Webb Center Announces New CEO

Recently the Webb Center’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Andy Halseth as the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the organization. Currently serving as the theatre’s Director of Operations, Halseth will transition to Executive Director in the interim and then assume the role of CEO in July 2024.

The Webb Center conducted an extensive nationwide search with the assistance of Los Angeles-based search firm Arts Consulting Group. Over 60 applicants submitted letters of interest, resumes, and personality sketches among other requirements. Of those, 14 were interviewed and the top candidates were reduced to 9. The Board of Directors conducted Zoom interviews and selected 3 for site visits.

“After meeting the 3 finalists in person, the search committee decided that none of them were the right fit for our organization,” stated Committee Chair and Board President Jerry Riggins. “So we went back to ACG to review new applications that had been submitted.”

Among those new applicants was the Director of Operations since January 2024, Andy Halseth. After participating in the same rigorous interview process, Halseth was approved by unanimous vote. “Andy ended up being our person. [He] has the verve of the organization. He handles himself around artists and staff that is next level. He is the only [candidate] that we felt comfortably understood the heart and soul to lead Camp Imagination,” described Riggins.

Moving to Wickenburg from the Los Angeles area in the summer of 2022, Halseth has an extensive background in the film industry including computer-generated imagery (CGI) and visual effects (VFX). Through his professional experiences, Halseth gained key project management, budgeting, communication, motivation, negotiation, and delegation skills while building innovative solutions and promoting industry-standard best practices.

Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2004, Halseth is excited to get back to his first love – music. Being involved with the performing arts from an early age, Halseth has played the trumpet, French horn, Sousaphone and guitar in various bands, orchestras and ensembles.

After college, he served as the Theater and Events Coordinator for the Apple Store in Santa Monica where he helped produce live events. In this position, he was responsible for everything from client relations to setting up sound equipment and running the mixing console. From there Halseth transitioned to film production for the last 18 years, most recently overseeing the technical infrastructure for the Virtual Art Department on Disney’s “The Mandalorian.”   

Reflecting on her tenure, Weiss is assured that the current Webb Center staff and the new CEO will continue to evolve the theatre’s programming to remain relevant and vital to the community it serves. “I plan to be available to help answer questions and provide higher level training for Andy as he takes over the leadership role. I am very confident that he is the right person to pilot the organization into the future.” Weiss insists, “The Webb Center has been a community effort from the start and will continue to thrive long after my departure.” Halseth lives with his wife Jessica and their 6-month-old daughter Marigold. “Wickenburg is the first community I’ve been a part of where I believe I can contribute in a meaningful way. I’m eager to serve this community by building upon the legacy that Cathy Weiss has established,” he shared. “I’m excited to have my daughter grow up surrounded by the performing arts and everything it offers.”