From the high-paced music and dances of each musical to the delicately color-washed paintings that line the walls of the Coppell Arts Center at times, one face is behind it all – managing director Ginene Delcioppo.

Delcioppo utilizes what she learned from the entertainment and theatre industry prior to the arts center in the form of shows and rentals. Graduating from DeSales University in Pennsylvania with a degree in technical theatre, theatre design and technology, she moved on to work on shows including “The Lion King” or “Spamelot,” as well as working for NBC. 

Delcioppo has been with the Coppell Arts Center since 2021. Starting as the marketing and development manager, she quickly integrated into the daily life and operations of the facility. 

“I want people to feel welcome,” Delcioppo said. “I want them to feel like they belong no matter who they are, and that they are going to have a beautiful, fun experience that would be a lasting memory that they can share for themselves, or share with their loved ones.”

The center attempted opening in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it experienced many challenges, forced to make adjustments until finding success.

Moving to Coppell from Boston encouraged her to adapt to small town ways. 

“When I came in, I had to learn how local governments worked, and how they can work with entertainment and artist contracts,” Delcioppo said. “It was a big learning experience for me on how to work with the city, because there are things we have to get approved from city council.”

Throughout her time as managing director, she worked alongside a team of five others: patron services manager Emma McKenzie, programming manager Bryant Yeager, production manager Matthew Pearce, event services manager Reilly Ohara and marketing and development manager Christine Vu. 

“We do private rentals and none of that can be executed without the team,” Delcioppo said. “I have five other supervisors that help do all the daily operations. We work together as a unit to turn and execute about 330 events per year in the three arms of service.”

Delcioppo serves as a guide for other staff members with her caring, empathetic and service-first attitude. 

“I really see Ginene as a mentor, and I’m able to see how she leads meetings, the way she’s asking questions for our team just outwardly when we have larger meetings throughout the city,” Vu said. “Having her leadership and being an example for how to run an arts center has been really beneficial.”

Now, Delcioppo is transitioning out of her role as managing director. Later this year, she will transition into her new role as the chief communication strategist for the City of Coppell.

During her five years at the Coppell Arts Center, her influence has shined through to the community and the people around her. 

“I have seen the growth and the influence she has had through our different sectors and being able to support,” Vu said. “She’s worked closely with volunteers and with ticketing and supporting our different sectors.”

Her involvement in the Coppell community will only become greater. 

“She has had a huge impact on the community,” CORE Manager Lauren Rodriguez said. “While we are losing her in our department and this expertise, we are not losing her in terms of the city. She will connect more because she will be involved in every little piece of the city. She is truly going to be the face of the city.”

Delcioppo has not only changed parts of the community, but also parts of the city management. 

“I am going to miss her challenging our thinking,” Rodriguez said. “She is really good at getting us to think outside the box and if we are leaning toward one idea, she is not afraid to say, ‘Hold on, are we on the right path?’”

While at the arts center, she gained insight on the workings of a facility that creates strong connections with the community. Her time there has shaped who she will be as the chief communications strategist.

“The city of Coppell has a very strong culture in investing in their teams and their growth professionally and personally,” Delcioppo said. “That has helped me and allowed me to transfer my skills to my employees, my team members and others interested in getting into this business. All of those things helped improve me to where I am today.”

Her lasting legacy has left an imprint on the center itself.

“It is going to be some big shoes to fill, because her knowledge, her creativity and her leadership are huge in that building,” Rodriguez said. “I think whoever this person is is going to be fortunate that she is still in our organization and she will still be a resource to them.”

Delcioppo’s impact will be remembered by all around the community. 

“I think for the community, she’ll be remembered for the impact overall,” Rodriguez said. “For the arts center, some of the community may have wondered why we were getting an arts center originally. I think she’s helped answer that question for them.”

Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.