Center Stage: A Conversation with WHBPAC Executive Director Julienne Penza

As Executive Director of Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC), Julienne Penza brings both a deep passion for the arts and a long-standing connection to the community she serves. With a background in theater and arts education, Julienne guides WHBPAC with a clear vision of how the arts can inspire, uplift, and connect people.

Located in the heart of Westhampton Beach, WHBPAC is a year-round cultural hub with performances ranging from world-class concerts and comedy to immersive educational programming for students, seniors, and lifelong learners. Under Julienne’s leadership, the Center continues to thrive as a welcoming space with high-caliber shows and unique community initiatives that reflect the spirit of the East End.

Julienne spoke more about her journey with WHBPAC, the Center’s mission, what sets it apart, and what’s in store for the remainder of the 2025 summer season—and looking ahead to the future.

Can you tell us about your role at WHBPAC and your background with the performing arts?

JP: I’ve been with WHBPAC for sixteen years and have served as WHBPAC’s Executive Director since 2019. Prior to that I was the Center’s Education Director, building our Arts Academy, which is my true love! I have an MFA in Performance and Society, so I’ve always been passionate not only about the arts, but how the arts can transform lives. I studied theatre and in my previous life was an actor, but when I worked at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence during grad school as part of their education department, a new path became clear!

What is the mission of WHBPAC?

JP: The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is a year-round, community-based, not-for-profit 501(c)3 arts organization, founded in 1997, that serves patrons on the East End and beyond. We are a vibrant venue committed to providing a greater understanding and appreciation of the arts and meeting the cultural aspiration of the area by: 1. Presenting world-class performing arts, music, dance, comedy and cinema from around the world, 2. Providing premier arts education programs to the widest and most diverse audiences, regardless of socio-economic status, and 3. Contributing positively to the local economy and enriching the community’s quality of life.

How would you describe what sets WHBPAC apart from other performing arts venues in the region?

JP: I think what’s amazing about the East End of Long Island is that it’s able to support a large number of venues, because there’s such an enthusiasm for live performance. Each venue occupies a different corner of the Island’s cultural landscape. That being said, when you come to WHBPAC, you are welcomed like family into our little jewel box theatre, and the experience is very special. In addition to incredible musicians, Broadway stars, and A-list tributes, we have become THE destination for comedy. Seeing marquee names in a 425-seat theatre in a beautiful, vibrant Village—what could be better? On a technical point, we just overhauled our sound system thanks to a JumpSMART grant from Suffolk County, and we now boast the best sound on Long Island. We have the same equipment used by Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour!

What do you think contributes to the continued success of WHBPAC?

JP: We exist in a community that consistently recognizes our value. With an operating budget of nearly 4 million, we have to fundraise HALF of that in addition to ticket sales and tuition to keep our curtain up. Our community of patrons and donors are so generous and trust us. Over 80 cents of every dollar goes to programming, almost unheard of for a non-profit. We run a lean operation with only eight full-time staffers who wear about a million hats, and we are supported by an active Board of Directors, the very best technical crew, teaching artists, and volunteer corps. It truly does take a village!

Can you share a bit about the summer lineup and what’s ahead for the 2025 season?

JP: This summer has been and continues to be SO FUN! There’s so much darkness in the world, this season we committed to giving folks a respite from it all, letting the arts be healing. It’s a mix of great music – Sutton Foster brought the house down, along with John Lloyd Young, Rumors (Fleetwood Mac tribute), and comedians Alex Edelman, Jessica Kirson, Nimesh Patel, Sheng Wang, and the great Colin Jost had everyone laughing. Still to come, and the show I’m looking forward to most, is two nights of Chelsea Handler (Aug 21&22). We’ve had a PACKED August with Rosebud Baker (Aug 1), My First Ex-Husband with Joyce Behar, Susan Lucci, Jackie Hoffman, and Veanne Cox (Aug 2), Chicago Beginnings (Aug 3), Hannah Berner with two sold out shows (Aug 8&9), A Tribute to ABBA (Aug 10), Des Bishop (Aug 14), Eaglemania (Aug 16), Tig Notaro (Aug 17). Looking forward to Mike DelGuidice (Aug 23), The Band Perry (Aug 24), Three Decades Rewind (Aug 29), That Motown Band (Aug 30), and Zarna Garg (Aug 31).

Have there been any past performances or moments at WHBPAC that have been particularly memorable for you?

JP: My absolute favorite Mainstage show of all time was Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. last summer. Everything about that show, his artistry, his voice, the lighting, the crowd, his grace—it was an emotional night!

My favorite Arts Academy show was 42nd Street. My daughter has been part of the program since she was 7 years old, and it was so transformational. To see her finally play the lead role, and shine with such confidence as a high school senior—no words!

Can you give us a brief history of WHBPAC and how it has evolved over the years?

JP: Our building has been part of Westhampton Beach for over three generations and just received a historic landmark designation from the Town of Southampton. The 1932 movie theater fell into disrepair in the 1990s, and in 1996, a group of concerned village residents and business owners, led by investor Len Conway and retailer Lon Sabella, stepped forward with the intention of buying the movie theater from United Artists.

The movement to create a performing arts space out of a shuttered movie theater has been a labor of love. Nearly 70 people came forward with tens of thousands of dollars to support the theater purchase. The new group, Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Inc, bought the rundown theater for $300,000 in May 1997. In the course of only a year, volunteers raised 60 percent of the $2.8 million needed to transform the building into a state-of-the-art performing arts center.

In the 27 years since, we’ve expanded the programs, expanded our reach, updated our lighting, sound, and rigging systems and are thriving!

We’re especially proud of how we weathered the pandemic, turning the theatre into a studio so we could broadcast performances from our stage, innovative drive-in concerts . . . we never stopped, and our community’s support drove us successfully through those years. It also gave us a chance to reflect on how we wanted to move forward toward becoming a more inclusive and equitable institution, resulting in the creation of our Cultural Equity Council and meaningful cultural partnerships.

Can you talk about WHBPAC’s arts education programs and why they’re important to the community?

JP: Our Arts Education program is unsurpassed in scope and quality on Long Island. Our School Day Performances program, which invites teachers from across Long Island to use our stage as an extension of their classrooms, serves nearly 10,000 students each year, from as far east as Montauk and Orient, and as far west as Nassau County. These are curriculum-connected shows from around the world, for grades PK to 12, and will be many children’s first exposure to live theatre. Then, we have a full-scale Arts Academy with a student body of about 600. This includes after-school classes that culminate in full musical productions on our stage, weeklong summer camps ending in shows on Fridays, a daytime arts program for seniors called “Melodies and Memories,” a daytime arts program for students with special needs and their caregivers, tap and ballet classes for adults, and an evening songwriting class.

We believe that these experiences not only teach children (and adults!) performing arts skills, but they teach life skills like problem-solving, self-discipline, and presenting with confidence. We also believe we are doing our part to create more empathetic, kind, and actively listening humans.

How do you encourage community involvement with WHBPAC?

JP: We strive to engage our community through various outreach efforts. We work closely with VetTix to offer over 300 tickets each year to Veterans on Long Island. We program strategically with various community groups and cultural partners like The Butterfly Effect Project and OLA to encourage as much community participation as possible.

We put on a Holiday Stroll each December to support our downtown economy and drive off-season business to our incredible Main Street shops and restaurants. Our community is everything to us.

What are some ways people can support or participate in WHBPAC’s work, whether through volunteering, attending events, or otherwise?

JP: We offer at least three volunteer trainings each year, and people can visit our website to sign up. We love our volunteers!

We put on several events throughout the year outside of performances, two golf tournaments, and our Holiday Stroll. We’re really looking forward to our fall golf tournament at Sebonack on Tuesday, September 9 – there’s still room!

Visit our website or email me at [email protected] to find out more!