本杰明J. Luczak ' 09， ' 15 returned to Shenandoah for his master’s degree because he was granted an assistantship with former Conservatory Managing Director 坎德拉Whitlock-Ingram. Whitlock-Ingram served as a mentor to Luczak and he looked to her for advice as a friend and for career guidance. His fondest memory of Shenandoah is his four seasons as an actor with the Shenandoah Summer 音乐 剧院.
After graduating from Shenandoah, Luzack went on to receive a Certificate of Fundraising Management from the University of Nebraska Omaha, 和多样性, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida.
Luczak is the director of development at Des Moines Performing Arts in Des Moines, Iowa. As the director of development, he leads a high-functioning team of fundraisers, provides strategic direction to grow contributed revenue, as well as directs annual, capital and endowment campaigns.
在此之前, Luczak worked as a development leader for Asolo Repertory 剧院, 百老汇达拉斯, 奥马哈表演艺术, The Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Shenandoah Conservatory 表演. Most recently in his role at Asolo Repertory 剧院, he completed the first phase of a multi-year capital and endowment campaign entitled, “打造未来”,” which raised $15 million for new rehearsal and education facilities. The new facility opened in June of 2022, fully funded.
工作之余, Luczak has served on the Board of Directors for Houston-based Social Movement Contemporary 跳舞, co-chaired the League of Resident 剧院’s Executive Search (a subcommittee of LORT’s EDI Committee) and was a grant panelist for Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs. He has also served as an adjudicator for the Nebraska High School 剧院 Awards, a grant maker for the Equality Fund of Omaha and a board member for Nebraska AIDS Project.
Luczak believes Shenandoah provided him with a well-rounded, liberal arts education. “With my BFA in 音乐al 剧院 and my MS in Performing Arts 领导 and Management from SU, I am uniquely qualified to raise funds for performing arts,卢扎克说.
和, he wants Shenandoah students to know that he is available to answer questions regarding the arts administration business.
Luczak’s advice to students is: “Sometimes dreams change. Also work hard, be persistent, be open to new ideas, and keep dreaming. 努力工作，更努力地玩耍.”