Kathy Wiebe
Kathy Wiebe is a highly experienced technical entertainment and production professional with a career spanning over four decades. She currently works as an L1 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, contributing across multiple roles including stage management, lighting design, and video production. In addition, she supports Opera Orlando as an electrics assistant and works with the City of Orlando at Lake Eola as a board operator and programmer, showcasing her versatility and commitment to live performance quality.
Kathy’s career began somewhat serendipitously through a personal connection, which led to her first roles at SeaWorld. She quickly established herself in technical theatre and production management, co-owning an architectural and theatrical dimming and control business and serving as a Technical Director for Mount Dora Academy, where she created a conservatory track that helped students gain admission to top-tier technical theatre programs. Her work has spanned theme parks, cruise ship new builds with Norwegian Cruise Lines, and regional theatres, including Orlando Shakes and the University of Central Florida, demonstrating her expertise across diverse live performance environments.
Known for her adaptability, technical skill, and mentorship, Kathy emphasizes continuous learning and encourages more women to enter technical theatre. She is recognized for her ability to seamlessly manage multiple aspects of production, from lighting design and programming to stage management and technical operations. Kathy combines hands-on experience with a passion for education and innovation, making her a respected figure in technical entertainment and live production management.
• IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to actively listening. My son has been teaching me this, and now every time I do a show, I actively listen to the team I'm working with instead of jumping to conclusions. That's probably my biggest strength. It's tough, especially when you're trying to prove yourself on a daily basis, but active listening has made all the difference in how I work with my teams and approach each production.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice Kathy has embraced is to learn from everyone around you—peers, colleagues, and even younger professionals—and to view shared learning and collaboration as essential for growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ask a thousand questions, because no question is ever wrong. Find somebody that you're comfortable with who will mentor you and get under somebody's wing. Don't be so fast at declaring yourself as being in a box - learn everything that you can, because the more you learn in our business, the more you're going to work. Every time I see a high school girl at the Thespians competitions doing technical lighting design or something technical, I try to reinforce that if this is truly what you want to do, go to a reputable college and find somebody who's going to mentor you. It's not a race to get to the top, so enjoy what you're learning and learn from people who are going to teach you something valuable.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges for people of my age is to continue to work as we get a lot more people coming out of colleges who will undercut your price. It's continuing to prove that you are the better choice, you're the more consistent choice - those are the challenges in our business. The biggest opportunity is getting more women doing this work. Every time I see a high school girl at the Thespians competitions doing technical lighting design or something technical, I try to encourage them and reinforce that this can be a real career path if they pursue it seriously.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are collaboration, adaptability, continuous growth, and authenticity. I strive to support others, stay open to new ideas, and maintain a strong work ethic in both my personal and professional life. These values guide how I approach challenges and opportunities every day.