Born and raised in small town Harlan, Iowa. Began doing theatre as young as 4th grade and later got a BA degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (also majoring in English with minors in Religion and Philosophy). He received an MFA in Acting from the University of Central Florida. From 2003 - 2009 he worked professionally as an actor in Orlando, Florida. Since 2009 Knoell has lived in Chicago, Illinois, working and teaching and generally practicing theatrical storytelling. In 2012 he graduated from the Second City Directing Program. He is part of the writing team behind the webcomic, Just 'Chute Me.