Theater Made Me Who I Am: Tim Chappell on Directing & Reconnecting

Steph Lokelani reconnects with Tim Chappell, who she walked with at their high school graduation ceremony and who was the drama club VP while Steph was the President, for their first real conversation since graduating from Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington, back in 1998. Tim is now a risk analyst at Mayo Clinic and has spent 13 years directing high school theater in Minnesota.

Tim shares how a girl recruiting help for M*A*S*H pulled him into theater, why he swapped criminal justice for a theater degree at WSU, and how theater gave him the confidence and people skills behind every job since. He talks about directing School of Rock with students playing live, a closing-night Bye Bye Birdie kiss that turned into an engagement, and getting to christen Byron High School's brand-new auditorium.

The two swap Decatur High School memories, including the day they skipped school and Steph got paged at the mall, only to learn her grandma was being held hostage in the next town. Plus a backstage sprinkler-valve mishap and their beloved teacher Mr. Hendrickson. Tim also explains Bearded Villains, a worldwide nonprofit giving back through community service, and takes us onto the frozen lakes of Minnesota for ice fishing, craft beer, mead, and his answer to who he is at his core.

ABOUT TIM CHAPPELL

Originally from Federal Way, Washington, Tim Chappell graduated from Washington State University in 2004 with a degree in Theatre Arts and Drama. During his time at WSU, Tim was involved with WSU Police and Fire and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. It was also during college that he met his wife, Aleisha. The two married in 2004 and began their life together in Federal Way, where Tim worked as an Assistant Manager at FedEx Kinko’s.

In 2006, Tim and Aleisha relocated to Austin, Texas, before making another move in 2007 to Rochester, Minnesota. Tim continued his career with FedEx Kinko’s as a Center Manager before eventually transitioning to Mayo Clinic, where he has worked for the past 15 years as a Risk Analyst. In 2009, Tim and Aleisha welcomed their daughter, Abileen, into the world.

Tim has spent the past 13 years coaching and directing high school theatre throughout the area, combining his professional experience with his lifelong passion for the performing arts. He is currently directing Clue at Byron High School, with performances opening next weekend. He is already looking ahead to the spring musical, The Little Mermaid.

Outside of work and theatre, Tim is a proud member of the worldwide nonprofit organization Bearded Villains, which promotes goodwill and community service. When he can find a little free time, he enjoys watching Abileen compete in dance and cheerleading, open-water and ice fishing, and visiting local breweries. He is also an unapologetic, flag-waving nerd when it comes to comics, movies, and all things geek culture.

Looking ahead, Tim is excited for The Little Mermaid this spring and, of course, another Minnesota ice fishing season. He is also preparing for one of life’s biggest milestones: watching Abileen graduate from high school and head off to college. It’s an exciting chapter for their family, even if it comes with a few mixed emotions!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- Theater builds lifelong skills: confidence, public speaking, and comfort in the gray area.

- Young people deserve their own path, not a copy of their parents'.

- Challenge yourself to try new shows instead of defaulting to what's easy.

- Preserving memories, like signed show fliers, honors everyone who was part of it.

- Kindness can be a community: "It's villainous to be nice nowadays."

- Who we become is a recipe made from the people we surround ourselves with.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Welcome + reconnecting after high school

0:32 Meet Tim Chappell

4:17 Abileen and the college search

8:49 Federal Way roots + middle school

10:02 Meeting in Decatur Drama Club

13:05 From criminal justice to theater

15:24 Why high school theater

18:18 Favorite shows: School of Rock + Once Upon a Mattress

19:05 A Bye Bye Birdie kiss turned engagement

22:41 Byron's new auditorium

23:57 Drama club president + VP

25:18 Skipping school + a hostage situation

27:31 The sprinkler alarm mishap

29:23 The signed staircase + preserving memories

33:43 Bearded Villains

40:40 Minnesota State Fair + favorite beers

48:34 Police, fire + finding a real job

50:52 Austin, Texas to Minnesota

53:57 From semi driver to Mayo Clinic

55:35 Minnesota weather + ice fishing

1:04:29 Closing question

1:07:15 Wrap-up