diller.
He was a director/choreographer/featured performer for Cargill Productions, NYC. For 20 years,
he owned and operated Zellmer’s Dinner Theatre in the Peoria, IL area, and before returning to
the Illinois Valley area, Don spent two seasons headlining two shows in Branson, MO. He and
partner Dr. David Kuester have operated the Follies Theatre in Utica and Yorkville, now a
production company providing entertainment at venues since 2004, and for the past 19 years,
Don has been the Director & Choreographer of Musical Theatre at IVCC (Illinois Valley
Community College). The college theatre department received the 2021 award from the Illinois
Theatre Association for their Quality and Excellence, Live Theatre Productions.
Don’s numerous professional stage roles include Harold Hill in MUSIC MAN, P.T. Barnum in
BARNUM, Don Lockwood in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (18 month run), George M. Cohan in
GEORGE M!, Herbie in GYSPY, Dick in DAMES AT SEA, Sam in MAMMA MIA!, Walter in
ELF—THE MUSICAL, Nicky Arnstein in FUNNY GIRL, PUMP BOYS & DINETTES, ON A
CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, DISTASTER! THE
MUSICAL!, Mack in MACK & MABEL, and literally dozens of others, as well as film and
television. Still performing professionally, he recently starred in IS THERE LIFE AFTER FIFTY?
at Conklin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in Goodfield, IL. He has hosted numerous telethons as well as
charitable events.
Don lives in LaSalle with his partner of 19 years, Dr David Kuester, Professor of Speech and
Theatre, IVCC, and is proud dad to Lexi Grant (Zellmer) Kaiser, also a choreographer, director,
and performer, and he and David are “Papa Don” and “Papa Dave” to grandsons Addison Grant
(4), Henry (9), and the most recent addition, Bradley (6 months). Don is the Group Tour Director
& Tour Escort at Travel Connections, Peru, IL, and when not on stage, is probably taking a
group of travelers on vacation both domestically and internationally. He annually escorts tours to
NYC for a Broadway tour, and favorite destinations include “anything with a beach,” Savannah
GA, Salem MA, cruises, and his favorite souvenir to bring back is “a tan.”
Honoree Bios
Student honorees representing LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties will perform and present their work at the 7th Annual Mad Hatter Ball on Fri., Nov. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m.(Doors open at 5:30pm) at the Westclox Event Center in the west wing of the historic Westclox building in Peru.
This year’s honorees include: Isabella Argubright, LaSalle-Peru High School, dance; Jordan Britt, Bureau Valley High School, saxophone; Emily Kmetz, LaSalle-Peru High School, voice; Roxana Ramirez, Mendota High School, visual art; Brennan “Bird” Roden, Princeton High School, voice/theater; Aubrey Sanders, Ottawa High School, flute; Madison Schweickert, LaSalle-Peru High School, dance; and Aubrey Siebert, St. Bede Academy, visual art.
Isabella Argubright (dance) is a senior at LaSalle-Peru Township High School and is the daughter of Shannon and Michael Argubright. Isabella has danced for 14 years, and her teachers include Shannon Argubright, Jessi Spear-Hansen, and Missy Wujek. She participates in Cavalettes, Link Crew, Senior Board, and Harbor Homeroom at school, and has been in the DC Dance Company for six years. At the Dance Center, Isabella participates in tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. She has performed in countless Spring and Holiday shows, Maud Powell Arts Celebrations, the Nutcracker, and five Stage 212 productions. Isabella loves dance because her mom has inspired her throughout her entire life, and has grown to love it more and more throughout the years. She was born into the dance world, with her mom and grandma Vicky teaching her everything that she knows. She has met some of her lifelong friends through dance and learned many valuable lessons along the way. Isabella loves working with young children and enjoys watching all of her students at the Dance Center grow and mature throughout the season. She thinks that the arts are important because it helps any individual of any age express themselves creatively and provides an outlet to escape from any real-world difficulties that may arise. Dance is such a big part of Isabella’s life, and she is so grateful for all of the memories that she has because of it.
Jordan Britt (saxophone) is a senior at Bureau Valley High School and is the son of Paul and Natalie Britt of Wyanet. As a talented pianist and saxophonist, Jordan has played for 11 years and his teachers include Jeannie Brown and Alexandra Krug. He participates in drama club, marching band, jazz band, acapella choir, dance, and NHS at Bureau Valley and volunteers at the Princeton haunted house, Festival 56 over the summer, and anywhere he can find to give help. He loves the arts because he feels that he has found a home amongst people with a common interest. He thinks the arts are important because they provide entertainment for all those around and a sense of unity even if only for a short time. He hopes to attend Belmont University for musical theatre. He became interested in theatre after attending Camp 56 a few years ago.
Emily Kmetz (vocalist) is a Senior at LaSalle-Peru High School and is the daughter of Mike Kmetz of LaSalle and Jennifer Burkett of LaSalle. Emily currently studies with Jeni Roether at Music Suite 408. At LPHS, she participates in concert choir, spring musicals and plays flute in band. Emily has been selected for both flute and voice for District #2 ILMEA and Honors All-State choir. Emily is a member of the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble and studies flute with Sue Gillio. She was the Senior Division 2023 winner of the Illinois Valley Symphony Young Performers Competition and was a featured student soloist with the IVSO in March 2023. Additionally, she has performed in productions at Stage 212. Emily plans to attend a four year college studying video game animation. “Participating in the arts, whatever it is that you do, whether that be singing or something else, relieves the stress of everyday life. The arts also allow you to make meaningful connections that can change you life. In short, singing and playing music, doing art as well, is something that drastically changed the course of my life”.
Roxana Ramirez, (visual artist), is the daughter of Ana Arroyo of Mendota. She is a senior at Mendota High School and is involved with the Art Club under the tutelage of Brock Sondgeroth. She has appeared at the BNC Art show conferences, winning prizes in the drawing and painting categories. Painting and charcoal drawing are her favorite mediums.
Brennan “Bird” Roden (voice/theater) is a Senior at Princeton High School and is the child of Tracy Boylan and Dave Roden, and sibling of Em Roden. Bird’s entire life has been full of theater, having worked with directors including Rachel Gorenz-Johnson, Ron McCutchan, Joan Simpson, and Sara Compton. Brennan participates in the fall play, Spring musical, Madrigal Singers, and Wellness Club at Princeton High School and dances at the Main Street Dance Academy. Bird has worked backstage for Festival 56 in their 2022 and 2023 seasons. Brennan's interests include fashion, Cryptids, Star Trek, and the color yellow. Coming from a family of artists, Bird has a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Aubrey Sanders (flutist) is a senior at Ottawa Township High School and is the daughter of Ted and Keisha Sanders. She has played the flute for seven years and is a student of Cindi Isenhower. Aubrey has participated in choir, acappella choir, band, jazz band, tennis, Do Change Mentor, Honor Society, Operation Snowflake, and Student Council at OTHS. She is also the principal flute in the Northern Illinois University Youth Sinfonia and participates in the youth group and praise team at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Aubrey loves how music touches people of all ages, and that music is a lifelong activity, which she is very passionate about. She believes the arts are important because they are a creative outlet for everyone and are an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Aubrey plans to attend a four year college and major in Music Education.
Madison Schweickert (dance) is a Senior at Lasalle - Peru High School and is the daughter of Joe and Lori Schweickert. Madison has danced for 12 years and her teachers include Ms. Shannon Argubright, Ms. Jessi Spear-Hansen, and Ms. Missy Wujek. She participates in Cavalettes and Senior Board at Lasalle-Peru High School and helps out with summer camps in Oglesby, IL. Madison has also been part of the Dance Center LaSalle Company Team for six years. She has always loved dance since she was very young, improvising to any song she hears, which is what convinced her mom to put her in dance. Her future plans are to attend IVCC and then transfer to Joliet Junior College (JJC) to study to be a Veterinarian Technician.
Aubrey Siebert (visual art) is a senior at Saint Bede Academy and is the daughter of Lance and Julie Siebert. She has been painting and drawing for seven years and her teachers include Mr. Richard Cummings and Mrs. Mary Janusick. Aubrey participates in cheerleading and scholastic bowl at Saint Bede and 4H with the Dimmick Braves. Aubrey’s love of art started with a gift card for lessons from her aunt and she has been painting and drawing ever since. She loves to paint meaningful gifts for family like her brother’s first homerun, a barn located near her house for her cousin, the falls from her dad’s hometown, and daisies for her aunt because they are her favorite flower. At her sister’s travel softball games she has become quite famous with the team’s younger siblings who love to challenge her drawing skills with requests. She is “all in” when it comes to making the people she cares about happy. This is why she loves what she does in the arts.
“The Mad Hatter Ball is the regional equivalent of a state championship of the arts, where topnotch local talent is honored, great food is eaten, and prizes and music and fun fill up the evening,” said Julia Messina, executive director of NCI ARTworks. “This event showcases local student performers in ALL of the arts: visual, music, performing, literary, etc.”
Dinner music will be provided by Al & Jeannie Brown; Ladd Sound Productions/Mario Data will DJ; and the Mad Hatter will emcee the event, where the Queen of the Arts will be crowned for the seventh year in a row. Tickets are $45 and are available online at nciartworks.com or by calling (815) 866-5167.
Student honorees representing LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties will perform and present their work at the 7th Annual Mad Hatter Ball on Fri., Nov. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m.(Doors open at 5:30pm) at the Westclox Event Center in the west wing of the historic Westclox building in Peru.
This year’s honorees include: Isabella Argubright, LaSalle-Peru High School, dance; Jordan Britt, Bureau Valley High School, saxophone; Emily Kmetz, LaSalle-Peru High School, voice; Roxana Ramirez, Mendota High School, visual art; Brennan “Bird” Roden, Princeton High School, voice/theater; Aubrey Sanders, Ottawa High School, flute; Madison Schweickert, LaSalle-Peru High School, dance; and Aubrey Siebert, St. Bede Academy, visual art.
Isabella Argubright (dance) is a senior at LaSalle-Peru Township High School and is the daughter of Shannon and Michael Argubright. Isabella has danced for 14 years, and her teachers include Shannon Argubright, Jessi Spear-Hansen, and Missy Wujek. She participates in Cavalettes, Link Crew, Senior Board, and Harbor Homeroom at school, and has been in the DC Dance Company for six years. At the Dance Center, Isabella participates in tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. She has performed in countless Spring and Holiday shows, Maud Powell Arts Celebrations, the Nutcracker, and five Stage 212 productions. Isabella loves dance because her mom has inspired her throughout her entire life, and has grown to love it more and more throughout the years. She was born into the dance world, with her mom and grandma Vicky teaching her everything that she knows. She has met some of her lifelong friends through dance and learned many valuable lessons along the way. Isabella loves working with young children and enjoys watching all of her students at the Dance Center grow and mature throughout the season. She thinks that the arts are important because it helps any individual of any age express themselves creatively and provides an outlet to escape from any real-world difficulties that may arise. Dance is such a big part of Isabella’s life, and she is so grateful for all of the memories that she has because of it.
Jordan Britt (saxophone) is a senior at Bureau Valley High School and is the son of Paul and Natalie Britt of Wyanet. As a talented pianist and saxophonist, Jordan has played for 11 years and his teachers include Jeannie Brown and Alexandra Krug. He participates in drama club, marching band, jazz band, acapella choir, dance, and NHS at Bureau Valley and volunteers at the Princeton haunted house, Festival 56 over the summer, and anywhere he can find to give help. He loves the arts because he feels that he has found a home amongst people with a common interest. He thinks the arts are important because they provide entertainment for all those around and a sense of unity even if only for a short time. He hopes to attend Belmont University for musical theatre. He became interested in theatre after attending Camp 56 a few years ago.
Emily Kmetz (vocalist) is a Senior at LaSalle-Peru High School and is the daughter of Mike Kmetz of LaSalle and Jennifer Burkett of LaSalle. Emily currently studies with Jeni Roether at Music Suite 408. At LPHS, she participates in concert choir, spring musicals and plays flute in band. Emily has been selected for both flute and voice for District #2 ILMEA and Honors All-State choir. Emily is a member of the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble and studies flute with Sue Gillio. She was the Senior Division 2023 winner of the Illinois Valley Symphony Young Performers Competition and was a featured student soloist with the IVSO in March 2023. Additionally, she has performed in productions at Stage 212. Emily plans to attend a four year college studying video game animation. “Participating in the arts, whatever it is that you do, whether that be singing or something else, relieves the stress of everyday life. The arts also allow you to make meaningful connections that can change you life. In short, singing and playing music, doing art as well, is something that drastically changed the course of my life”.
Roxana Ramirez, (visual artist), is the daughter of Ana Arroyo of Mendota. She is a senior at Mendota High School and is involved with the Art Club under the tutelage of Brock Sondgeroth. She has appeared at the BNC Art show conferences, winning prizes in the drawing and painting categories. Painting and charcoal drawing are her favorite mediums.
Brennan “Bird” Roden (voice/theater) is a Senior at Princeton High School and is the child of Tracy Boylan and Dave Roden, and sibling of Em Roden. Bird’s entire life has been full of theater, having worked with directors including Rachel Gorenz-Johnson, Ron McCutchan, Joan Simpson, and Sara Compton. Brennan participates in the fall play, Spring musical, Madrigal Singers, and Wellness Club at Princeton High School and dances at the Main Street Dance Academy. Bird has worked backstage for Festival 56 in their 2022 and 2023 seasons. Brennan's interests include fashion, Cryptids, Star Trek, and the color yellow. Coming from a family of artists, Bird has a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Aubrey Sanders (flutist) is a senior at Ottawa Township High School and is the daughter of Ted and Keisha Sanders. She has played the flute for seven years and is a student of Cindi Isenhower. Aubrey has participated in choir, acappella choir, band, jazz band, tennis, Do Change Mentor, Honor Society, Operation Snowflake, and Student Council at OTHS. She is also the principal flute in the Northern Illinois University Youth Sinfonia and participates in the youth group and praise team at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Aubrey loves how music touches people of all ages, and that music is a lifelong activity, which she is very passionate about. She believes the arts are important because they are a creative outlet for everyone and are an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Aubrey plans to attend a four year college and major in Music Education.
Madison Schweickert (dance) is a Senior at Lasalle - Peru High School and is the daughter of Joe and Lori Schweickert. Madison has danced for 12 years and her teachers include Ms. Shannon Argubright, Ms. Jessi Spear-Hansen, and Ms. Missy Wujek. She participates in Cavalettes and Senior Board at Lasalle-Peru High School and helps out with summer camps in Oglesby, IL. Madison has also been part of the Dance Center LaSalle Company Team for six years. She has always loved dance since she was very young, improvising to any song she hears, which is what convinced her mom to put her in dance. Her future plans are to attend IVCC and then transfer to Joliet Junior College (JJC) to study to be a Veterinarian Technician.
Aubrey Siebert (visual art) is a senior at Saint Bede Academy and is the daughter of Lance and Julie Siebert. She has been painting and drawing for seven years and her teachers include Mr. Richard Cummings and Mrs. Mary Janusick. Aubrey participates in cheerleading and scholastic bowl at Saint Bede and 4H with the Dimmick Braves. Aubrey’s love of art started with a gift card for lessons from her aunt and she has been painting and drawing ever since. She loves to paint meaningful gifts for family like her brother’s first homerun, a barn located near her house for her cousin, the falls from her dad’s hometown, and daisies for her aunt because they are her favorite flower. At her sister’s travel softball games she has become quite famous with the team’s younger siblings who love to challenge her drawing skills with requests. She is “all in” when it comes to making the people she cares about happy. This is why she loves what she does in the arts.
“The Mad Hatter Ball is the regional equivalent of a state championship of the arts, where topnotch local talent is honored, great food is eaten, and prizes and music and fun fill up the evening,” said Julia Messina, executive director of NCI ARTworks. “This event showcases local student performers in ALL of the arts: visual, music, performing, literary, etc.”
Dinner music will be provided by Al & Jeannie Brown; Ladd Sound Productions/Mario Data will DJ; and the Mad Hatter will emcee the event, where the Queen of the Arts will be crowned for the seventh year in a row. Tickets are $45 and are available online at nciartworks.com or by calling (815) 866-5167.