Golden Crescendo
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Celebrates 50 Years of Cultural Excellence
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Scottsdale Arts
When Roger Miller took the stage on Oct. 23, 1975, for the inaugural performance at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, few could have predicted the cultural dynasty that would unfold over the next five decades. The choice of Miller — country music’s “wild child” who defied easy categorization — proved prophetic for a venue that would consistently champion artistic innovation and boundary-pushing performances.
“When the center opened, the city of Scottsdale was only 24 years old, having incorporated in 1951,” reflects Gerd Wuestemann, CEO of Scottsdale Arts since 2018. “That’s a pretty extraordinary step for any city, and I think it reflects that Scottsdale has always seen itself as a place where creativity flourishes and is supported.”
The center’s origins were as innovative as they were accidental. Built underground due to Scottsdale’s height restrictions, the venue’s unique design created what Wuestemann describes as “an amazing-sounding, very special room.”
“The entire hall is built underground,” he explains. “I always assumed this was a cutting-edge acoustic choice, creating the best possible sound environment with complete isolation and a perfectly quiet background. Actually, it was done because Scottsdale’s height restrictions were so severe at the time that we couldn’t build much taller. So by virtue of serendipity, planning and ambition, all these pieces came together perfectly.”
The center’s programming philosophy has undergone significant transformation since becoming primarily “snowbird-centric” in the 1990s and early 2000s, a shift from its innovative early years. Under Wuestemann’s leadership, the organization has expanded from three business units to seven, encompassing everything from the Museum of Contemporary Art to Canal Convergence.
“Since 2018, we’ve grown tremendously,” Wuestemann notes. “We were fortunate to pass part of the city’s GEO bond in 2019, which included renovating Scottsdale Civic Center. We pushed an initiative to build outdoor stages as part of that project, and we were able to build those stages coming out of the pandemic.”
These outdoor venues have revolutionized the center’s community engagement.
“From October through April or May, there’s no better place in the country to be outside enjoying a casual experience,” Wuestemann explains. “You don’t have to dress up, sit formally, or behave a certain way. You can be yourself, bring your kids, and just enjoy being outside.”
The 50th anniversary season exemplifies this evolved programming approach, balancing reverence for the past with bold artistic risks. The Phoenix Chorale returns to perform, echoing its 1976 appearance when it was known as the Bach & Madrigal Society. A special exhibition will showcase artwork by 1970s Scottsdale luminaries including Fritz Scholder, Ed Mell and Dorothy Fratt.
Abbey Messmer, director of programming, has been instrumental in shaping the center’s curatorial vision during her tenure with Scottsdale Arts, which spans more than two decades. Her deep understanding of the center’s mission extends beyond the stage. In 2005, early in her career working in artist services, Messmer coordinated a visit by Lily Tomlin to a local elementary school the morning before her performance.
“She read to the children and chatted with everyone,” Messmer recalls. “She completely lit up the room — it was such a delightful experience. To me, that moment really captured our mission around the arts. It’s not just about what’s happening on stage — it’s about creating those meaningful connections and learning experiences in the community.”
This philosophy of community connection now informs how Messmer approaches the center’s milestone season programming.
“The heart of the season is looking back — honoring where we’ve been — while also boldly looking ahead,” Messmer explains. “We’re celebrating the incredible artists who’ve shaped our stages over the decades by bringing some of those people back, and then introducing new voices that point to the future of the arts.”
The anniversary celebration launches with Alison Krauss and Union Station, chosen specifically to create what Wuestemann calls “this amazing 50-year arc” connecting back to Roger Miller.
“We searched for an artist who could celebrate this amazing theater and its legendary acoustics — someone very much of today and the future but who could also connect back to our beginnings,” he says.
Perhaps no artist embodies the center’s enduring relationships better than pianist Jeffrey Siegel, who enters his 47th season performing at the venue — nearly the entire lifespan of the building. His “Keyboard Conversations” series has become a beloved institution, combining classical performance with accessible commentary that bridges the gap between newcomers and seasoned classical music enthusiasts.
Siegel’s remarkable tenure represents more than longevity; it exemplifies the center’s commitment to fostering deep, sustained artistic partnerships that enrich the community year after year. This season alone features four new installments of his series, exploring everything from Beethoven’s youthful genius to Chopin’s Romanticism.
The anniversary programming spans genres from Broadway star Lea Salonga to jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater, from comedian Rita Rudner to contemporary dance companies. This diversity reflects the center’s commitment to serving an increasingly broad audience.
“Our main goal was to broaden our audience and open doors for new people to come to us, so there’s a future for the building,” Wuestemann explains. “We’ve tried to continue offering the great work we’ve been known for — strong Broadway performers, first-rate classical music, quality jazz — but also open new doors by bringing in R&B and soul artists, and quality rock ‘n’ roll shows.”
The center’s commissioning tradition continues with Jacob Jonas The Company creating new work, while the “Homegrown” Arizona choreographer showcase nurtures local talent — embodying Messmer’s vision for the future.
“My hope is that the center continues to be a place where everyone feels welcome,” she says. “People want to come experience incredible, imaginative artists while making memories with their families and friends.”
Looking ahead, the center will break ground on two new theaters in April 2026, marking the end of the 50th anniversary season with a literal foundation for the future. One will be a flexible black box theater; the other, a 250-300 seat venue focused on intimate musical experiences.
As Wuestemann reflects on this milestone, he sees the anniversary not as an endpoint but as a launching pad: “Fifty years is amazing for any organization, but 50 years in a city that didn’t even exist until 1951 is especially remarkable. Looking back helps us understand our future.”
From Roger Miller’s pioneering performance to Alison Krauss’ upcoming celebration, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has proven that great art transcends time — continuously evolving while honoring the creative spirit that built this desert cultural oasis.
