hero arts

As the longtime Executive and Artistic Director of Greasepaint, Watson’s joy is watching young children learn skills that will serve them for a lifetime and older kids become “incredibly aware of the power of arts” with their focus on telling stories that matter.

“I listen to the kids,” Watson says. “I think of myself as working there for them. They’re the reason we exist.”

Watson, who is Greasepaint’s only full-time employee, is proud of Greasepaint’s role in the local youth theater scene.

“We have an incredible amount of talent in this Valley,” Watson says. “It’s kind of mind numbing. I sometimes wonder if there is something in the water. I can’t think of a better place to grow up if you’re a theater kid.”

The number of Greasepaint alumni with recent career milestone moments speaks to its success. They include Casey Likes on Broadway in “Almost Famous;” Betty Weinberger, national tour choreographer for “SIX: The Musical;” Ethan Drew in “Camp Hideout,” and Asher Angel in the upcoming movie “Shazam!”. Watson’s daughter, Johnna, appeared in the November premier of Netflix’s “Wednesday.”

Watson came to Arizona after working in New York for a few years. Her first stint at Greasepaint was Artistic Director for a few years beginning in 2003. She has had her current role since 2010.

“I trained as an actor and I still get on stage, usually once a year. It’s what I love to do. But running Greasepaint, the thing is you never know what you’re going to be doing from day to day. The job is never boring. Never.”

Do you know an Arts Hero? Someone who works tirelessly to strengthen, improve and enhance the arts in our community?

Nominate him or her at onmediaaz.com