ABOUT US!

Running Rabbit Family Theatre (RRFT) was founded in 2005 by producers and New Jersey artists Ellen Beattie and Paul Whelihan.  The mission is to create theatre for family audiences designed to enhance a lifelong appreciation of and support for the performing arts.

RRFT has been recognized and embraced for its significant ability to: develop, produce and present musical theatre of substance, merit and high entertainment value for multi-generational audiences; make theatre a frequent and regular option for families; enhance the artistic (and financial) involvement of audiences by offering pre and post performance activities, and educational and social opportunities connected to performances; ensure the integrity of production by employing professional (Actors’ Equity Association) performers, directors, designers and artist / educators; collaborate with other professional arts organizations in the State; provide exemplary programmatic and physical access to its’ artistic opportunities; and, offer educational classes and workshops in creative drama and musical theatre for young people.

RRFT opened in September at the Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University in West Long Branch and concurrently established itself as the resident theatre for young audiences at Two River Theater in Red Bank, and Luna Stage Company, Montclair.  Seven productions that season enjoyed engagements in all three locations.  In its first year, RRFT generated a great deal of interest, participation and community support, and was awarded an "out of cycle" grant from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.  Citing Whelihan and Beattie's artistic innovation while developing new works for family audiences in the past, the Foundation provided valuable start up funds for the fledgling organization.   This was followed by an invitation from the NJ State Council on the Arts to apply for funding (waiving the standard requirement that an organization be in operation serving the public for at least two years at the time of initial application).  The NJSCA awarded RRFT’s first-time request.  The State Arts Council and Dodge continue to support the organization as it flourishes.  In 2008, RRFT received the Annual Governor’s Invitational Tennis Tournament Award for artistic excellence.

Running Rabbit lives up to its name by performing in a variety of locations throughout the State, including Luna Stage, Pollak Theatre, Premiere Stages at Kean University, Montclair State University and Forum Theatre in Metuchen.

PAUL WHELIHAN is an actor, director, playwright, arts administrator and producer whose involvement in professional theatre is an ongoing mission spanning three decades. While he was still an undergraduate at Montclair State University, he and several colleagues formed the Ironbound Theatre in Newark, NJ. Ironbound Theatre’s mission was to develop new works by American playwrights. Paul served as the Managing Director and resident artist for eight years, guiding the organization in its role in the revitalization of the State’s largest city.

As an actor, Paul has performed extensively in off Broadway, regional theatre, television and movie projects that range from musicals to experimental and world premiere works. He has appeared in more than 160 stage productions in theatres throughout the country, and can be seen in prime time episodes and movies filmed in the New York metropolitan area.

At the 47th Street Theatre Off-Broadway, Whelihan excelled in the acclaimed drama, THE FLAME KEEPER in a role he originated at Luna Stage in Montclair. Most recently at Luna, he performed as John Tuttle in THE NORMALS, and notably was the Mayor in the professional premier of Sheldon Harnick’s DRAGONS (for which Paul received the STAR-LEDGER Award as Best Featured Actor in a musical). At the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, NJ, Whelihan played Pseudolus in A FUNNY THING … FORUM and soared as Miss Texas in the uproarious send up of beauty contests, PAGEANT (which subsequently played at the Cuillo Theatre in West Palm Beach, FL.) Other roles include Tevye in “Fiddler…”, Noah in Two By Two, the Princes, et.al. in The Rothschilds, and Harvey, et.al. in Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh in New York, Massachusetts and Florida. He originated characters in productions of OWED to MY FIRST LOVE (at Premier Stages, Kean University), KISS THE BRIDE, MR. RICKEY CALLS A MEETING and THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, among others.

Whelihan became a resident director of Pushcart Players, a national touring theatre company for family audiences based in New Jersey. During his twenty-one-year association with Pushcart, he worked as an actor and as the Director of Development. As Artistic Director he directed more than thirty-five original productions which continue to tour theatres and schools throughout the country.

Whelihan’s association with Forum Theatre Company (Metuchen) began as Director of Development in 1987. At that time, he substantially raised the level of contributed income, developed the first Board of Directors and acted as liaison to NJ Theatre Alliance (the coalition of the State’s professional theatres), while contributing to all other facets of producing. These included marketing, design and audience development. He thrived as an artist in residence, regularly writing and directing for A KID’S FORUM, the theatre for young audience program and directing and performing for the company’s Mainstage program until August of 2005.

Paul has written the libretto for and directed the noted musical productions of A WINNIE the POOH CHRISTMAS CAROL (an extremely popular adaptation of the Dickens classic featuring the characters of 100 Acre Wood in familiar roles), THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, THUMBELINA…and other tall tales (two innovative productions with NJ composer Paul Farinella), JAMES and the GIANT PEACH, GOLDILOCKS and the THREE BEARS , ALICE in WONDERLAND, (which were musicals performed with lip-syncing to established recordings of works ranging from Bruce Springsteen to The Pointer Sisters to Louis Armstrong), A THREE LITTLE PIGS WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE UGLY DUCKLING and TREASURE ISLAND, the first musical production in New Jersey to feature a cast of actors who are deaf and actors who are hearing, wherein the entire ensemble used sign interpretation throughout, while singing and speaking to illuminate the adventurous story. This ground-breaking production was funded by The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

In the autumn of 2005, Paul and his partner, Ellen formed RUNING RABBIT FAMILY THEATRE, established to continue the mission of creating innovative family theatre productions that instill a life-long appreciation for and the support of the performing arts.

ELLEN BEATTIE most recently served as the Artistic Director of A KID’S FORUM, after being an actress, director and administrator for twenty five years. At the Forum she presided over sixty musicals, fourteen of which are world premieres by New Jersey artists: SWORD IN THE STONE, THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, POCAHONTAS, THE VELEVETEEN RABBIT, JAMES and the GIANT PEACH, MOTHER GOOSE ROCKS, THUMBELINA…and other tall tales, A WINNIE the POOH CHRISTAMS CAROL, GOLDILOCKAS and the THREE BEARS, THE UGLY DUCKLING, A THREE LITTLE PIGS WHITE CHRISTMAS, TREASURE ISLAND and ALICE IN WONDERLAND. She has directed Forum productions of Charlottes Web, Sword in the Stone, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and School House Rock Live!. Many of the Beattie’s productions have toured the tri-state region, appearing at Queens Theatre in the Park, The Keswick Theatre in Pennsylvania, South Jersey Performing Arts Center, YM-YMHA of North Jersey, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, Apple Farms and various schools throughout the Garden State. She established “A Kid Forum, Jr.” a conservatory for young children emphasizing the “nuts and bolts” of musical theatre from auditioning and rehearsing to performing a full production on the stage.

Prior to her work at Forum Theatre she served as a resident actor and Director of Programs and Services for five years with the Pushcart Players, a leading NJ touring theatre for young audiences.

As an actress Ellen has appeared off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizon (ODYSSEY), Second Stage (WUTHERING HEIGHTS), Promenade Theatre (TEDDY AND ALICE), Town Hall (WIZARD OF OZ), Perry Street Theatre (ANDROCLES and the LION) and the New York City revival of Maltby-Shires STARTING HERE - STARTING NOW at the Duplex (which she produced and performed under the direction of Richard Maltby Jr.). National Tour credits include SHOWBOAT (with Donald O’Connor) where she understudied and performed the role of Julie, and SOUTH PACIFIC where she played Nellie Forbish with Georgio Tozzi. She has also performed with many regional and summer stock theatres in such diverse roles as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP of HORRORS, Sally Bowles in CABARET, Rosamund in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, Cleo in I LOVE MY WIFE, Martha and Amy in productions of COMPANY, and numerous others. A resident director at Shawnee Playhouse in the Poconos, Ellen has staged productions including DAMES AT SEA, SOUTH PACIFIC, HELLO, DOLLY!, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE and BIG RIVER. Television and film credits include three years with All My Children, stints on One Life to Live, Radio Days and Fisher King and She Devil. Principal commercial work has been with Burger King, Delta Dental, AT&T and Gallo Wine.

Ellen is a graduate from Harpur College (SUNY at Binghamton) with a B.A. in Theatre and Music and Manhattan School of Music with a certificate in vocal performance. She is a member of Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.