Meet Cynthia Meier | Theatre Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Meier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When Joe McGrath and I started The Rogue Theatre 18 years ago, we had been part-time actors in and around Tucson for many years. One day while we were waiting to go on stage for a play-reading, we turned to each other and said, Life is short. Why not do the great plays that we’ve always wanted to do and share them with the Tucson community? Let’s take the risk and start a theater company. Luckily, we were able to gather the talent and support we needed to begin.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve spent much of my life in education–teaching at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. I spent years in college administration, learning about budgets, hiring & firing, and how to support employees. But always, there’s been the drumbeat of theater art in my life. I worked my way through college building costumes in the Eastern Michigan University costume shop. I’ve acted in various companies for over 25 years. I’ve written performance pieces. Everything I’ve ever learned in my life came to bear on starting our own theater company. I’ve learned that you can do just about anything, if you have goodhearted, smart people working with you. Our art at The Rogue Theatre is dedicated to presenting high quality theater in an intimate setting to a community of theater-goers. Building community is essential.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to eat at all my favorite restaurants: Feast, La Chaiterria, El Charro Downtown, and Zayna’s Mediterranean. We would go for walks in Tohono Chul Park, Saguaro National Park, and The Desert Museum. I would take them to see the amazing art at Etherton Gallery and Philabaum Glass Gallery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Rogue Theatre has been gifted with an extraordinary number of supporters over the years: Norma Davenport, David & Norma Lewis, Marianne Leedy, Thomas Wentzel, Andy Watson, and many, many others. We also have had the incredible support of Shawn Burke, our landlord. And none of the success of The Rogue would be possible without my artistic partner, Joseph McGrath.

Website: www.TheRogueTheatre.org

Instagram: theroguetucson

Facebook: The Rogue Theatre

Youtube: The Rogue Theatre

Image Credits
All photos by Tim Fuller of The Rogue Theatre productions