Priscilla's passion for theater began after attending her first stage production in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her involvement in the performing arts deepened when she joined a church theater group led by Ruth Tensing Debevoice, whose mentorship provided extensive training in acting and theatrical production. In 1983, the group began producing plays and, over several years, developed a strong foundation in community theater. Following Ruth's retirement, Priscilla and fellow members established Catalina Players, a community dinner theater that served Tucson audiences until 2009. Throughout her career, Priscilla has remained an active arts advocate, serving on the boards of Arizona Theatre Company, Life Theatre Workshop, Tucson Desert Song Festival, and the University of Arizona Theatre Board. She is currently involved with Act One and the Arizona Opera Guild of Tucson.
Noreen Nelson is a retired Human Resources executive whose career spanned more than 30 years in the defense industry across Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Since retiring, she has dedicated her leadership and organizational expertise to numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. Her volunteer service includes leadership roles with the Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Hidden Valley Homeowners Association, Tucson Residents Foundation, Pima County Transportation Advisory Board, St. Pius X Catholic Church, and a local grief support ministry. Noreen is serving her second term on the Arts Express Theatre Board of Directors and is passionate about supporting the organization's mission of bringing high-quality musical theater and arts programming to the Tucson community. She values the opportunity to help strengthen and expand the arts throughout Southern Arizona.
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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 performer, recording artist, and community leader with a lifelong commitment to the performing arts. She studied Theater Administration at the University of Arizona and has appeared in productions with Arts Express Theatre, The Invisible Theatre, and The Community Players. Her stage credits include Ragtime, The Wizard of Oz, No Admittance, and Let Freedom Sing. In addition to her theatrical work, Regina has been a member of the Desert Divas since 2006, releasing her debut single in 2016 and a full-length album in 2017. She also dedicated more than 30 years of service to the State of Arizona before retiring. Regina brings her artistic experience, leadership, and enthusiasm for community engagement to the Arts Express Theatre Board. In her free time, she enjoys genealogy research.
Nancy Vornholt was raised in Southern California and earned a degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. After working in social services, she pursued a career in entertainment, serving as a production coordinator on television productions including Lou Grant, The White Shadow, and Hill Street Blues, as well as working in public relations for The Music Center in Los Angeles. Nancy later spent 24 years at Raytheon, where she advanced from estimator to finance leadership and ultimately served as Japan Country Manager. In retirement, she remains deeply involved in community service through Tucson Cancer Conquerors and the American Cancer Society. As captain of the volunteer fundraising team "John & Karen's Bridge Builders," she has helped raise significant support for cancer-related causes throughout Southern Arizona.
Scott Vaughan joined the Arts Express Theatre Board in 2024, bringing extensive experience in broadcasting, media management, development, and financial services. A two-time University of Arizona graduate, Scott began his career in television, eventually serving as General Manager of KGUN9 before leading stations in Colorado Springs and Palm Springs. After returning to Tucson, he served as Director of Television Network Development for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and later as Associate Director of Development for Arizona Public Media. Throughout his career, Scott has been actively involved in community leadership, serving on the boards of the Arizona Broadcasters Association, National Broadcasters Association, Tucson Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Tucson, and Arizona Alumni Wildcats for Life Leadership Council. He is committed to supporting the arts and strengthening community engagement.
Christine developed a passion for music and the arts at an early age and continues to perform with 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 culminated in her role as Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services. She expanded CARF's international reach from two countries to 28 and represented the organization around the world. Since retiring in 2021, Christine has remained active through volunteer work, music, and community service.
Rob Lending has called Tucson home since 1980 and recently retired after a 45-year career in private medical practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Clinical Lipidology. He joined the Arts Express Theatre Board of Directors in 2026 and immediately became involved as a volunteer supporting the organization. Rob is also active with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Pima Animal Care Center, where he donates his time to animal welfare efforts. While he jokingly claims to have no theatrical talent, he is proud to contribute to the success of Arts Express and its mission.
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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.