Where Are They Now? Alison Tafel 65451e

Alison Tafel graduated from Longmont High School in 2005 and has since made a name for herself in what Tafel likes to call "the showbiz." Working up the ranks of Hollywood's talented writers, Tafel has been a vital piece within a myriad of popular television shows that most likely appear on the screens of many Colorado residents.

Niwot friends.

Dalby remains a member of the St. Vrain Valley School District as the Dean of Students at Alpine Elementary, and Bell now resides in Massachusetts. Regardless of the distance, the three have remained close friends.

Tafel discovered her real ion for comedy during college at Arizona State University. Following her graduation in 2009, earning a degree in theater, Tafel moved to Chicago.

There, she took classes at iO Theater), a theater that both teaches and hosts performances of improvisational comedy, with notable alumni such as Amy Poehler and Stephen Colbert.

It was there that Tafel discovered her ion not only for performing, but also for writing. With newfound confidence from all that she learned in Chicago, Tafel took the big leap and moved to the television and film capital, Hollywood, in 2012.

Tafel emphasized how difficult that change was. During the days, she worked as a CBS page and a production assistant on various television shows, and spent evenings performing at iOWest and Second City Hollywood.

In 2016, Tafel applied to the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop Fellowship, and out of 1100 applications, Tafel was one of six writers to be accepted. During this workshop, she spent a week in New York learning about late-night comedy writing at 30 Rock.

Not long after her time spent in New York, Tafel experienced her "big break" following her submission to write for Netflix's "BoJack Horseman." The adult tragicomedy follows a humanoid horse who formerly starred in a hit television show but ultimately ended up at rock bottom.

She wrote for the show from 2017-2020. Tafel spoke highly of the experience. "I worked for three seasons on that show, and it was a total dream," she said. "Best professional experience of my life so far."

Following the show's conclusion, Tafel landed her next job in January 2020 as a writer on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," proving to be a full circle moment for her, ending up back where she started at 30 Rock.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting shortly after she began with "The Tonight Show," Tafel adapted and Zoom-called her coworkers from Los Angeles to continue her work.

Today, Tafel is the co-producer on the action-comedy series "Twisted Metal" on Peacock, based on the video game franchise of the same name.

"This show was another dream come true because TM2 was the one video game I played with my childhood best friend growing up. Who doesn't love homing napalms?," Tafel said, referencing a power-up in the game.

Between her high profile work, Tafel focuses vigorously on her own personal writing and TV ideas as well as performing improv locally. Tafel reflected, "This business is hard, and it's a constant back and forth of work, making new work, and looking for work, but I feel fortunate I have been able to do as much as I have so far, and not slowing down."

Tafel attributes a large part of her success to her upbringing in Longmont. From performing at The Longmont Theater Company and Jesters Dinner Theater after school to spending summers at Sunset Pool, she feels that her hometown provided a platform to nurture her creativity.

Tafel said, "I can't deny the fortune I had during my formative life. I honestly had very few worries, which meant I had the open headspace to be creative. Not many people get that when they are young, and I did. And I will never take that massive privilege for granted. Make no mistake, I worked hard, but I also had privilege."

Today, Tafel works and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Zach Bruning, another Longmont native who graduated from LHS in 2003, and their two cats, Typo and Story.

She maintains her connection to Longmont along with her two brothers, Brian and Mike, because their parents, Mary and Greg Tafel, continue to live in the Longmont area.

Not only does she maintain connections to Longmont, but she has had close ties with Niwot since her high school years.

Tafel said, "Despite the distance, I am happy to still be close to my fam. They have spent many phone calls with me answering the question, 'What shows are you watching?'"

After having a very successful first season, Season two of "Twisted Metal" will be released on July 31, 2025, featuring Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz.