Daz Weller moved from his native Australia to Las Vegas in 2010. In 2017, he became executive artistic director of the Vegas Theatre Company (formerly known as Cockroach Theatre), where he’d win best director honors in the Vegas Valley Theatre Awards for Sweat. Weller’s newest venture is his biggest challenge — CEO and artistic director of the cooperative transforming the Arts District’s former Art Houz cinemas complex into the Third Street arts incubator, set to open in the spring. But alongside VTC’s partners Vegas City Opera, Laugh After Dark, Las Vegas Sinfonietta, and world-famous magician Teller, he foresees dramatic success.
Why is this the right time for Third Street?
The vision is there, the audience is there … the convergence of many things keeps moving forward. And we have this unicorn of a space. This project is not geared to tourists, but to a homegrown audience. Also, right now, (the performing arts community) doesn’t have mentorship for new voices. We’ll have an education component.
First-phase plans include a 250-seat proscenium theater, a 150-seat black box, and a renovated third-floor event space. What else is planned?
Plans include a film and music component, partly as a revenue model. Two rooms (will be configured) as screening rooms, sound-recording studios, and for post-mix facilities for films. The revenue stream from these rentals will help subsidize other programs, and (these facilities) will become a valuable resource for the community.
What do you want visitors to get out of Third Street?
Core to our vision is the arc of experience. From engaging through the website, to parking, dining, remaining in the space after seeing a performance … we want people to commune with others afterward. It will be worth leaving your home for. Third Street also means third place: not your home, not your work, but a place to exchange ideas.
For more: thirdstreet.vegas
