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From left to right: Alejandro Solis, assistant technical director; Administrative Assistant Noelle Lindem; Interim Director Mick Cumbie; and Technical Director Todd Meyers.
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WIU Introduces Team Behind New Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts

August 13, 2026

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MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University is preparing to welcome audiences to the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts (GCPA), and a team of experienced professionals is working behind the scenes to bring the University's newest performance venue to life.

As the center prepares to open its doors for its inaugural season this fall, the GCPA team includes Interim Director Mick Cumbie, Technical Director Todd Meyers, Assistant Technical Director Alejandro Solis and Administrative Assistant Noelle Lindem.

Together, the team will support the center's performances, productions and events while helping establish the Goldfarb Center as a destination for arts, culture and entertainment in the Western Illinois region.

"I am looking forward to a dynamic inaugural year for the Goldfarb Center and the opportunities the facility will provide for the university and the surrounding community," Cumbie said.

Cumbie was named interim director of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts effective June 1. He previously served as director of development for the College of Fine Arts and Communication at WIU from 2006-15 and again from 2023-25. He also served in senior roles at The University of Georgia and the College of Coastal Georgia. Cumbie served as chair of the Military Science Department at WIU from 2001 until he retired from the Army in 2006.

The technical operations of the new facility will be led by Meyers, who brings more than 40 years of experience to the Goldfarb Center. Meyers previously served as technical director for Sangamon Auditorium at the University of Illinois Springfield for five years, overseeing technical operations for productions and events. He also served for three years as technical director for the Fort Worth Community Arts Center in Texas.

"I love the work and wanted to get back into it," Meyers said of joining the Goldfarb Center team.
Meyers said he is excited about the opportunities the new venue will provide for both audiences and WIU students in Theatre, Music and Dance.

"I believe the CPA will bring in acts that will allow audiences to experience things that have not been available in the past in the Macomb area," Meyers said. "The WIU students have a modern venue to perform in that will give them real-world experience that will enhance their education."

Meyers said he hopes the Goldfarb Center will become a "go-to" destination for entertainment in the region. He also looks forward to the excitement and challenges that come with opening a brand-new performing arts venue.

Joining Meyers on the technical team is Alejandro Solis, assistant technical director for the Goldfarb Center. Solis graduated from WIU in May with a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Production and a minor in Music Business. His hands-on experience includes work as an audio-visual technician for WIU Theatre and Dance productions, Tri-State Public Radio, the City of Macomb with University Television, the Leatherneck ESPN+ crew and School of Music live events.

Solis said the opportunity to work alongside local and internationally recognized talent drew him to the Goldfarb Center.

"I'm excited to join this team for the inaugural season and establish a high-quality baseline for the years to come," Solis said.

In his role, Solis will work as a cameraman, live sound operator and livestream engineer, helping create an engaging experience for audiences attending performances in person as well as those experiencing events from home.

"I hope that the center will act as a collaborative hub where people can connect through shared creative passions," Solis said. "I'd like to envision that the center will help the WIU community forge kind, meaningful, supportive bonds based on the shared appreciation of art and creativity."

As the Goldfarb Center prepares to welcome its first audiences, Solis said he is particularly excited to tackle the technical challenges of a brand-new facility and work alongside the Goldfarb Center staff and WIU faculty who helped prepare him for his career.

Also joining the team is Administrative Assistant Noelle Lindem, who first came to WIU as a student in the Art Leadership MFA program before transitioning into her staff role with the Goldfarb Center.

"The opportunity to study for my MFA and work at Western has allowed me to combine my passion for administrative work and theatre," Lindem said. "I love working on projects that let me see the big picture while also being part of the details that help make everything happen."

Throughout her career, Lindem has worked in administrative roles across several fields, bringing a wide range of experience to the position. In her role at the Goldfarb Center, she will work closely with performers, students and audience members, helping ensure a welcoming and memorable experience for everyone who visits.

"I hope the Goldfarb Center becomes a place of joy and community that is welcoming and open to everyone," Lindem said. "I hope it can be a place where people connect through the arts and find a reprieve from day-to-day life."

As the center prepares to open, Lindem said she is most excited to share the new space and its experiences with the community. One fun fact: she is an avid fan of The Lord of the Rings and proudly considers herself a devoted nerd about the series.

The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is the first new state-funded academic building at WIU in more than 40 years. The 100,000-square-foot facility features performance, rehearsal and teaching spaces that will support academic programs in Theatre, Music and Dance.

As the doors to the Goldfarb Center prepare to open, the team behind the facility is focused on creating a space where students can learn, performers can thrive and audiences can experience the power of live performance.

The team is preparing for the Goldfarb Center's inaugural season, "A Season of Joy," which begins in September and will feature performances from nationally recognized artists and entertainers. Season subscriptions are currently on sale at westernpresents.com, with individual tickets scheduled to go on sale in August.

For more information or to become a volunteer, visit go.wiu.edu/4z6eN0Y. For more information on WIU's GCPA, visit wiu.edu/cofac/gcpa. To stay up to date on performances, follow the center's Facebook page at facebook.com/wiugoldfarbcenter.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing