A small act of theft has triggered a major crisis for one of Seattle’s beloved community theaters.
Taproot Theatre, located in the Greenwood neighborhood, is scrambling to recover after vandals tore apart two of its three rooftop air-conditioning units, stripping them for a small amount of copper—likely worth less than $100. The damage left behind, however, is anything but minor.
“It’s probably less than $100 worth of copper wiring,” said Karen Lund, Taproot Theatre’s artistic director, in an interview on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI. “But the long-term effects for us—it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.”
A Hidden Problem Discovered Too Late
The theft went unnoticed at first. During performances of Ain’t Misbehavin’ earlier this spring, staff noticed the theater becoming unusually warm by the end of the shows. Initially, the issue seemed routine.
Technicians inspected thermostats, vents, and internal systems but found nothing wrong. It wasn’t until an employee checked the roof that the real problem came to light: two HVAC units had been dismantled and stripped of copper components.
By then, the damage had already been done.
A Temporary Fix—But a Looming Deadline
For now, Taproot is relying on a temporary workaround. The theater has rerouted its one remaining functioning AC unit and supplemented it with portable air conditioners.
That solution may hold through the spring. But summer presents a far greater challenge.
With all-day acting camps beginning in late June and the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening July 10, the building will need cooling for up to 16–18 hours a day—far beyond what a single unit can handle.
“We just don’t think it’s going to be able to sustain that,” Lund said.
A $400,000 Goal to Stay Open
Taproot Theatre now faces a critical deadline. The organization has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to raise $400,000 by June 1. The goal is not only to replace the damaged units, but to overhaul the theater’s nearly 30-year-old HVAC system with a modern, code-compliant installation.
“This moment has left us unexpectedly vulnerable,” Taproot said in a statement. “What was damaged cannot simply be replaced, and the consequences go far beyond the machinery itself.”
Insurance may not provide relief. As of late April, the theater was still awaiting an adjuster’s evaluation, and there is uncertainty about whether this type of vandalism and theft will be covered.
Impact Beyond the Stage
The stakes extend beyond Taproot’s walls.
The theater draws more than 1,000 people each week to the Greenwood neighborhood, supporting nearby restaurants, coffee shops, and retail businesses. Families attending camps or performances often spend hours in the area, contributing to the local economy.
“If we don’t have our stuff going, then the restaurants and the other businesses—they miss out as well,” Lund explained.
A Call for Community Support
Despite the setback, Taproot continues to operate—for now. But without a long-term solution in place before summer, its ability to host performances, camps, and educational programs is at risk.
The theater is asking for help through donations, connections, and community awareness.
“Many hands make light work,” Lund said. “Any little bit you can help us with, we would really appreciate.”
For a theater that has long served as both a cultural hub and a training ground for young performers, the hope is that the community it has supported for decades will now rally to support it in return.
To help the Taproot Theater, you can donate HERE.
