OUR MISSION
To provide affordable performing arts education and performance opportunities for children, adults, and families and broadly accessible live theatre production opportunities for Broomfield, Colorado and surrounding communities.
Please click here to read our action plan for practicing anti-racism and anti-discriminatory behaviors within our company.
BackStory Theatre practice the Colorado Theatre Guild's Community Standards for Theatre
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OUR TEAM
Paul Romig-Leavitt, he/him, (Left) (Executive Director) is a versatile and accomplished artist known for his work in various creative fields, including music, film, and theatre. With a background that spans across multiple disciplines, Paul has distinguished himself as a dynamic performer and creator. He holds a BA in Music from Colorado Christian University and has been performing in churches and bands in the Denver area since 2002. Apart from music, Paul is a producer and director of short films and plays and his work has been seen around the country by over 500K people. Paul has had a long history with live theatre as well, teaching with his partner, Christa, for many years for Colorado ACTS theatre in Arvada. Paul is the author of "Cue Lines", a collection of short plays and sketches that published in 2012. In 2006, Paul founded Torn Curtain Arts, a non-profit company that provides creative consulting and interim worship leaders to over 20 churches and non-profits in Colorado. Paul's dedication to his craft and his love for encouraging artists makes him a notable figure in the wider Denver creative community. Paul and his family have been Broomfield residents since 2012 and have been loyal participants in BackStory since 2014 with his two daughters, Stella and Dayli participating in many classes and productions over the years. Contact him!
Christa Romig-Leavitt, she/her, (Right) (Artistic Director) is a versatile artist and educator based in Broomfield. With a BA in Theatre from Colorado Christian University, where she was recognized as the outstanding graduate by the faculty, Christa has a rich background in the arts. She has worked as a speaker, writer, director, educator, and actress for both commercial and non-profit clients. Christa has taught theatre with Colorado ACTS and Torn Curtain Arts as well as working as a children's pastor for two metro area churches. Since 2011, she has been dedicated to homeschooling her two daughters, Stella and Dayli. Outside of her professional and teaching endeavors, Christa enjoys yoga, hiking, tap-dancing, and participating in two book clubs (she would be in more if there was more time to read). Contact her!
Nellie Speers, she/they, (Artistic Instructor & Stage Director) studied at Ithaca College where she earned a BA in Theatre Studies and a minor in Literatures in English. After graduating, she enjoyed working with children aged 9 months to 5 years as an assistant head start teacher in upstate New York. Nellie's theatrical passions include dramaturgy, performance, stage management, and directing. She is especially interested in devised work and has participated in devised performances with the Ithaca College Senior Ensemble and the Bryn Mawr College theatre department. Nellie is an avid hiker and found her way to Colorado through her seasonal trail maintenance work in Rocky Mountain National Park. Contact them!
Abbie Mayfield, she/her, (Artistic Instructor & Choreogrpher) is a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, graduating this December with her BA in Theatre and a minor in Creative Writing. Her main focus as a theatre artist includes acting, directing, and choreography. Most recent credits include directing The Doctor in Wonderland at BackStory and getting certified in stage combat! In the future, Abbie looks forward to more opportunities to act and direct... and graduation, of course! When not in the theater, Abbie enjoys paddleboarding, exploring coffee shops around Denver, and hanging out with her cat, Calypso. Abbie is excited to be a Teacher Artist at BackStory and continue sharing her passion for theatre with this community. Contact her!
Stella Romig-Leavitt, she/her, (Artistic Instructor & Vocal Coach) Stella is a BackStory veteran. She started attending BST's Make Believe & Beyond classes in fourth grade as a 9-year-old. Her involvement with BackStory’s programming continued until she graduated in 2023. Before graduating, she spent four years in BYLP (BackStory Youth Leadership Program), working her way up to the program chair. Through this, she found a passion for teaching and uplifting kids through theater! Along with Teaching at Backstory, Stella attends Emily Griffith Cosmetology School, works at a Denver salon, and continues her vocal training. Contact her!
OUR VISION
We believe community is enriched by theatre! As one of the most versatile art forms around, theatre provides an excellent vehicle for delivering a wide range of experiences and connections from educational to interpersonal and creative. Our unique performance program, which we call "Make Believe and Beyond" (MBB) is rooted in the practice of devised theatre. Working as a team, participants of all ages collaborate in classes to adapt a well-known story (or expand on shared values) for stage production. By collaborating in this way, we are able to meet students where they are in each activity. MBB for kindergartners looks very different than MBB for high schoolers, and yet, each are building on existing skills to expand their ability to communicate, empathize, problem solve, structure a well-crafted story (or persuasive argument), and develop their working memory. Enrichment of our whole community means that we must meet participants where they are, ask questions, and remain aware and curious about the barriers to full participation in our society. That means cultivating an inclusive space where the participants drive the definition of what makes them feel safe. It also means partnering with other nonprofits, service agencies, schools, business, and individuals in creative ways to meet the needs of participants who do not have reliable transportation, have financial or housing instability, speak a primary language other than English, or who need therapeutic support for developmental, physical, mental health, and learning differences in order to be successful in activities. Our educational approach is rooted in Vygotskian theories of modeling and scaffolding to cultivate each individual's growth and confidence. Our definition of "BackStory" means that we aim to be a meaningful and positive component of all participants own backstory as they move through life. Theatre truly is for everyone, and we hope everyone in our community will stop by and find a way to connect with us, suggest a program, develop a program, or take a class!
OUR HISTORY
Founder Anna Marie Wilcox conceived of BackStory in 2006 after recognizing a distinct lack of accessible performing arts opportunities in the Broomfield community where she lived with her family. With an extensive background in theatre education and production, Ms. Wilcox sought to establish an organization that would bring affordable performing arts classes and productions to all members of the community. Colorado non-profit status as BackStory Theatre was received on January 1, 2011, and federal 501(c)(3) status in November 2013. By 2015, rapid growth from 9 registrations in 2006 to over 800 at the end of 2014 led to a process of restructuring, strategic planning, and capacity building to transition the organization from its roots as a small but successful sole-proprietorship to an organization with a strong and active board of directors, highly-qualified key leadership staff, and more capacity for growth. After Ms. Wilcox moved away from the area to focus on her family, former Teaching Artist and program assistant Mary Wilkie was hired as Executive Director and Artistic Director, where she served until 2023.
Throughout this time, BackStory has accomplished its mission by providing free theatre arts programs at schools and through other local organizations, offering affordable class and performance fees, reducing fees through student work-study programs and parent volunteer opportunities, extending scholarships to families in need, and by making performances open to the public at a cost as low as $3 per ticket (and free for children under 4). For the past few years, BackStory has prioritized service outreach to live its vision of enriching the community through theatre. In 2019, BackStory provided over 100 hours of free enrichment to community members and, particularly, underserved populations with Sister Carmen Community Center, Broomfield FISH, The Refuge, Emerald Elementary, Alicia Sanchez Elementary, Garden Center Apartments, Broomfield Council on the Arts and Humanities, and through partnerships with the City & County of Broomfield's HHS, Parks & Recreation, and Library divisions. Fiscal saving priorities begun in 2016 towards a goal of moving into a long-term, large leased space for classes and performances resulted in a move into our first studio home on Burbank Street in June 2018, where we are delighted to have room to grow and space to expand classes and small performances. We are active members of Turnpike Arts District, Broomfield Council on the Arts and Humanities, and Colorado Theatre Guild and serve on the Broomfield Communities That Care Coalition board.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thank you for your leadership, time, and dedication to BackStory Theatre!
Our Board of Directors volunteer expertise in finance, communications, marketing, fundraising, business, arts, and more!
We are grateful for their guidance as BackStory enriches the community in Broomfield and beyond!
President Misae Vela Brol (March 2019 - current)
Vice President Matt Sturtz (February 2019 - current)
Secretary Dorian Wilderman (October 2023 - current)
Treasurer Samantha Dei Rossi (August 2021 - current)
Former Executive Director Mary Wilke (March 2015 - December 2023)
Past Director John Svensk (March 2019-May 2023)
Past Director Tinna Petursson (June 2015 - May 2023)
Past President John Dilts (August 2017 - January 2023)
Past Director Alexis Ball (June 2015 - January 2022)
Past Director Jennifer Bryner (August 2017 - January 2022)
Past Director Marc Schmidt (July 2015 - January 2019)
Past Director Ted Halbert (July 2015 - April 2019)
Past President Tracy Egler-Roback (June 2015 - April 2020)
Founder Anna Marie Wilcox (2006-2015)