A few of the tenets of new downtown Tacoma theater company, Gold From Straw, are intimacy, hope, education and risk taking. Artistic Director and founder Aaron J. Schmookler definitely believes in living by these, particularly in taking risks, as he is starting a theater company now when most others would advise against it. But Schmookler saw a need in Tacoma, and found the means to fill it. The result is his new theater company, nestled in the newly revitalized MECCA building on Broadway.

“The theater I want to see wasn’t happening here currently, and I’m not alone in that,” Schmookler said. “People leave in droves to go to Seattle. That’s not to speak against us, Tacoma’s theater is great, but it’s not all there is…Most people don’t think of Tacoma as a place to see theater.”

After graduating from Amherst with his MFA in directing, Schmookler took on any job that he could and was waiting tables prior to getting Gold From Straw up and running.

“I have a background in theater and have been putting on shows in houses and garages since high school. This has been a goal for some time.”

He also noted he’s picked up on art that has the tendency to veer in one of two directions: dark or dismal. Schmookler’s okay with dark, but not dismal, which he feels is synonymous with hopeless.

“We are what we eat. If we eat cynicism it’s because we’re cynical. If we consume people struggling with difficulty but also see people maintain hope and small victories, we’re more hopeful and inclined to passion. Happy endings aren’t always necessary,” which is his nod to his first production, “Doubt: A Parable,” a four-person play about a nun who suspects her parish priest of pedophilia.

But Schmookler himself is hopeful and feels - that with the talent he has supporting him at Gold From Straw - all he needs is an equally supportive community in return. “Doubt” has been receiving glowing reviews thus far, and people who he’s spoken to and has received e-mails from are elated about his endeavor. “I intend to make this company something Tacoma can’t live without,” he said.

The next production on deck for Gold From Straw is a departure from “Doubt.” “Almost, Maine,” John Cariani’s light-hearted piece is sweet, sentimental and funny, without being saccharine-laden. “It’s a crowd-pleaser without being heavy-handed,” Schmookler said.

While the beautiful, open 115-person capacity space  in the MECCA building is currently temporary for Gold From Straw, Schmookler would love it to be a permanent home, if ticket sales allow it. Plans for fundraisers and another donation campaign to kick off in the near future will help make that a reality, as thus far, Gold From Straw has mostly come about as a result of some donations and Schmookler’s credit cards.

An impressive element of “Doubt” and representative of Gold From Straw’s goals is the fact that the play is composed of nearly all Tacoma actors - no small feat for any artistic endeavor in Tacoma and making it something that will truly benefit residents. Currently the actors are being paid a small stipend, but he would like to ideally pay them more in the long run. Schmookler is realistic about his work ahead, but also enthusiastic about his theater company changing Tacoma’s scene and sticking around a while.

“I have no delusions about the uphill battle to maintain this thing, but I think Tacoma is ripe for it, and as long as we maintain our passion and drive, we will gather a momentum that will carry us beyond the hardship of the current state of the economy…I love Tacoma, and part of seeing all this effort through is to make a thriving community.”

‘Doubt’ runs through this Sunday at Gold From Straw Theater Company, which is located at 755 Broadway in the Mecca Building. Tickets are $25 general admission, and $22 for seniors, students and military. For more information about Gold From Straw or to purchase tickets, call (253) 301-8004, visit www.goldfromstraw.org or www.brownpapertickets.com for tickets.