Our Mission
Using the art of musical theatre
to promote diverse artistic opportunities
and community involvement.
Our Vision
Sharing stories that reflect humanity,
inspiring all of us to see our similarities
and value our differences.
Our Story
Saguaro City seeks to create a cultural hub that is uniquely Tucsonan by partnering with local artisans and businesses, as well as offering inclusive arts access to the entire community.
We are building Saguaro City to entertain, embrace, and empower the people of Tucson. Musical theatre can inspire us, provoke us, and connect us. It is not a luxury; it is a necessity for every community to grow and thrive.
Meet The Team
Meet Our Board
JAN ALBUS, BA, LISTD
"I see nothing but happiness - smiles on the faces of some beautiful children."
JMA GROUP LLC, President
PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTIONS, President & Executive Producer
JAN ALBUS has produced and directed over 300 special events including ballet, musical theater, operetta, and concerts. Her performing career includes 40 productions with the Muny, the St. Louis Civic Ballet, and the Florida Ballet Company. She holds a teaching degree and BA in French and English from St. Louis University, and a doctorate from the I.S.T.D., London, England. While teaching in the theater department at Webster University, she established the St. Louis Performing Arts Academy and the Westport Playhouse Dance Department. Jan founded St. Louis Performing Arts Productions and counts Bye Bye Birdie and Babes in Toyland as her favorites as producer with that company. At Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, her position as CEO utilized her background in theater, fundraising for children’s causes, and her marketing experience with national corporate sponsors. She founded many programs including Variety’s Bikes for Kids, Adventure Camp, Variety Chorus, Variety Dance, Curtain Up Camp, Variety Children’s Theatre (a professional company including a children’s ensemble of children with disabilities), and the Dennis and Judith Jones Wonderland in Forest Park. She co-produced the Sammy Davis Jr. Variety Telethon on CBS which received an Emmy award in 2007. She created Variety’s Runway Lights Fashion Show with New York designers including Carmen Marc Volvo and Ralph Lauren, and produced the Dinner with the Stars gala for 21 years with headliners including Diana Ross, Bernadette Peters, Lionel Richie, Sutton Foster, Patti LaBelle, Santana and Harry Connick Jr. In 2011, Jan received the Women in Leadership Award from the St. Louis Empowerment Foundation and in 2012 St. Louis Variety won the coveted Gold Heart Award as the best of 44 Variety chapters worldwide. In 2018 she and Lara Teeter were honored with the St. Louis Theater Circle Award for their “body of work” over the past nine years for Variety Theatre. Jan is married to Larry, her mentor and inspiration in all endeavors, and is proud of her daughter Jacque, son Mike and his wife Annie, and two incredible grandsons Sam and Ben.
RAY FRIEDERS
"I've been in the non-profit sector for over 20 years...and I'm thrilled to be here."
COX MEDIA
Ray Frieders is Creative Services Manager for Cox Media in Tucson, Arizona. Over the past 40+ years he has worked to tell the stories of local businesses and non-profits through advertising campaigns across all screens. He has served the Southern Arizona community with over 20 years of volunteer work in the non-profit sector. He is past president of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona, and has served as a board member for Tucson Alliance for Autism and VOICES: Community Stories. He also spent 4 years on the marketing committee of CYT Tucson (Christian Youth Theater) where he developed a passion for bringing new audiences to the shows. He is thrilled to be part of the Saguaro City Music Theatre team.
JAMES HUMPHREY
"...it's something that this city needs and deserves."
Jim Humphrey is the owner of Encore Senior Resources, a placement service for seniors needing assistance with activities of daily living and memory care. Nonprofit experience includes Board of Directors for the Northwest YMCA where he served on various committees and one year as Chair. Jim was a board member for the Arizona Oncology Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Tucson Chapter of the National Placement and Referral Alliance.
ENCORE SENIOR RESOURCES
DAVID I. KARP, PLLC
THE LAW OFFICE OF DAVID I. KARP
"Forgiveness is greater than vengeance. Compassion more powerful than anger."
-Joseph
David Karp is an estate planning and elder law attorney in Tucson. With his children active singers and dancers in Tucson during their formative years, he has been an active attendee for Tucson musical theatre. Dave has lived in Tucson with his wife Iris (a Tucson urologist) since 2000 and is hoping Saguaro City Theatre promotes a love of theatre in Tucson’s youth. His oldest daughter teaches second grade at Tucson Hebrew Academy and his son is completing his junior year at USC as a pre-med student and biology major.
LEE KLEIN
"As a Southern Arizona lifer, I am very committed to seeing this community thrive."
Lee was born in rural Sierra Vista, Arizona, a town of about 35,000 people situated just a few miles north of the border with Mexico. After graduating from Buena High School, he attended the University of Arizona graduating with degrees in Business Management and Entrepreneurship in 2009. In 2011 he joined Cox Media (a sister company of Cox Communications) where he began his career in advertising production and sales in Tucson, Arizona. Beyond supporting the theater arts, Lee’s other interests include playing golf, and he has been known to sign up to sing first at any karaoke event. Lee and his wife Jessica now call Virginia Beach home, where he is the General Sales Manager of Cox Media’s Virginia market operations.
COX MEDIA
CATHRYN M. SAKIYAMA
THOMAS T. SAKIYAMA
SAKIYAMA FAMILY FOUNDATION
"Whether it be adults or students, Cathy and I have tried to walk with them, to help them find a place where they belong."
Cathy and Tom worked as classroom teachers. Tom also worked as a financial planner, a college instructor at 3 California universities teaching special teacher credentialing courses, church administrator, mediator, regional church denomination President. For 15 years, Tom managed the family nursery business and later the Sakiyama Family Foundation. He has shared his photographic skills in public education at multiple levels. Pacific Historic Parks at Pearl Harbor continues to publish his photos in their publications and merchandise. Officiating youth and adult community baseball was a passion for many years. Tom and his wife Cathy were honored by their hometown in California with their Humanitarian Award and recognized by city, county, and state officials for their work in the community. Cathy has been a leader in La Leche League and discussion for Bible Study Fellowship. Tom has served on the Stages St. Louis Board of Trustees for 9 years. He and Cathy have served on numerous committees with Stages St. Louis. The Missouri Arts Council recognized Tom and Cathy with the Philanthropy for the Arts award in 2016. They have focused their attention on the Stages Performing Art Academy. Tom and Cathy have hosted numerous cast parties for Stages taking the opportunity to offer the hospitality of the patrons to our talented guests. Tom and Cathy enjoy experiencing the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the many photo opportunities there, on the land, sea, and from the air.
CHARLIE INGRAM &
DREW HUMPHREY
