Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed!

Scott & Joan Houghton have been performing together as a duo since 1984. They’ve played on variety stages throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan as Jessie & James, a comedy slack-wire and unicycling act. They spent three years as the featured comedy act with country music's Lee Greenwood both in Las Vegas and Tennessee, and seven years with Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. In 1996, the couple adopted their first dog from a shelter. Their second dog Chico, made his stage debut in 2005, and by 2007 they had hung up the unicycles and reinvented their act into Mutts Gone Nuts! The Houghton’s live on a small farm just north of Baltimore along with a miniature horse and two Potbelly pigs. When the dogs aren’t doing shows, they enjoy chasing squirrels, catching frisbees and taking naps. Once a dog is no longer interested in performing, they get to retire with a full pension.

Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy opens the show with his infectious personality. A native of West Berlin, Hilby now resides in Ithaca, NY with his wife and family. He is one of the most sought after variety performers in the country, bringing his uniquely funny show to young and old alike. One cannot help but be charmed by his lovable personality, and impeccable comedic timing as he manipulates objects ranging from bowling balls to Chinese Yo Yos. The New York Times called him “Rivetingly Absurd”; Hilby is sure the win your heart.

Alexandra Côté is from a small town in Quebec, Canada. You may have seen her appearance on America’s Got Talent. She also made the semi-finals on Canada’s Got Talent. Alex is currently featured in the Amazon Prime Docuseries, ‘A Different Breed’ which follows the top dog sport teams in the world. Alexandra got her first dog, Guizmo in 2011. He was a Border Collie and unfortunately had a lot of behavioral issues. Alexandra had to learn quickly how to train a reactive dog. She took classes and then a freestyle seminar and learned the foundations. She learned quickly and now teaches disc and competes across North America.

Biscuit was found as a stay in the Chicago area. He has incredible toy drive and will chase frisbees all day if he had his way. He, like many 6 pound dogs, rules the roost and will do his best to shut down any fun that is being had by his four legged house mates. Don’t let his small size fool you, he has a big heart.

Retiring this year is the fabulous Feather, like all Greyhounds is a gentle Giant. Laid back and loving, she is really the perfect dog. We all know Greyhounds love to run, but they love one thing even more, and that’s laying on the couch! Feather has a tattoo in her ear, which means she was in a racing program. We are guessing she wasn’t very fast because she ended up at the dog pound. Lucky for her, she was spotted and rescued by Star City Greyhound Rescue in Roanoke, Virginia. She may not be the fastest Greyhound, but when you see her jump, your jaw will drop. Feather holds the Guinness Book World Record for the highest jump by a dog, and is in training to be the best couch potato in the world too!

Louka is a beautiful, very active 8 year old Blue Merle border collie. What he loves above all is agility and dancing. Louka is often a very serious dog and has a very soulful sweetness. His speed will undoubtedly surprise you!

Lumina aka LUMI, is a young border collie whose name means light. Alexandra named her that, because she illuminates the life of her whole family. When Lumi was younger, she was very distracted by everything around her. With a lot of love, time and fun, she became incredibly talented and focused. She is living proof that you should never give up!

Pixel is a handsome little Heinz 57 mix that was adopted from Eastern Herding Dog Rescue, in Richmond, Virginia. Her mother was a stray that came in to rescue and gave birth to 7 puppies! Pixel’s DNA test revealed she is part Aussie, Cattle Dog, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahua. Although she is only 14 pounds, Pixel is a little tornado when it comes to work and play. This little girl can out run and out maneuver all the other dogs in the show! She debuted in the show a couple years ago and has proven to be a star. ‘Pix’ has a gentle nature and adores children. If you hear a dog yapping backstage, you can be sure it’s our little blabbermouth, ready to start the show!

Rocky is an is extremely high drive, classic black and white Border Collie. Our veterinarian contacted us about getting him in to rescue because he was so busy that his family had to keep him in their garage! Rocky needed a job and he was constantly looking for something to do. Samantha agreed to foster Rocky and he has flourished under her care. Rocky can jump rope double dutch and is insane about catching frisbees.

Seri is a beautiful Australian Shepherd. Seri, like many working dogs are given up each year because their families can’t keep them busy enough and bored working dogs can get destructive. There is a saying about working dogs . . . “If they don’t have a job, they’ll make a job!” They may start herding the neighborhood kids, or trying to bite the tires of passing bikes or cars. Other favorite jobs of bored herding dogs include digging up garden beds, removing upholstery from furniture and herding the family cat. Seri’s favorite job is chasing frisbees and she would do all day.

Tesla is an electrifying border collie that belongs to Alexandra. She has a lot of energy and LOVES to play. She lives in Quebec, Canada. Tesla performs in many sports including frisbee and dance. In 2024 received “Most Entertaining Freestyle” award at the USDDN World Disc Championships and recently took 7th place among the best competitors in the world. You may have seen her on America’s Got Talent (2021), where she wowed the judges and even got a kiss from the infamous Simon Cowell!

Platinum Benefactor, $10,000+
Missy Friede, VP Real Estate Sales, Keller Williams Seven Hills Realty
Miami Activities & Programming
Ohio Arts Council
Performing Arts Series Endowment Fund

Gold Benefactor, $5,000-$9,999
Cromer/Flory Artists-in-Residence Fund
John F. Keegan
Miami University FOCUS | Health & Well Being
Lutz Family Foundation

Sterling Benefactor, $1,000-$4,999
Jerome Conley
Greg & Renate Crawford
Enjoy Oxford
Dr. David B. Phillips Performing Arts Series Fund
Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Foundation
Ted & Dawn Pickerill
Deborah & Ronald Scott
Scott & Jennifer Walter
Western College Alumni Association

Benefactor Patron, $500-$999
Sabrina Jewell & Kirk Bogard
Patti & Steve Liberatore
Steve & Deb Snyder
Cheryl Young & Timothy Crawford

Sponsor Patron, $250-$499
Chris Adryan & Ann Larson
Dr. Terri Barr
Dubois Book Store
Carolyn & David Dewitt
Ryan Kwapniowski
Michael & Pate Rudolph
Dr. Mary E. Woodworth
Nancy & Steve Alexander

Sustaining Patron, $100-$249
Lisa Ellram & Jeff Siferd
Jack Green
Susan & Dave Pease
Jessica S. Rivinius
James & Pamela Robinson
Sally L. Smith
Jack & Sally Southard
Ben Swofford & Ramunė Bartuskaite
John & Ann Weigand

Patron $25-$99
Andrew H. Beal
Mrs. Lynn Burman Ritchey
Linda L. Ward
Amber L. Willeford

Dr. Cristina Alcalde
Professor, Miami

Jerome Conley
Dean of Libraries, Miami

Sabrina Jewell,  
Outreach Coordinator, Oxford Seniors

Jack Keegan
Retired Instructor/Green House Manager, Miami

Ryan Kwapniowski, president
Assoc. Director, Student Activities & Leadership, Miami

Susan Lipnickey
Associate Athletic Director, Xavier University

Mary Geren Lutz, vice president
President, Edgar Patrice Imports

Jacqueline Rioja Velarde
Associate Director, Center for American & World Cultures, Miami

Jessica Rivera
Assistant Professor, Departmetn of Music

Heidi Schiller
Executive Director, Oxford Community Arts Center

Ron Scott
Retired VP, Institutional Diversity, Miami

Dr. Toni Shorter Smith
Visiting Assistant Professor in Arts Management

Paige Bucholtz
MAP Executive for Arts and Events

Dr. Scott Walter
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Miami