Conversations with Dena DiGiacinto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dena DiGiacinto.

Hi Dena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
Saguaro City Music Theatre began when Tucsonan, University of Arizona graduate and Broadway veteran Drew Humphrey, moved back to Tucson with fellow Broadway veteran and his wife, me! I am Dena DiGiacinto, Director of Outreach and Education for Saguaro City Music Theatre. Drew was moved to repay the investment that the Tucson theatre community had made in him years before. It was late September of 2021 when Drew reached out to our friend and colleague, Charlie Ingram, a Chicago-based professional actor turned attorney. The two spent hours discussing how we could use our unique experiences to complement the existing theatre scene in Tucson. Throughout their conversations, they kept returning to a common theme – artistic opportunity, which led to our mission: Using the art of musical theatre to promote diverse artistic opportunity and community involvement.

The educational branch of Saguaro City, Studio Arts, has already begun fulfilling this mission with the creation and development of four unique, inclusive, and tuition-free programs. Studio Arts offers a space that welcomes students of all abilities because no disability or ailment should bar those who would like to participate in the arts, nor should financial barriers.

One of Saguaro City’s proudest achievements is having the ability to provide these programs free of charge thanks to the generous support of the Tucson community. Being tuition-free allows for the opportunity to provide quality arts education to students who otherwise would not have been able to engage and gives anybody interested a chance to perform and grow in their craft.

Saguaro City has also presented three professional musical theatre productions over the past year, our musicals reflect the values on display in their educational programming, because our students deserve not only quality instruction but examples to aspire to. As a leadership trio, we are honored to bring more than 60 years of professional theatre experience to this community, and we are proud to create opportunities for Tucson actors and artists to share their gifts. Most of all, we are humbled by the impact and feedback we have received from the Tucson community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a nonprofit organization is very challenging, and there have definitely been some roadblocks along the way. Being a small leadership team made up of three people, we were all required to learn how to do so many different things in a very short time and to wear quite a lot of hats. From learning how to get families registered for classes, to how to run an online box office, to fundraising, to budgets, to casting, it has definitely felt like a crash course in all of it!

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My main focus as Director of Outreach and Education is to ensure that our four Studio Arts programs are funded, staffed, and fun!! I am also a choreographer and have choreographed three shows for Saguaro City Music Theatre, as well as at several regional theatre around the country. Prior to being a choreographer and educator, I was a professional musical theatre performer for 25 years, working on Broadway, national tours, overseas, and at regional theatres. I think I am most proud of having the great honor of inspiring the next generations of theatre artists and patrons. Musical theatre is vital to our community, and we have to invest in educating our youth in order for the art form to continue to grow and thrive in the future. I love working with, talking to, and learning from others, and connecting with my community on a deeper level is always a top priority.

What’s next?
Saguaro City Music Theatre is very excited about our upcoming production of Matilda The Musical which be live onstage at the Berger Performing Arts Center in Tucson, running from December 22nd-January 7th. The show includes a cast of professional adult actors, as well as an inclusive ensemble of incredibly talented children and teens. It is fun for the whole family, and you don’t want to miss it!

Contact Info:

• Website: saguarocity.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagcityaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagcityaz/

Image Credits
Sharron Lovemore
Taylor Noel Photography