Staff

Seema Sueko

(Co-Founder & Executive Artistic Director)
Directing credits include: Since Africa at The Old Globe and Mo`olelo (Patté Award Outstanding Ensemble); Kita y Fernanda (co-directed with Robert Castro), How I Got That Story, 26 Miles, Yellow Face, Good Boys, Permanent Collection, and The Adoption Project: Triad at Mo`olelo.
Acting credits include: The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow at Yale Rep and The Old Globe (Patté Award and Craig Noel Award for acting); A Christmas Carol at San Diego Rep; and A Chorus Line at Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theatre among others. She is a three-time recipient of the Chicago’s Jeff Award for her performances. Complete acting credits available upon request.
Playwriting credits include: Centerstage’s My America project, remains (McDonald Playwriting Award); commission from Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis to co-write Messy Utopia (Ivey Award) and Hijab Tube, a play for young audiences on the theme of Islam in America.

Seema developed Mo`olelo’s greening initiative, consensus organizing methodologies, and led the Company through its selection as the Inaugural Resident Theatre Company at La Jolla Playhouse for the 2008-2009 season. She served as Artist in Residence at University  of California San Diego’s Thurgood Marshall College for 2008-2009 and taught Theatre & Society at University of San Diego in 2009. She holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago, is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, and was recognized with the 2010 Des McAnuff New Visions Award from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. Named for the former Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse, the honor recognizes inspired and risk-taking artistic vision. Seema received the 2012 Consensus Organizer of the Year Award and the 2012 NAACP San Diego Branch Lorraine V. Hansberry Performing Arts Award. American Theatre Magazine also recognized Seema as one of 25 artists from across the country who are “richly accomplished folks…All have demonstrated something special in their approach to the art and craft of theatremaking that convinced us they have not only vision and foresight about the field they’ve chosen, but the tenacity and commitment it will take to realize their aspirations over time. Our artistic future, we figure, belongs to people like these.” (April 2009, http://www.tcg.org/publications/at/apr09/at25.cfm). You may find a list of Mo`olelo’s awards and accomplishments under Seema’s leadership here: http://moolelo.net/about-us/awards/. Seema is a recipient of Theatre Communication Group’s inaugural Leadership U[niversity] grant and is on a working sabbatical at Arena Stage in Washington, DC.

Samantha Howell

(Administrative Coordinator)
Samantha was born and raised in Southern California and holds a BA in Mathematics from Azusa Pacific University (APU). While serving as the Asian Pacific American Student Organization’s (APASO) President, she coordinated the first Asian Pacific Islander cultural event at the University; which has since become an annual event. She also partnered with other ethnic organizations, Student Government, and various departments to promote a higher awareness and understanding for diversity and social justice. She recently sat on a panel that presented at the Christians for Diversity in the Academy Conference in March 2013.

Samantha has also been committed to serving the communities she has lived in; volunteering with organizations such as the YWCA, Stepping Stones for Women, Urban Promise, Habitat for Humanity and others.

Kim Palma Richmond

(Co-Founder)
Kim is from Honolulu, Hawaii and holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from Wesleyan University. She toured with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company as Lighting Supervisor from 1995 – 1998, and taught lighting design at the Orange County High School of the Arts from 2000 – 2004. Her designs include works for Keith Johnson/Dancers, Oni Dance, Southern California Dance Theater, Winifred Harris/Between Lines, and Theater Education Group.

Additionally, she designed Angels in America, The Food Chain, and Inspecting Carol for AXIS Theatre in Baltimore. For Mo`olelo, she served as Lighting Designer for remains, A Piece of My Heart, Since Africa and The Adoption Project: Triad. No longer active with Mo`olelo, Kim currently works as a teacher in Honolulu.