● Spotlight
Spotlight on a Legacy
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE’ S CELEBRITY SERIES SHINES IN ITS 58TH SEASON
Story By Beckie Erwin
On performance night for Celebrity Series in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, a warm glow spills from Orr Auditorium at Westminster College. Inside, anticipation buzzes as audience members, including students and families, retirees and professionals, and lifelong arts enthusiasts, settle into their seats. Some have been season ticket holders for decades, others are attending for the first time, but all share one expectation: they’ re about to witness something extraordinary. This is the Celebrity Series- a performing arts institution now in its 58th season. And at the heart of it all is its director, Connie McGinnis, a proud member of the Westminster College staff since 1993.
“ I started out as the box office manager,” Connie recalls.“ Then quickly moved into the assistant director role. I was fortunate to work alongside my mentor and predecessor, Eugene DeCaprio, who truly transformed the program.” Under DeCaprio’ s visionary leadership, Celebrity Series became known for its top-tier performances and sold-out shows.“ Gene taught me everything,” she said.“ His impact on this program, and on me personally, was profound. When he
10 VALLEY VOICES
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It’ s about more than the music, It’ s about people. Community. Relationships.
Connie McGinnis
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retired in 2010, I was honored to step into his shoes.” DeCaprio passed away in 2024, a loss Connie still feels deeply.
Yet the program continues to evolve under her direction. While Celebrity Series remains dedicated to presenting world-class entertainment, Connie has infused it with new energy and fresh initiatives.
Growing the vision In 2002, driven by a personal desire to share the magic of theatre with her daughter, Connie launched Celebrity Series for Kids- a professional children’ s theatre initiative that would welcome thousands of schoolchildren to Westminster’ s campus. Productions like“ Clifford the Big Red Dog,”“ Junie B. Jones,” and“ Strega Nona the Musical” enchanted young audiences while supporting educators through curriculum connections.
“ I saw a gap in local arts programming for young children,” said Connie.“ So we filled it.”
Special events brought even more magic to campus. When Marc Brown visited for“ Arthur Tricks the Tooth Fairy,” he not only signed books for fans but also met with education majors studying early childhood development.
In 2017, Connie extended the Celebrity Series experience beyond campus with Celebrity Series On the Road, organizing trips to Broadway tours in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Plans were even underway for a New York City Broadway weekend when COVID-19 struck.
The pandemic forced a pause, but not a shutdown.“ We pivoted quickly,” she said. With Celebrity Series at Home, audiences received streaming content and themed“ snack and sip” pairings, creative touches that brought comfort and connection during uncertain times.