An Interview with Peter Pan’s Captain Hook: John Ellingson of NW Children’s Theater and School

by Beth Friesenhahn

If you’re looking for a special outing to share with your family this holiday season, please don’t miss the opportunity to see Peter Pan. Northwest Children’s Theater and School have completely outdone themselves with this magical, swash-buckling, musical performance. Even our youngest (age 3) and usually quite squirmy was completely wide-eyed and captivated throughout the entirety of the show, which runs over two hours in length. If you love adventure, swordplay, fairies and JM Barrie’s story about the magic of childhood, your heart will swoon as you watch your children’s eyes light up. Oh, and did I mention, there’s tons of FLYING! Not only did we get to see the performance, but we were able to interview John Ellingson who spoke enthusiastically about playing Captain Hook and what he loves about being Northwest Children’s Theater and Schools resident actor/artist.

How long have you been acting? Where’d you get your start?

My parents always said I brought “color and light” into the family. I was always playing dress up and putting on plays with friends, and anything musical I always loved, but I started as a clown at the age of 8, and continued to clown around for 14 years. Then musical theater became my goal, and my first big role was playing Raulf in the Sound of Music.

Did you have an “A Ha!” moment when you realized you wanted to be an actor?

I have them every day. I always had a strong feeling and want, to be on the stage, to dance. Later that became a desire to simply tell stories in anyway I can. My big “A Ha!” moment was when I learned that whether it’s with a red nose, or with a musical, or just with a book read aloud to a group of kids, it’s the interaction with people that makes my job so great, and there is no better audience then kids. They keep it very real for me.

How do you prepare for a role?

I like to start with falling in love with the role, to be excited about it, that part is very easy for me, then I look at what I need to do to play it, again a very fun part. Do I need to learn a new skill, do I need to get into a different shape, how should they look and move,? I start with the story and what this new character needs and wants, and then I put as much ” icing” as I can into it until it’s cooked and ready to see what the kids think. Yeah, it’s like making a cake I guess.

Why do you think theater is important?

So many reasons, but I think the connection with people is most important. When live story telling has a live interaction between the people watching and listening to that story, it creates a one of a kind moment, no matter what kind of story or how that story is being presented. That is SOOO important to have in our lives, and what I like about being a children’s theater performer, is that you have be in that moment at all times. It’s all so new for our younger audiences, I don’t believe they are here at the theater to have a intellectual experience, but more of a adventure. They are ready to sit at the edge of their seat and jump right into the story, and if they fall into that story, they have a magical time.

Who is your favorite character you’ve played to date?

Who? I think it has to be the pigeon, in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. It’s one of my favorite books, and putting that one on the stage was very magical for me. I don’t know who had more fun, It might’ve been me in that show.

If you could act opposite of any one person who would it be, and why?

That’s really hard. I am going to have to say, Carol Burnett. She makes me laugh and I love watching her in all of her work, I would love to be on stage with her.

Is there a special character you would love to play?

Many. I will bring it down to two. Burt in Mary Poppins, and Dumbo—I would like to play an elephant.

Do you have any advice for young actors or people who want to do what you do?

Laugh every day, make a fool of your self as much as you can, be brave and always jump into the deep end, and the unknown. Work hard and find things that make you work harder, it should always feel good at the end of the day. And learn to be as loud as you can in what you feel, and also to be the best listener as well. Hold on to your dreams tight and keep dreaming. Above all, play.

What can we look forward to seeing you in in 2013?

Well, the Cat in the Hat is next up. I did the role with our artistic director, Sarah jane Hardy, seven years ago and we are jumping back into that show with a great cast. I am very very giddy about playing the cat again. He is a little crazy. Sarah is planning our new season as we speak but that wont get announced till Marchish, but i am very excited for what is in the works, I do have the best job ever!