Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Rob Leigh came to Kansas City to live at age 5. He was educated in the public school system and graduated from Westport High School in 1961. He attended the University of Missouri, Columbia for two years before transferring to UMKC when it became part of the M.U. system and earned a B.A. in English Language and Literature, with a minor in Social Sciences. He then began what became a career of 45 years in the commercial insurance brokerage business, earning the professional designations of Associate in Risk Management, Accredited Advisor in Insurance and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). He served in various capacities with six different companies during his insurance career, retiring in 2005.
Additionally, Leigh and his spouse, Paula Leigh, an interior designer, have co-owned and operated Delaware Interiors in Prairie Village, Kan. for the past 18 years. They have two grown children Robert and Amy and three grandchildren.
Leigh is just about ready to finish his second year in a two-year term as president of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre’s Board of Directors. “I met Bob and Karen Paisley when they had some space at the Arts Incubator,” Leigh says. “The first play I saw was a three-person production called The Good German. I had never heard of the play, but it was such a noble experiment and that is what many of our plays are … we do good work with few resources. There was also something so appealing as I watched Bob and Karen attract amazing talent not only in actors, but also in technicians, stage crew and volunteers.” Leigh, who was a literature major in college, treasures plays. “It’s that magic when the words move from the written page and come to life.”
Leigh wants to encourage other business leaders to support the arts. “I have always felt that a strong, vibrant cultural community is the soul of a city and I have always enjoyed and supported the performing and visual arts here in Kansas City. So, when I was approached to join the Board of Metropolitan Ensemble Theater a few years ago I couldn’t think of a reason to not do so,” he says.
Highlights, for Leigh, are the various productions. Some of his favorites have been Kiss of the Spider Woman in May 2009 and last fall’s Kentucky Cycle. “This production was just audacious. It involved a major cast and a two-night commitment from the audience. It was something from a group no bigger than we are.” Leigh also enjoyed the season closer last spring with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. “I would say that Karen is the gem of the organization. She is a prime mover and an idea machine.”
As for the future, Leigh believes the MET will continue to grow. “We need to raise funds and develop a more substantial audience base. … I will continue to volunteer and offer as much financial support as I can and buy season tickets. In a perfect world, we would continue to stretch each season and raise the bar. We need to be here for the long haul, offering shows that challenge us and our audience.”
