OUR STORY.
Enroot Theatre Project knows our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. In 2018 a group of young professional artists desiring to do theatre that asks more questions than gives answers and to unite our city through the open dialogue around an array of values and beliefs began a partnership with Taproot Theatre Company to produce theatre that cultivates these kinds of conversations. We hope to be a part of uprooting hate and division and enrooting an idea of love and celebration of differences through theatre that asks questions about faith, hope and justice.
MEET THE TEAM.
chelsea levalley
artistic director. First seen as a producing artistic director of StoryGirls copyrighted, in 4th grade on the playground at recess where she convinced the administration to let her company perform original plays in the elementary school auditorium. At Elon University, while getting her BFA, she similarly convinced the faculty to let her direct on the MainStage in the school year's open slots and directed multiple productions, including an adaptation of Speak Truth to Power. Additionally she is an AEA actor with Dulcina Eisen Associates in NYC, a former cast member of Come From Away, now on Broadway, and next up in Austen's Pride at The 5th Avenue Theatre. She is the founder and developer of Dramatic Arts programs and research for an education foundation, foundry10. She's been directing projects since 2008, most notably at Hangar Theater Lab Company in Ithaca NY and at the Village Theater Cope Gillett and occasionally writes. When not in the theater she'd like to be riding waves or snow. 
TYLER TODD KIMMEL
CO-MANAGING DIRECTOR. Tyler grew up in Seattle studying music and theater in school, churches, the Hi-liner’s Musical Theatre, and Taproot’s acting studio! He moved back to Seattle four years ago after spending seven years pursuing three degrees in music from Pepperdine University and Florida International University. While he had hoped to narrow his focus in college, he returned to Seattle to find all kinds of musical and theatrical opportunities waiting for him, and said yes to all of them. He spends his life as a collaborative musician, actor, middle and high school choral and theater director, music director, and private music teacher. It is now an amazing experience being back on the Taproot stages working along side the people who taught him decades ago! When not in the classroom or on stage, he can be found bouldering or hunting for churros. 
JESSI little
event producer. Jessi is a believer in stories, questions, discussions, and grace. In our world of individualism and technology she is excited to be a part of something that will bring different kinds of people into a room and have them share an experience. She thinks we could always use more of that. She is an actor, singer, and a really good mover, and has performed all around the western side of the USA. She hopes Enroot will be a theatre company that truly is a safe space for growth. |
ISAIAH CUSTER
marketing director. Isaiah is an arts marketer and has worked professionally as a communications manager, PR consultant, assistant stage manager and stage manager. In high school he produced and directed Arts In, a 4-H performing arts program; while at Northwestern College he acted, directed and designed multiple productions, including stage managing a show at KCACTF. He’s currently co-writing a play for Taproot Theatre’s touring company, editing a book series and watching as much theatre as possible. Instagram: @isaiahatleigh Twitter: @custerslastand 
emily shuel
CO-MANAGING DIRECTOR. Emily grew up performing at church and school, but after her first theater role playing Anne in Anne of Green Gables, it became clear that Emily had a theater calling for life. After graduating with a drama degree from the University of Washington, she joined an improv troupe (now Associate Director), began teaching, and continued acting professionally on stage and screen. Having a career in the arts has meant wearing many "hats" in addition to acting - from behind-the-scenes coordinating on film sets, to writing scripts, and now, Managing Director of a young theater company. The stories we tell and share have power; science is just beginning to quantify it, and creatives around the world have known it for centuries. To be able to affect fellow humans in this way, and curate the stories we tell our community, stories that empathize with the struggles of humanity, that point toward the hope of rising stronger after struggle is a great privilege, and the reason Emily is stepping into this role at Enroot. To balance, connect, and slow down, Emily's family takes daily walks through the neighborhood, literally stopping to smell the roses, wave at dogs, and point out every airplane that flies overhead. |
KRISTI MATTHEWS
production manager. Kristi grew up in Southern California and first felt the power of storytelling through classic literature and opera. She moved to Seattle in 2003, started working in theatre and just couldn't quit. She is now the Production Stage Manager at Seattle Pacific University and the Resident Lighting Designer/Advisor at Roosevelt High School. She also designs, stage manages, teaches, or is a technician at many theatres, high schools, and universities in Washington State. She serves as chair of the Technical Theatre Advisory Committee for the Edmonds School District and is a clinician and adjudicator for Washington State Thespians. Kristi's particular passion is fostering the Arts in education and theatre for youth audiences and is excited to create fearless theatre with ENROOT. 
ashley koon
ASSociate marketing director. Ashley has had a passion for social media and photography since graduating from West Virginia University in 2016 with a BFA in Acting. If she is not on stage you can catch her behind the camera or on a production team for theatres like Centerstage, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Artswest and now ENROOT. Instagram: @ha_koon_a_matata YouTube: youtube.com/ashleykoon More team members not yet pictured here:
Andy Rowland, Sarah Russell, Be Russell, Jed Mathre, Lindsay Kujawa, Aaron Norman, and others. |
Narrative imagining — story — is the fundamental instrument of thought. Rational capacities depend upon it. It is our chief means of looking into the future, or predicting, of planning, and of explaining.” |
Matthew 13:10
