Board of Directors

My name is Joe M. Emmert, I grew up in Shelby, and graduated from SHS in 1990.  At SHS, I was a member of the Theater Tech Crew (lighting, set construction, stage manager). 

 

I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994.  At USNA, I was a member of the Masqueraders Tech Crew (lighting, sound, set construction, director).  After a 23 year career as an officer in the U.S. Navy, I retired as a Commander.  Three of my tours of duty were in the Engineering Department of different classes of ships -- the Sailors in those divisions or departments I led were responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of various types of heavy machinery.  Six of my tours of duty were in the Operations Departments or as the Chief Staff Officer for various staffs -- some of my responsibilities in those positions was preparation for, scheduling of, and facilitating recurring meetings.  The most satisfying of my responsibilities in those positions was building diverse teams to plan and execute major international military exercises. 

 

I love the challenge of having a wide range of goals and trying to figure out how to accomplish as many of them as possible within a given set of rules, limited budgets, and unforgiving deadlines.  In early 2018, my wife and I moved back to Shelby.  I am very excited for this opportunity to restore and renovate this historic theater and help provide a space where everyone feels welcomed, included, and entertained in Uptown Shelby.

Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Air Traffic Controller, as well as a retired Department of Defense Civilian Air Traffic Controller.  During my time as an Air Traffic Controller, I have produced and/or served as “Air Boss” for many airshows from Wilmington NC to Kaneohe and Honolulu Hawaii. 

 

Previously I served as the volunteer technical director/broadcast producer for First Baptist Church where I managed sound and lighting (Yamaha CL5, and Road Hog 4 lighting) as well as TV direction, production and post-production with Final Cut Pro X. I am also a member of the American Legion World Series Executive Committee as the Field Director and Aerial Events Coordinator.

 

Last but not least, I am also a NCHSAA Swim and Dive Referee as well as a USA Swimming Stroke and Turn Judge and Starter.

I grew up in the idyllic foothills of Shelby, recently returning home after years away realizing my dream of working for the Walt Disney Company. I am excited to be a part of the Rogers Theater Project. As a Shelby native, I am passionate about the revitalization of my hometown, bringing back to life our nostalgic uptown area.   I have a strong connection with our community, and am excited about creating and participating in the continued vision.  

I spent 30 years with the Walt Disney Company as an entertainment manager, stage manager, event manager, and production manager where I created connections with our Disney brands for partners and people around the world, offering limitless possibilities and solutions that are rooted in imagination and premium storytelling. I worked in many different areas of broadcast, entertainment and live shows during my tenure there.  Some of the projects I worked on as the lead production manager include Disney’s Hollywood Studios Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Christmas Show, 2016 New Year’s Eve Show, and  multiple Star Wars Galactic Nights Events as well as, live stage shows throughout the park. I was rresponsible for oversight of daily live entertainment offerings with focus on stages shows and special events and was responsible for the coordination and presentation of live show entertainment offerings, including integration and supervising all show elements such as talent, character performers, technicians, costuming, cosmetology, maintenance, and park operations.  In 2019, I was the recipient of the Walt Disney Company’s highest honor, the Walt Disney Legacy Award. This global recognition is presented to individuals who excel in the criteria of “Dream, Create and Inspire.”  During my years in the entertainment field, I was awarded a 100% excellence award for The March of the First Order at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a National Telly Award for creating and producing a children’s show on cable television.

 

I received a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where I led the majorette squad in the Marching Tar Heels, and was a Letterman for the Varsity Fencing Team. I also received a legal studies honor degree from Southern College in Orlando, Florida. 

I have been involved in area theatre since my first production as a technician in 1994.  After graduating from Shelby High School in 1998, I traveled to the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education.

 

Serving as director of the Kings Mountain High School Theatre Department from 2003 to 2017, I won several Excellence in Directing awards as well as the State High School Play Festival in 2012 and Wells Fargo Best Musical Tier 1 for Little Shop of Horrors at the 2015 Blumey Awards. In 2017, I returned to my alma mater to take over the theatre department and have been working to create a productive and award-winning theatre department. 

 

Outside of work, I have served as an actor, director, president and board member for both Kings Mountain Little Theatre and Greater Shelby Community Theatre. I am also currently serving on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Theatre Conference.