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Our
Story
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 Mission
To provide affordable performing arts education and performance opportunities for children and families, and accessible live theatre production opportunities for Broomfield, Colorado, and surrounding communities.
Our
Values
We are Creative, Empathetic, Consistent, Story-Driven and Community Oriented. - We do hand-made theatre - We are in person, and off screens. - We highlight our lines and write our blocking in pencil. - We obsess over quality. - We work at a normal human pace. - We play the long game. - We are more curious and less certain - We build trust through consistency
Our Programs
How We Achieve Our Mission Through Innovative Programs
Classes & Camps
At Backstory, we offer engaging classes and camps designed for children and teens aged 4 to 18 years old. Our programs foster creativity, collaboration, and confidence through a variety of activities, including storytelling, acting, and performance arts. Each session encourages young minds to explore their imagination while developing essential skills in a supportive environment. Join us for an unforgettable experience where every participant can unleash their potential and create lasting memories!
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Youth Productions
Backstory's auditioned youth productions provide an exciting platform for talent, taking place three times a year. Each production allows young performers to take the spotlight, enhance their abilities, and work alongside other artists. Featuring a diverse range of genres and themes, these shows offer an immersive experience for both participants and audiences. Come and join us in celebrating creativity and enthusiasm in youth theater!
Community Outreach
Backstory is dedicated to enriching our community through our outreach program, which offers free or low-cost programs to Broomfield and the surrounding counties. In the past we have proudly partnered with Title I schools like Emerald Elementary, providing valuable educational experiences. Additionally, we have brought joy to local libraries with free performances of Fairytale Theatre and our musical, ensuring that the magic of the arts is accessible to everyone in the community. Together, we strive to inspire and engage through the power of storytelling and performance.
Our Strategy
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!
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team drives our mission and stays true to our purpose.
We are proud to have such talent leading the way.
Christa Romig-Leavitt
Artistic Director
(she/her) Christa 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 director 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 Christa!
Paul Romig-Leavitt
Executive Director
(he/him) Paul is a versatile artist working in music, film, and theatre. With a BA in Music from Colorado Christian University, he's performed and taught music in Denver since 2002. Paul has produced films and plays seen by over 500K people nationwide, taught theatre with partner Christa and authored the book "Cue Lines" (2012). As founder of Torn Curtain Arts, he provided creative consulting Colorado non-profit organizations since 2006. A Broomfield resident since 2012, Paul and his daughters Stella and Dayli have been active with BackStory since 2014.
Rae Debord
Teaching Artist, BYLP Leader
(she/they)
Rae is absolutely thrilled to be directing Newsies with BackStory Theatre for the 2025 season! A lifelong lover of the arts, they just graduated from UNC with a BA in Theatre Education and have been involved in theatre for as long as they can remember.
Their passion lies in storytelling, especially digging into character work and exploring relationships on stage.
They’re deeply committed to creating a collaborative, joyful, and supportive space where young performers can grow, thrive, and discover themselves. Rae is eager to become part of the BackStory family and is counting down the days until they can meet all the amazing kids and families involved.
Outside of the theatre, they share their lives with two cats and their three younger siblings, whom they live with in a large family house. Rae also enjoys reading and doodling in the margins of just about everything.
Danielle Bailey
Instructor
(she/her) Danielle’s love for imagination and play began when she was very young. An afternoon of joy could often be found with merely a trunk full of dress-up clothes or a menagerie of Barbie dolls to help create stories and worlds that didn’t exist before. She graduated in 2004 from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and a minor in Dance. After a couple of years, she returned to school and graduated in 2011 from Florida Atlantic University with a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre. Danielle is excited to share her passion with the next generation of make-believers at BackStory.
Maddy Wagner
Music Director, Instructor,
(she/her) Maddy has had a love for theater for as long as she can remember. She holds a Master
of Music from New York University in Vocal Performance, with a concentration in
Musical Theatre. She was fortunate to have several theatre educators who shaped her
life growing up, and she is passionate about passing that same love of theatre onto
young performers to come. She has had the opportunity to work both on and off stage
with several local theatre companies and is thrilled to be joining the Backstory
community!
Marie Chavez
Instructor
(she/her) Marie graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a minor in Theater. If she had to pick a favorite Broadway show, she’d probably choose The Cursed Child—with Wicked as a close second. BackStory represents Marie’s introduction to teaching; previously she worked as a radio producer & writer for a local AM talk station (along with multiple stints as a barista, fulfilling every cliché involving English majors). She has one kiddo who will almost certainly join the theater world as soon as he’s old enough for the k-2nd grade classes at BackStory! Fun fact: Marie met Christa & Paul back in 2012, touring with a small acting troupe from her university. When she eventually married one of the other actors on the team, Paul officiated the wedding! Contact Marie!
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Stella Romig-Leavitt
Instructor, Social Media Manager, BYLP Sponsor
(she/her,) 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 Stella
Michaela Bonnell
Instructor,
(she/her,) Michaela has been teaching kids in Colorado as a subsitute teacher for over 10 years! She brings her creative and warm personality to every class she teaches and we're thrilled to have her on our team teaching our Make, Believe and Beyond classes! Contact Michaela
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors volunteer their 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!
Thank you for your leadership, time, and dedication to BackStory Theatre!
Misae Ueha Vela Brol
President
Matt Sturtz
Vice-President
Samantha Del Rosi
Secretary
Katie Svoboda-Rini
Director
Former Directors
We stand on the shoulders of the amazing leaders who came before us!
Former Executive Director Mary Wilkie (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)