WHERE VEGAS CREATES
THIRD Street is Nevada’s first multidisciplinary arts epicenter, bringing together live performance, broadcast production, education and community in one place.
THIRD Street is building the infrastructure that transforms local performance into globally distributed content, positioning Las Vegas as not just a consumer of culture, but the producer of it.
Accelerating Las Vegas Arts & Culture
For too long, local artists have lacked the venues, resources, and career pathways needed to stay and thrive in Las Vegas.
THIRD Street aims to change that by creating a multidisciplinary arts epicenter where talent can be developed, stories can be shared, and new work can be made right here in the city.
Born from collaboration, built on existing infrastructure, and led by the cultural leaders already doing the work, THIRD Street will become a multidisciplinary home for performance, education, and production.
Meet the team and founding organizations leading the way.
The Team
We Know Vegas. We Know The Arts.
Meet the leaders bringing THIRD Street to life.
Daz Weller
CEO
Darren "Daz" Weller is an accomplished actor, theatre director, producer, and arts leader with more than twentyfive years of experience across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A graduate of the Queensland University of Technology's Acting Program, he built an early international career working with Australia's leading theatre companies and Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes at Sydney Theatre Company. As Executive Artistic Director of Vegas Theatre Company (VTC) — formerly Cockroach Theatre — he has transformed the organization from a small collective into one of Nevada’s premier professional theaters offering arts and education at Las Vegas’s Arts Square.
Ginger Land Van Buuren
COO
An award-winning actress, film producer, and powerhouse soprano, Ginger is a founder and principal executive for THIRD. As founder and former Executive Director of Vegas City Opera (formerly Sin City Opera), she programmed experiences that pushed the boundaries of what opera can be. With over fifteen years of nonprofit experience in the arts and social services, Ginger is nationally recognized for her innovative initiatives and community impact. Before dedicating her career to social impact, Ginger spent two decades as a marketing and public relations executive, leading national campaigns with global brands including Coca-Cola, Pfizer, and Hershey's, as well as landmark work with First Lady Laura Bush for the Red Dress Campaign at New York Fashion Week.
Robert Bullwinkel
Board of DirectorsChair
As founding partner at Big Idea Arts and Education Consulting, Mr. Bullwinkel has managed over $10 million in Department of Education grants delivering arts services for under-resourced school districts across the nation. Mr. Bullwinkel has also worked with many influential organizations effecting systems-level change for schools, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the San Francisco Symphony, the Hewlett Foundation and others. Prior to Big Idea, Mr. Bullwinkel’s early career teaching music and theater at inner-city high schools culminated in the position of Regional Arts lead for Central California, as well as numerous awards recognizing his contributions to arts education.
Alexia Vernon
Board of DirectorsVice-Chair
Alexia Vernon is the founder and CEO of Step into Your Moxie, an executive and talent development company that helps organizations supercharge their leadership, communication, and culture. A featured expert by media including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, Entrepreneur, Inc., SUCCESS, and the European Business Review, she is also the author of the multi award-winning book, Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Alexia began her career leading professional development for CUNY's Creative Arts Team and served as Executive Producer of the New York City Student Shakespeare Festival, experiences that shaped her expertise in storytelling, leadership, and organizational impact.
Lauren Rosenblatt
SecretaryBoard of Directors
Lauren is a governance expert and energy attorney who has lived in Las Vegas since 2014. She left full-time legal work behind in 2018 to found Barrio Eléctrico in Puerto Rico, raising nearly $40 million for the corporate mission of reaching low- and moderate-income customers with affordable rooftop solar and energy storage. She now steers her second start-up, Uplift Solar Corp., with the mission of furthering technological innovation in solar energy. Lauren’s history with art and artistic innovation in Las Vegas includes her prior tenure as Director and Chair of the Vegas Theatre Company.
David Stalder
TreasurerBoard of Directors
David G. Stalder is an entrepreneur and business founder bringing 43 years of experience in the International Pharmaceutical Research Industry to his board leadership role. He provides strategic planning, financial oversight, and budget management expertise, ensuring THIRD Street's long-term fiscal sustainability. In retirement, David remains an active supporter of the arts, local performing arts groups, and the broader Las Vegas community.
James D'Asaro
Board of Directors
James "Jim" D'Asaro brings an exceptional depth of experience in performing arts facility construction, production management, and organizational leadership. He recently relocated to Las Vegas following ten years as Director of Production for the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, where he served as theater lead during the construction of a 70,000-square-foot facility. James also served as a faculty member and production representative during planning and construction of the Greer Garson Theatre at Southern Methodist University. Earlier in his career, he was Director of Production for New York City Opera for nearly a decade, Resident Stage Manager at Yale Repertory Theatre, and Production Manager at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Kelsey Borlan
Board of Directors
Kelsey Borlan is an award-winning director, producer, and brand strategist whose work spans television, live production, and cultural storytelling. As Co-Founder and Director of Laugh After Dark, Kelsey co- produced the first independently created stand-up comedy series to premiere on Amazon Prime Video, later expanding the brand into a nationally recognized platform for emerging comedic talent. Under her leadership, Laugh After Dark has released multiple stand-up specials, albums, and the annual Laugh After Dark ComedyFest, earning festival awards and first-round Grammy consideration for several projects.
Taras Krysa
Board of Directors
Taras Krysa is a Ukrainian-born, American-based conductor, establishing a national and international reputation for innovative and inspiring music-making and leadership. He serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Las Vegas Sinfonietta and continues in his role as Director of Orchestras at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Mindy Caprioglio
Board of Directors
Mindy Caprioglio is an attorney, actress, teacher, and former Peace Corps volunteer who has dedicated her life in Las Vegas to performing and mentoring emerging artists. She trained at California State University, Harvard, and the Moscow Art Theatre, and has developed arts education at UNLV and CSN. A veteran of the local theater scene in Las Vegas and a former executive at Zappos, Mindy now practices law with the firm of Hicks & Brasier while continuing to perform with SpeigelWorld on the Las Vegas Strip.
Will Adamson
Board of Directors
Will Adamson is a brand strategist and arts advocate whose work sits at the intersection of technology infrastructure and live performance. He serves as Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing Architecture at Switch, helping shape how a company in the data-center and digital-infrastructure space communicates its value, purpose, and impact. Adamson has also played a long-term role in building Las Vegas’ independent theater ecosystem as a founder of the Cockroach Theatre Company. His perspective on arts leadership has been shaped by speaking publicly about how visibility, shared standards, and audience enthusiasm can strengthen the overall theatre community.
Jillian Austin
Board of Directors
Jillian Austin’s career in business development, marketing, and strategy include work in film, TV, new media, and location-based experiential events, have been marked by crafting award-winning stories that captivate audiences and yield quantifiable business impact. She has had the honor of collaborating with an array of esteemed brands, including Insomniac, LVMH, Toyota, and Google. Her portfolio also boasts partnerships with industry giants like Netflix, Amazon, Uber, and Disney, as well as engagements with prestigious entities such as Michelin, BMW, and many more. Jillian's journey is about forging connections, elevating brands, and, most importantly, telling stories that resonate and inspire.
Michelle Patrick
Board of Directors
Michelle Patrick is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans theater, dance, and photography. Michelle currently serves as an arts administrator with the Nevada Arts Council, leading statewide organizational community development initiatives and grant support. Her career includes positions with the City of Las Vegas, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Sundance Film Festival, and the role of panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. She sits on the advisory board for the Nevada Women's Film Festival and has been featured in various publications including Nevada Humanities, Chic Compass, and Boynes Arts Award, establishing her as a cultural contributor to the Southwest arts landscape.
Moon Xia
Board of Directors
Moon is a global senior executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, Moon served as President of Mobile Services at Teleplan, leading global service operations and expanding strategic partnerships across 18 international sites throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. In prior roles, Moon held full P&L responsibility, overseeing manufacturing operations supporting automotive, telecom, and medical sectors. Moon also brings hands-on experience producing live concerts and entertainment events through independent projects, adding practical insight into event operations, audience-focused execution, and partner coordination.
Paco Álvarez
Board of DirectorsEx Officio Director
Las Vegas native Brian “Paco” Álvarez holds a master’s degree in urban leadership from the School of Public Policy and Leadership at UNLV and has founded two start-ups: Psionic Art Works and Very Very Vegas Tours. Paco has held curator positions with the Liberace Museum, Neon Museum, City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs 2005 Centennial Exhibition, Las Vegas News Bureau Photo and Films Archives, Zappos.com, and Clark County Public Art. He has served in various capacities the Museum Fiasco at Area 15, the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission and Regional Transportation Commission Art-in-Transit Advisory Council, Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, Atomic Museum, Contemporary Arts Center of Las Vegas, Hispanic Museum of Nevada, Nevada Museums Association, 18b Arts District Neighborhood Association, Preserve Nevada, and The Liberace Foundation.
Founding Partner
Vegas City Opera
Real Vegas. Real Opera. No velvet ropes required.
Known for immersive productions and fearless programming, Vegas City Opera has redefined what opera looks and sounds like in Las Vegas. Co-founded and led by Executive Artistic Director Ginger Land-van Buuren, VCO brings classical music into unexpected places—and now, with a permanent home at THIRD Street, they’ll produce full opera seasons, community concerts, youth chorus programs, camps, and workshops that make opera accessible for all.
Founding Partner
Vegas Theatre Company
Bold performance. Local voices. Stories that bring us together.
From a DIY troupe of UNLV grads to one of Nevada’s most respected theater companies, Vegas Theatre Company has spent over two decades telling stories that reflect the people of Las Vegas. As a founder of THIRD Street, VTC brings the leadership, artistry, and community-first vision that’s powered their evolution—and now, with properly scaled stages, they’re ready to deepen their impact and shape the future of performance in the city they call home.
Founding Partner
Las Vegas Sinfonietta
Intimate music. Big impact.
Las Vegas Sinfonietta was founded by musicians committed to bringing world-class classical performance to local audiences. Under the direction of Taras Krysa, the orchestra blends technical excellence with community outreach. Their residency at THIRD Street gives them a home base for live concerts, youth education programs, and intimate ensemble performances that make classical music more accessible than ever in Downtown Las Vegas.
Founding Partner
Laugh After Dark
Stand-up. Specials. Streaming. Live from THIRD Street.
As the lead comedy and broadcast resident at THIRD Street, Laugh After Dark brings a fully realized live production engine to the campus—complete with multi-camera capabilities, an award-winning comedy label, and a proven track record of developing talent for stage and screen. From professional filming to post-production and platform delivery, Laugh After Dark powers the campus’s broadcast capabilities and ensures that what happens at THIRD Street gets seen by audiences everywhere.
WANT TO BE INVOLVED?
THIRD Street is currently seeking arts organizations, arts educators, creative producers, and volunteers who want to make and perform art in the heart of the Arts District.