Meet Our Staff!

Bobb is in his 17th year at VYT as Producing Artistic Director. He came to VYT with a bright new vision to offer children a safe place to learn, grow, and exercise their innate sense of creativity. Under his direction and energetic leadership, Valley Youth Theatre has become a highly-respected, professional-level theatre company where virtually thousands of young people experience the magic of live theatre. Bobb's first full season at Valley Youth Theatre was nominated for 32 ariZoni Awards for Theatre Excellence, and was the recipient of 15 awards, including Best Overall Children's Production for Annie and Best Director for The Wizard of Oz, a favorite production of Bobb's because it so beautifully illustrates his view that anything can happen as long as you believe. On the heels of the successful 1997-98 season, VYT lost their home at Tower Plaza. Bobb and the Board found a run-down building at the corner of First Street and Fillmore, a lease was negotiated and construction began on a new home for Valley Youth Theatre. For most of the 1998-1999 season, Bobb could be found with hammer, nails and shovel in hand. Yet, he still managed to produce two shows that season at the Herberger Theater Center, and walked away from the 1998-99 ariZoni Awards with Best Director honors for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In the 1999-2000 season, Bobb oversaw the grand opening of VYT's new 202-seat theatre, produced eight shows, including the very successful Peter Pan for which he secured the set from the Cathy Rigby touring show.

In August of 2000, Valley Youth Theatre was named "Arts Organization of the Year" by the Business Volunteers for the Arts. Bobb was honored as the "Artist of the Year" 2000 by the Arizona Theater Alliance. Under Bobb's leadership, VYT became part of a successful city bond proposal in 2001, giving Valley Youth Theatre its first permanent home. VYT's 2000-2001 season received 81 ariZoni Award nominations, and Bobb received four "Best Director - Children's Musical" ariZoni Awards. In the fall of 2001, VYT was honored by the Black Board of Directors as "Arts Organization of the Year 2001" for exceptional diversity in programming. In 2002 Bobb was named to The Business Journal's "40 Under 40," as one of the business community's "rising stars!" In 2003 Valley Youth Theatre was accepted into the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the organization for professional theatre. In 2004, Bobb was recognized by The Business Journal as one of the "Valley's Most Influential" business leaders. VYT's 2004-2005 season garnered 84 ariZoni Award nominations; and Bobb was honored with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2005 ariZoni Award ceremony. VYT was honored with 32 ariZoni Awards for the 2005-2006 season and Bobb was named the top leader for Mid-Size Non-Profits by the Organization of Non-Profit Executives 2006.

Bobb's professional affiliations include Phoenix Community Alliance, Arizonans for Cultural Development, Arizona Theatre Alliance, ariZoni Theatre Awards Board, O.N.E., National Who's Who of Executives, Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Bobb is currently developing the Valley Youth Center for The Arts, which will bring together VYT and other major youth arts organizations, at a site at First and Fillmore Streets in downtown Phoenix.