On the Road with Taproot Theatre

Each school year Taproot Theatre assembles a troupe of 5 actors known as the Road Company who travel to schools throughout the Pacific Northwest performing plays dealing with relevent social issues. We thought you'd like to know a little about the team.



Solomon Davis

"I am from Iowa, and got into acting after seeing a movie where the main character did an impersonation of the president. I thought it was soooo cool that i decided to try do an impression the president, and a bunch of other famous people too. So in fourth grade I began entertaining crowds with my voices."

Who is your favorite superhero and why?

"My favorite Superhero is Inspector Gadget (He's kind of a superhero
right?) because he tries really hard but spends most of the time making mistakes. I can totally relate to that."

What would you like to say to kids who are being bullied?

"If you are being bullied, I think you should find a friend or another kid that would be willing to help you report the behavior to a trusted adult."



Laura Bannister

"I was born in Vermont, and lived in New York City and Sweden when I was very young. But I spent most of my growing up years on a farm in Virginia. My parents have cattle, chickens, llamas, and a few goats, sheep, dogs, cats, other children, etc. I just graduated this May from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. I didn't plan to study theatre in college, but at the very beginning of my freshman year I auditioned for a play on a whim and was cast. Then I fell in love with theatre and just kept going. During my junior year in college I read about Taproot online and applied for an internship. I interned in the Acting Studio last summer, and returned this summer to intern with Karen Lund. That is how I ended up driving across the country in June to live here in Seattle."


Who's your favorite super hero and why?

"My mom. That should be be self-explanatory."

What would you like to say to kids who are being bullied?

"I would tell them that when I was in school, I was bullied too.
In middle and high school, other kids made fun of how I looked and how I dressed, and I also got bullied physically a few times in elementary school. I was extremely shy as a child and I didn't do anything to stop the bullying. I am eager to encourage kids who are being bullied to learn how to stand up for themselves and get help. I'm also really excited about helping kids learn friendship making skills."



Adrienne Littleton

"I'm a native Seattle girl. I grew up just north of Seattle in Lake Forest Park and started acting in plays at my church. I think the first little skit I did was in 3rd grade and I played a girl who was too wrapped up in designer jeans to notice the real meaning of Christmas. After that I kept acting and majored in Theatre at the University of Washington. "


Who is your favorite superhero and why?

"My favorite super hero would have to be Superman. I loved the Christopher Reeve movies when I was little. He was definitely the first super hero I was ever aware of and therefore, I think he's still my favorite. But if you think about it, Santa is kind of a super hero, so he's totally up there too... "


What would you like to say to kids who are being bullied?

"I would tell someone who's dealing with bullying that it's not ok and it isn't just a part of growing up. I know that it's one of those things that we see in every sit-com and in every movie that shows a school situation, but that doesn't mean it's something that should keep happening. I would tell someone that if they're being bulled to tell someone about it both at home and at school so that the problem can start to be fixed. It might not get better overnight, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to make it better."


Daniel Stoltenberg

"I was born in Mountainview, CA in 1984, and my family moved to Shoreline, WA when I was four years old. We stayed in that house for seventeen years, and my parents finally moved to the U District when I was in college. I went to school at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, where I majored in English and Theatre. At first I was planning on just doing theatre on the side, but I have a theory that people who pursue theatre do so because they have no other alternative - it's in their blood! I first got involved in acting when I was in fifth grade, thanks to a very inspirational teacher. I played two roles: the tree in Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," and the anger in "The Girl Who Sat on Her Anger." I didn't have any lines that I can remember, and I ended up getting sat on at the end of both plays. After this auspicious beginning, I continued doing as much theatre as possible through all of my school years, and I hope to be involved for the rest of my life."

What activities do you like to do in your free time?

"I like to do nerdy things with my friends from college (we have a house together now, and it seems like there's something geeky going on 24/7), read science fiction novels, play video/computer games, go out to movies, see live theatre, eat frozen dinners, write poetry, and take naps. "

Who's your favorite super hero and why?

Nightcrawler from the X-Men. Not only is teleportation the coolest power ever, but I think it's really cool that a comic book came out with a character with a strong faith - a faith he sticks to even though he is persecuted and misunderstood by those around him. I endeavor to live my faith the same way.

What would you like to say to kids who are being bullied?

Get your friends to help you out. Promise them that you'll stick up for them whenever they're in a similar situation, and ask them to take the plunge and stand up for you, too. Don't bully other people just to make yourself feel more powerful. Remember that there are many, many supportive people out there who will listen to you and get you the help you need.

Labels: actors, performers, theatre