Wendy Gillespie

Wendy has been reinvented as a New York Broadway producer. Her most successful production, “Come from Away,” premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse, received 7 Tony Award nominations in 2017, with Chris Ashley winning “Best Musical Director” and she received an Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2019. Her first production, “Allegiance: A New American Musical,” made its debut in San Diego at The Old Globe in 2012, and premiered on Broadway in 2015-16.  “Diana” opened for previews in March 2020 and returned to Broadway 2021-2022. The filmed version of the Broadway production debuted on Netflix on October 1, 2021. "The Kite Runner" and "The Outsiders" are Wendy's next co-productions, in 2024.  "Female Troubles", “Working Girl” "Slam", "Sinatra - UK", "The Secret Life of Bees", and "Dance! Dance! Dance A New Song & Dance Musical" are currently in development.
 
Wendy is a very successful entrepreneur.  Since 1991, Wendy has been a co-founder and is President & CEO of Frontier Trading, Inc, a binational export company. Wendy is also President & CEO of the Capdevilla Gillespie Foundation. The Foundation supports organizations that foster social innovation, cross-border and immigrant population education and support, arts education, and personal responsibility.  The philosophy of the foundation is to give to causes which enable recipients to help themselves or move toward greater self-sufficiency.  

Wendy is very involved in both the San Diego business and philanthropic communities including the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego State University’s Center for the Advancement of Global Business and her alma mater, Montclair State University College of the Arts Advisory Board in New Jersey.

​As an immigrant from the United Kingdom, Wendy is committed to making a difference in our diverse communities.

Producing Partner

Karen Tanz, San Diego, CA

Professional Associations

The Broadway League
Commercial Theater Institute
La Jolla Playhouse
National Alliance of Musical Theater
National Council of the American Theater through TCG (2014-2018)
Theater Resources Unlimited