Priscilla's passion for theater began when she attended her first stage production at her high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her deeper involvement in the performing arts started when Ruth Tensing Debevoice, then a marketing manager for the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC), formed a small theater group at Priscilla's local church. With an MBA and extensive theater experience, Ruth taught acting techniques as well as the many aspects of theatrical production. Her guidance inspired Priscilla and fellow participants, and by 1983 the group had begun producing plays of their own. Over the next five years, under Ruth's mentorship, members gained an education in theater comparable to a foundational degree in the field. When Ruth retired, Priscilla and several members of the group chose to continue their theatrical journey by creating a community dinner theater. Their efforts led to the founding of Catalina Players, which served the community until 2009. Throughout her career, Priscilla has remained a dedicated advocate for the arts. She has served on the boards of the Arizona Theatre Company, Life Theatre Workshop, Tucson Desert Song Festival, and the University of Arizona Theatre Board. Since 2021, she has also been involved with Act One and is currently active with the Arizona Opera Guild of Tucson.
Norie is a retired Human Resources executive who spent over 30 years in the defense industry in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona. In retirement she has incorporated her organizational and leadership skills in a variety of positions in the public and private sector as follows: Chair, Workforce Investment Board, Pima County. President, Hidden Valley Homeowners Association, Vice President, Tucson Residents Foundation, Pima County Transportation Advisory Board, Co-facilitator Grief Support Group, St Pius X, Secretary, Parish Council St Pius X Catholic Church. Norie was elected to a second term to Arts Express Board of Directors where she has been delighted to support this dynamic organization bringing the best of musical theatre to the Tucson community.
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Cindy Johnson recently retired after a distinguished 40-year career as a financial and operational executive in the aerospace, mining, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. For the final 26 years of her career, she served as Chief Resource Officer for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). A Certified Public Accountant, Certified Managerial Accountant, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Cindy is widely recognized for her financial expertise, integrity, and collaborative leadership style. Her appreciation for music began early in life through piano lessons and continued with years of performing for churches and community organizations. She later expanded her musical interests by learning the clarinet and participating in concert and marching bands. Cindy credits music with teaching valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, confidence, and creativity, and she enjoys reconnecting with those passions through Arts Express Theatre.
Regina Wills is a multi-talented performer and leader with a rich background in theater, music, and public service. She attended the University of Arizona, majoring in Theater Administration, and has performed with many companies including Arts Express Theater, The Invisible Theatre, and The Community Players. Ms. Wills's stage credits include Ragtime, The Wizard of Oz, No Admittance, and Let Freedom Sing. A member of the Desert Divas since 2006, she released her debut single in 2016 and a full album in 2017. Regina also served over 30 years with the State of Arizona. Fun fact: she enjoys genealogy research.
Born and raised in Southern California, Nancy graduated from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare. She worked in that field before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment, working as a production coordinator on several MTM shows including Lou Grant, White Shadow, and Hill Street Blues, as well as in public relations for The Music Center. Now retired after 24 years at Raytheon—where she progressed from estimator to finance to Japan Country Manager—Nancy is actively involved in Tucson Cancer Conquerors, holding various leadership roles over the past two decades. As team captain of "John & Karen's Bridge Builders," a volunteer team supporting the American Cancer Society's annual Climb Up "A" Mountain, Nancy helped raise $100,000, frequently earning the Top Team fundraising spot.
Scott is honored to have joined the AET Board in 2024, bringing career experience in local TV and as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. After earning two degrees at UA, he rose to General Manager at KGUN9, and then on to stations in Colorado Springs and Palm Springs. Drawn back to Tucson, he became Director of Television Network Development for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and more recently spent two years as Associate Director of Development with Arizona Public Media. Scott has also served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Broadcasters Association, the National Broadcasters Association, the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Tucson, and Arizona Alumni Wildcats for Life Leadership Council.
Chris developed a passion for music and the arts in grade school, playing flute from age 8 and performing in USC's first band to allow women. She now plays in the University of Arizona's New Horizons band. Her 31-year career with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) began as an occupational therapist and progressed to Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services. She led the merger of CARF with the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission and represented the organization internationally, presenting over 700 times worldwide. During her tenure, CARF expanded from two countries to 28, and she received numerous honors including Fellow status with the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and a seat on the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation Committee. Since retiring in 2021, Chris volunteers at Tucson Medical Center, works at Spirit of Santa Fe, and remains active in New Horizons band. She enjoys art projects, especially mosaics, and is a devoted dog mom to Katy, a rescue husky-shepherd mix. She and her partner are season ticket holders at Arts Express.
“Here in Tucson since 1980, and recently retired after 45 years in Medical Private Practice ( Internal Medicine and Clinical Lipidology ). In 2026, elected to the AET Board of Directors and also started Volunteer work for AET. Other volunteer work includes frequent sessions at both Humane Society of Southern AZ and Pima Animal Care Center. P. S. I have absolutely no theatrical talent whatsoever! “
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Matt and Randi Gentry are longtime Tucson broadcasters and passionate advocates for the performing arts. Through their careers in local media and community engagement, they have helped promote organizations and events that enrich Southern Arizona. As members of the Arts Express Theatre Board of Directors, they support the organization's mission to provide accessible, high-quality performing arts experiences while fostering creativity, education, and artistic opportunity. Matt and Randi are committed to strengthening community connections through the power of live theater and arts education.
A graduate of the University of Arizona, David Cavanagh has spent more than 50 years serving the Tucson community through communications, business leadership, and public affairs. His career included roles in journalism, broadcasting, and business communications, including serving as Vice President of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. David later became the first executive of the Arizona Builders' Alliance, where the organization earned three National Chapter of the Year awards, and subsequently served as Regional Director of Government Affairs for Freeport-McMoRan. A dedicated community volunteer, he currently serves as Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Arizona Emeritus Committee and remains active in numerous civic and nonprofit initiatives.
Lendre Kearns has spent more than 45 years in arts management, marketing, and nonprofit leadership. Her career includes work with Broadway in Tucson, La Jolla Playhouse, Minnesota Dance Theatre, The Guthrie Theatre, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She has facilitated workshops and strategic planning sessions throughout the United States, Canada, England, and Australia and has taught at Goucher College, the University of Toronto, and Thunder Bay Community College. Today, Lendre continues to support the arts through volunteer leadership and board service, including her work with Arts Express Theatre and True Concord Voices & Orchestra. Outside of her volunteer efforts, she enjoys playing bridge and listening to audiobooks.
After a 30-year career in the defense industry, Susan retired from Raytheon as a Director of Finance. She holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA. A lifelong supporter of the performing arts, Susan has performed in numerous Arts Express Theatre productions, including The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, Carousel, Oliver!, Titanic, Beauty and the Beast, Evita, and Miracle on 34th Street. She has also sung with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Arizona Repertory Singers, St. Philip's in the Hills Canterbury Choir, and the Helios Ensemble. Susan serves on the Board of the Stanford Club of Southern Arizona. During the summer, she enjoys spending time off the grid at her family's mountain cabin in California.