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Conservatory's Chief Amazed By Creativity

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

DOWNTOWN - In 1975, Wendy Leigh was Delaware's Junior Miss. Her talent: singing "I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No" from the musical "Oklahoma!"

Now vice president of education and humanities at the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Leigh has spent her life following her passion for theater. She came to Tampa after getting an education degree from Columbia College of Missouri. She earned a theater degree from the University of South Florida, where she is a master's student in education.

Leigh taught drama at Hillsborough and Chamberlain high schools before founding the Loft Theater Company in 1987 and becoming artistic director of the performing arts center's Off Center Theater in 1993.

She took a break in 1999 to be at home with her two daughters and in January 2004 returned to the theater scene at the helm of the conservatory, which offers performing arts classes, workshops and experimentation to children and adults.

She lives in North Tampa with her husband, Ken Silbert, and their daughters, Gillian, 9, and Emma, 12.

Q. What's it like being vice president of the conservatory?

A. It's insanely creative. It's explosive growth. There are times where it's like, 'Oh my God, what are we going to do next?' I can go from room to room and get goose bumps.

Q. You have said you get fulfillment helping children find their direction in life.

A. They rise to the challenge. That bit of joy you see in them; you can't describe it. You just have to see it.

Q. What's the greatest challenge in running the conservatory?

A. Getting the word out. We just need to let people know that we're here for the community. It's for everybody. I'm blessed to be here, but everyone can be as blessed as I am just by walking through the door.

Q. How does the conservatory help youth development?

A. It clearly breaks down cultural barriers. It allows them to step outside themselves and yet get to know themselves better by exploring other subjects.

Q. What are your immediate goals?

A. I'd love to have the classes filled with a waiting list to get in. I'd like to deepen the experience of Hillsborough County students during field trips.

Q. Your long-term goals?

A. My long-term goal is clearly to make a difference. It's not about me anymore. Now, you can't get me on the stage. I get really nervous. I find creativity in turning people on. ... I want this city to have a sustainable arts program. I'd like to create an artist endowment.

CENTER STAGE

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26, the Patel Conservatory will host a free Back-to-School Sneak Peek event during which guests can tour the conservatory, observe and participate in classes. Call (813) 222-1002 or go to www.patelconservatory.org.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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