AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas at Austin Performing Arts Center at The University of Texas at Austin today (March 27) announced that Pebbles Wadsworth, director of the PAC since 1992, is retiring on Jan. 1, 2008.
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Pebbles Wadsworth
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Photo: Thomas McConnell
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Wadsworth, who became director of the UCLA Performing Arts Center at the age of 28 and the first female president of the International Society for the Performing Arts, said she believes it’s time to “pass the torch to the next generation.”
“I certainly know the important role younger and more diversified leadership can play,” Wadsworth said. “At 59, wisdom tells me that the time is right to provide a platform for a younger person to assume this leadership position in the arts.”
“The Performing Arts Center is one of the premier performing arts venues in the United States because of the vision, dedication and leadership of Pebbles Wadsworth,” said William Powers Jr., president of The University of Texas at Austin. “During her tenure as director, she brought an impressive lineup of world-class artists and programs to Austin. One of her most enduring contributions was to forge and strengthen partnerships that broke down cultural barriers and extended the university’s artistic reach into Latin America. She will be sorely missed.”
Wadsworth’s decision to step down comes as the PAC wraps its 25th anniversary season and prepares to close Bass Concert Hall on May 21 for a $15 million renovation. Although no timeline or budget have been set, plans are also under way to restore the university’s historic Hogg Memorial Auditorium, which was built in 1933.
Wadsworth will continue to serve as director of the UT Performing Arts Center until January 2008.
“I will miss this great university and the Performing Arts Center which have become part of my soul but I also look forward to refocusing my energies on new opportunities at UT,” said Wadsworth. “The next director will inherit a wonderful center with excellent programs, good fiscal health and two newly renovated halls, and I feel good about that.”
For more information contact: Leslie Lyon, College of Fine Arts, 512-475-7033.
