Meet the MAddest Hatter of them all...
Don Grant Zellmer!
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 2025 Mad Hatter Ball in the beautiful, historic Westclox event center on Friday, January 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 his 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.”
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 his 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.”
“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 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 eighth year in a row. Tickets are $45 and are available online at nciartworks.com or by calling (815) 866-5167.
Dinner music will be provided by 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 eighth year in a row. Tickets are $45 and are available online at nciartworks.com or by calling (815) 866-5167.