TEMPE/TUCSON, Ariz. – (September 10, 2025) – Arizona Theatre Company (ATC), the official state theatre of Arizona, today announced the expansion of its board of trustees with three new members. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, founding director of Arizona State University’s The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, Tina Waddington, an international strategic consultant, and Arnold H. Murphy, controller at Holualoa Companies, have joined the nonprofit’s 17-member board and will serve three-year terms.
“We welcome the expertise, talents, ideas and inspiration of our new trustees,” said Pat Engels, chair of ATC's board of trustees. “The ongoing involvement of Arizona’s public and private sector leaders is essential to creating a bright future for Arizona Theatre Company, and more broadly, supports a thriving arts ecosystem which brings Arizonans together, creates joy for patrons and strengthens community connections across our state.”
Cheryl Boone Isaacs is the founding director of Arizona State University’s The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, where she leads from the Tempe Campus and downtown Mesa at the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center guiding the school in two states and three cities focused on representation and inclusion in film. A respected film marketing and publicity executive with decades of industry experience, Boone Isaacs also served as the first Black and third woman president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (2013–2017), where she spearheaded initiatives for diversity in Hollywood.
Boone Isaacs has consulted for companies such as MTV Films, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Sony Entertainment. She previously served as president of theatrical marketing for New Line Cinema and was executive vice president of worldwide publicity for Paramount Pictures. Boone Isaacs has been an adjunct professor at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, as well as at USC's division of Film and Television Production, Columbia College Chicago, and Mount Saint Mary’s College. She has an Honorary Doctorate from Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. From 2013 through 2016, She served as chair of District 16, Rhodes Scholarship selection committee. Boone Isaacs was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame and is a trustee emeritus of AFI board of trustees.
“It is an honor to be part of the creative community in Arizona as a Trustee with Arizona Theatre Company. I look forward to working with the ATC team in setting goals and developing strategies to achieve success. Storytelling has been the basis of communication with one another throughout history, it has played an important role in allowing artists to tell stories about who we are as people and pushes us to reflect on our thinking about inclusion and how we may shape our world for today and tomorrow,” said Boone Isaacs.
Tina Waddington is an international strategic consultant and Arizona leader in international relations, diplomacy, and trade. She began her professional journey at the U.S. Embassy in Rome before moving into leadership roles across the private and nonprofit sectors. Over the years, she has helped Arizona companies extend their reach globally while bringing the world to Arizona through international trade and diplomacy initiatives. Her leadership in this arena was recognized in 2022 when she received the Phoenix Sister Cities Global Citizen Award from Mayor Kate Gallego.
Waddington served as the executive director of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations for many years, advancing Arizona’s role globally. Deeply committed to civic engagement and volunteerism, she chairs the Development Committee at the Arizona District Export Council, co-chairs the Ambassadors’ Ball committee of the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona, and participates in economic development and internationally-focused organizations including the Phoenix Sister Cities Business Relations Committee and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, United States Global Leadership Coalition's Arizona Advisory Committee and many others. Waddington also founded the Institute for Future Global Security, where she serves as president of the board, and was recently inducted as an Honorary Commander at Luke Air Force Base. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Arizona and a MA in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University.
“World-class places are defined not only by their innovation but by their culture. For Arizona to shine on the global stage, we need the highest level of the arts—and Arizona Theatre Company has the power to meet that moment, inspiring our residents and drawing the very best talent to our state,” said Waddington.
Arnold H. Murphy is controller at Holualoa Companies, a real estate investment firm with offices in Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Paris managing more than $3 billion in assets that span the United States and Europe. Murphy is an experienced financial executive and certified public accountant with a strong background in nonprofit and corporate financial management. Murphy is committed to supporting mission-driven organizations with his expertise in sound fiscal oversight, strategic planning and operational excellence. He serves as treasurer and board member of Dancers of Studio One, Inc., leading financial stewardship for the nonprofit dance organization. He holds a MA in Accountancy and a BS in Accounting from University of Phoenix.
“Financial stewardship, long-term vision setting and leadership resolve have allowed Arizona Theatre Company to endure for nearly 60 years. I’m excited to serve with its board of trustees to drive the organization into a new decade of sustainability with incredible productions for fans of the performing arts,” said Murphy.
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