Life & Work with Dylan Suehiro & Kyle Varble of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Suehiro & Kyle Varble.

Hi Dylan & Kyle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We met in November 2021 at the Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix. Dylan had just completed a Master’s in Conducting at ASU and was working Saturdays at a local bakery—a role he’d kept for stability while the post-COVID music and education landscape was still in flux. Kyle, recently pivoting to a digital nomad lifestyle, happened to stop by the market on his last day in town before flying home for the holidays. A spontaneous conversation led to a long-distance relationship, and by early 2022, Kyle had relocated to Phoenix. We got married in 2023.

Our connection to the Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona started in December 2022, when Stephen—who had founded the organization that summer—reached out with an open invitation to attend a casual musical read-through. He had done a bit of internet sleuthing and came across one of Dylan’s old conducting reels. We decided to give it a try, not quite knowing what to expect (and because the show happened to be one of Kyle’s all-time favorites).

What struck us most that night was the diversity of the room: people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, all there for the joy of making music. It felt like a pickup game, but for musical theatre: no rehearsal, no performance, just the adrenaline of sight-reading a score with people who genuinely wanted to be there. There was something ephemeral and electric about it; we all knew we’d only get one shot, and that made everyone more willing to take risks.

The transition from participants to leaders happened gradually. We officially joined the board as volunteers when it formed in June 2024: Kyle initially served as Treasurer, and Dylan joined the artistic committee before stepping into the Marketing Director role ahead of Ragtime (November 2024). Today, Kyle is Vice President and Operations Director, and Dylan serves as Conductor and Communications Director. Our first Showcase was Titanic in January 2023—Dylan played violin, and Kyle was the narrator. Since then, we’ve barely missed a production.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s certainly been meaningful.

This has been a crash course in flexibility, capacity, and knowing our limits. We’ve learned how to take initiative—and just as importantly, how to say no. MTAA’s growth has been fast and often chaotic. At times, it felt like we were building the plane while flying it: improvising roles, inventing systems on the fly, and constantly adjusting to keep pace with momentum we hadn’t fully anticipated.

From the start, working together at MTAA felt natural—but it came with real challenges. In September 2023, Dylan conducted his first full musical (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) while we were managing an emergency home remodel that left us living out of a rental. Meanwhile, Kyle applied his spreadsheet skills to organize a rapidly expanding participant database. We quickly realized passion alone wasn’t enough. Running a fast-growing organization without infrastructure demanded long hours, constant problem-solving, and a lot of unseen work behind the scenes—all while managing full-time jobs.

As MTAA expanded, we faced the growing pains that come with rapid momentum and fragile systems. Wearing too many hats, relying on tools that couldn’t keep up, and operating without clear roles led to burnout—not just for Stephen in the early years, but for all of us as the leadership team grew. Together with other dedicated board members, we’ve focused on defining responsibilities and building more sustainable processes. Figuring out our swim lanes has been essential to laying a foundation that can support continued growth.

We’ve accepted that we can’t do everything at once. This is long-term work, and we’re learning to approach it thoughtfully—building steadily, with intention, rather than rushing toward quick fixes.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
MTAA is Arizona’s home for live, orchestra-led musical theatre—a place where collaboration and connection take center stage. Since launching in August 2022, we’ve produced 24 musicals across two distinct formats:

Showcase: After just two rehearsals, performers bring full musicals to life in concert. These focused, low-commitment productions emphasize music and storytelling, making it possible for busy people to stay engaged with theatre, while celebrating the beautiful scores as they’re meant to be heard—with a live orchestra at the heart of the ensemble.

Underscore: A low-pressure, music-driven read-through experience where participants explore a musical together without an audience. It’s a chance to build music literacy, step away from screens, and connect with others through shared rehearsal—learning the story from the inside out while making real-life friendships along the way.

Our roles reflect our different strengths. Dylan’s musical background and attention to detail shape the artistic side—conducting, preparing scores, and ensuring rehearsals and performances run smoothly. Kyle leans into logistics and strategy, using his business and supply chain expertise to coordinate operations and keep everything running behind the scenes.

What motivates us is more than just putting on shows. MTAA is about making space for artists at every stage to develop and collaborate. We’re proud of the intergenerational, cross-disciplinary group we’ve brought together—from educators and students to emerging performers and seasoned musicians, including folks from ensembles like the North Valley Symphony Orchestra and Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus. We truly see MTAA as an Alliance—an inclusive network where everyone’s contribution strengthens the whole and helps each person grow. Our vibrant alumni community stays connected long after their performances, sharing casting calls and job opportunities, exchanging resources, and inviting each other to shows. This ongoing connection creates a supportive network that enriches both the artistic and social life of MTAA.

We’re committed to building an organization that values both artistic quality and accessibility. MTAA offers a space where people can make meaningful music together—without needing to give up everything else they’re balancing in their lives.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people know us through MTAA or other musical work, but they might not know how unexpectedly we got here. Kyle’s first role was Javert in a high school production of Les Misérables, a part he landed on a whim after years spent in marching band and on the swim team. Dylan’s first pit experience was subbing on trombone for a small community production of Kiss Me, Kate while still in high school. Neither of us came from a deep theatre background, but thanks to MTAA’s fast-paced format, we’ve now learned dozens of shows. Our outside perspective has also helped shape the organization’s rapid growth over the past year.

We also try to stay grounded outside the rehearsal room. Dylan still bakes regularly—sometimes for local bake sales, more often just for friends. Kyle’s an avid reader with a steady rotation of fiction and nonfiction. We both love our plants (indoor for Dylan, outdoor for Kyle) and enjoy spending time at the Desert Botanical Garden, whether volunteering, attending events, or wandering the trails. We’ve always loved hiking, but it has become one of our favorite ways to think things through; most of our scheming and strategizing happens while we’re on the move.

Over the past year, we’ve navigated significant behind-the-scenes growth that has fundamentally reshaped MTAA. We secured our official nonprofit status, restructured the board, and clarified operational roles—steps that were essential to support the pace of growth we’ve seen. Of course, none of it happened overnight. It took patience, collaboration, and a dedicated group of board and committee members who stepped up when it mattered most.

These efforts laid a stronger foundation and freed us to focus more on the mission itself. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and even more energized by what’s ahead: more impactful productions, deeper community connections, and a sustainable organization built to last.

Pricing:

• Showcase Tickets: $40 General Admission, $20 Educators/Students/Children
• Showcase Participation: $30/event

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theatricallyaz.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theatricallyaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatricallyaz