Muse Machine Board Announces Resignation of

Executive Director Luke Dennis

Dennis accepts position with Harvard University; Search for new Executive Director planned

Dayton – Dianne Trentman, Chair of the Muse Machine Board of Trustees has announced that Executive Director Luke Dennis has accepted a job with Harvard University and will be leaving the Muse Machine later this year.

“Anyone who knows Luke Dennis and the fine work he has done for the Muse Machine will also understand our very mixed feelings about his announced departure,” said Trentman. “We have been fortunate to have Luke as our Executive Director for the past three years and we are proud and appreciative of the leadership and talent he brought to the Muse Machine. At the same time, we are excited for him and know he will continue to do great things in his new role.

”Dennis has accepted the role of Curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection. Founded in 1901, the Harvard Theatre Collection was the first compendium of its kind to be established in this country. It stands as one of the largest performing arts collections in the world and is the oldest theatre collection in the world of international significance.

As Curator, Dennis will have primary responsibility for collection-building, promotion, and collaboration of activities and usage with faculty and students.  The Curator interacts with Harvard faculty and staff from the university’s Loeb Music Library, the Harvard Film Archive, and Harvard’s Office of the Arts and Culture. Dennis will engage faculty and students in aligning Theatre Collection programs with teaching and research, as well as representing Harvard with professional and scholarly organizations dedicated to the history of performing arts.

“I believe Harvard hired me because of the expertise I’ve developed in arts education while serving in my role here at Muse Machine,” said Dennis.

Dennis’s accomplishments at Muse Machine are many, as described by Board Chair Trentman. Some notable accomplishments include: revitalizing the organization’s approach to individual giving, increasing overall corporate and foundation contributions, remaining revenue-positive during his tenure as Executive Director, and directing a bold new strategic education plan the for the organization.

“I have enjoyed working with all of our talented team members and I’m confident that they will continue to provide amazing service to the community under new leadership. As part of the Dayton community, I will always support the Muse Machine and will continue to advocate for them, despite my location,” said Dennis.

While Dennis plans to continue in his current role in Dayton until the end of December, Trentman has announced that the board will begin the search for a new Executive Director in the very near future.