CATHY WEISS

Lights, Camera, Action!

Cathy Weiss’ drama teacher at Camelback High School had her pegged from the start.

Weiss was good at acting, good enough to compete for a coveted lead role in a school production. But, much to her surprise, Weiss didn’t get the part. Instead, the drama teacher named Weiss student director and, again much to her surprise, it was a good call.

“She was darn right,” says Weiss, the Chief Executive Officer of the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts. “I was really good at it. I was a master at blocking and helping people learn how to memorize and all kinds of stuff.”

Weiss’ natural skills in managing and coaching have served her well throughout her professional life. After studying theater and business in college, she enjoyed a successful career in the luxury hospitality industry, helping hotels worldwide provide excellent service to customers.

When the allure of itinerant living in beautiful places gave way to a desire for roots in a community, Wickenburg was the spot. Weiss dug in.

In 1997, Weiss, then General Manager at Rancho de los Caballeros, and others felt what was missing in Wickenburg was a place for arts and culture. Webb Center, with its full schedule of performances and programs like Camp Imagination, a phenomenal summer program for school-age children, is now a community and economic development asset.

Weiss was a key leader in raising money to build, furnish and equip the Webb Center, was a founding board member and has been its director for 20 years.

“The Webb Center really isn’t about me,” Weiss said. “More than any story I’ve ever heard, it’s about a community that came together to build a performing arts center.”

Yes. But guess who sat in the director’s chair?

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