Lutz family donates $200,000 to Venice Theatre

STAFF REPORT

VENICE — Mike Lutz, of the Lutz Family Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to Venice Theatre for its Next Act Capital Campaign — a campaign designed to raise $25 million. The money is going to the rebuilding and renovation effort after the immense destruction caused by Hurricane Ian.

In honor of the Lutz family and its donation, the scene shop in the Boldt Technical Art Center, renovated and re-opened in November 2021, has been renamed.

The Lutz Family Foundation Scene Shop supports dozens of volunteers and staff members, state-of-the-art equipment, and storage space for the set pieces, back drops, and props appearing in Venice Theatre productions.

“My late father’s two passions were to donate funds for the purchase of state-of-the-art machinery for technical institutes, high schools and even grade schools to help kids learn how to operate CNC machines and robotics, and the other was to support organizations promoting community and volunteerism, exactly like Venice Theatre,” Mike Lutz said. “I am really happy to have found Venice Theatre.”

Lutz shared his remarks as he signed the paperwork for the $200,000 donation. On hand in the newly renamed scene shop with him were Theater production manager/technical director John Andzulis, assistant production manager Brian Freeman, resident scenic designer Tim Wisgerhof and production stage manager/props mistress Lisa Million.