Taproot Theatre Launches Fundraising Campaign After Devastating Vandalism and Theft
The Seattle company seeks community support after its Greenwood neighborhood space was targeted
Taproot Theatre has launched its “Together with Taproot” fundraising campaign to raise $400,000 after experiencing devastating vandalism and theft. Two of the theatre's three air-conditioning units were destroyed and stripped for their copper, leaving Taproot unexpectedly vulnerable. While the theft was small, Taproot now needs to raise significant funding to facilitate a comprehensive overhaul of its Jewell Mainstage HVAC system in order to sustain the theatre.
Coming off two successful productions that kicked off Taproot's 2026 Jewell Mainstage Season, this tragic incident comes at a time of celebration: Taproot's 50th Anniversary Season. This historic year was designed to honor the theatre's legacy and celebrate its ongoing mission to tell stories of hope—but the theatre is also telling its own story of hope and resilience. Taproot has overcome a number of hardships, including a ruinous fire in 2009, and is now being confronted with vandalism and theft.
“Over these five decades, Taproot has survived economic crashes, the digital revolution, a fire that destroyed our building, a literal explosion in our neighborhood, and a global pandemic, and we're still here,” Producing Artistic Director Karen Lund said. “This vandalism and theft is threatening to shut us down once again, but we will persevere with the help of our friends and neighbors.”
From just a few canceled performances of Taproot's most recent production, Ain't Misbehavin', the theatre learned about its direct impact on the Greenwood neighborhood. When Taproot is dark, restaurants and local businesses are naturally affected.
“We are so lucky to have Taproot Theatre in PhinneyWood. In an era where small, local theatre is struggling to survive and produce compelling programming, Taproot is a wildly successful anomaly,” Phinney Neighborhood Association Small Business Advocate Chris Maykut said. “They are somehow able to thread the needle and bring us highly-acclaimed plays, pack the house, pay their actors a competitive wage, and somehow remain affordable and accessible. Anything we can do to support such a unicorn is a no-brainer,” Maykut said.
The incident occurred on the theatre's roof where no cameras were able to capture the crime. A police report has been filed but no suspects have been charged.
Donations are accepted at taproottheatre.org/together. For any donation-related questions, please contact Director of Development Gina Cavallo at 206.529.3678 or via email at development@taproottheatre.org.
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