Ben Juhnke is an accomplished Lighting & Scenic Designer and theatre practitioner with a versatile career spanning regional theatre, Off-Broadway, and live events across the United States.

As a resident designer with The Forum Theatre and Head Electrician and Lighting Designer for Music Theatre Wichita, Ben has contributed to hundreds of productions, including the North American premiere of War Horse, Crazy for You (Music Theatre Wichita), and major national tours such as Beetlejuice and Come From Away. Notably, he has designed for Broadway-level productions and worked alongside icons like Bernadette Peters, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Hart, Mandy Patinkin, Rich Mullins, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Beyond design, Ben has held leadership roles in production—Technical Director and Designer at Newman University Theatre, Production Stage Manager for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Business Agent for IATSE Local 190, and Designer at Kent AV.

As an educator, he’s served as Visiting Professor of Scenic & Lighting Design at Wichita State University and faculty at Newman University.

Ben’s holistic approach combines creative innovation, technical expertise, collaboration, and mentorship. As he articulates:

“Theatre should be an environment where an artist can feel free to push boundaries … ensuring that the atmosphere around a production is open and accepting.”

He holds a BFA in Theatrical Design from Wichita State University.

Selected Credits & Roles

• Lighting Designer / Head Electrician – War Horse (North American Premiere)

• Lighting Designer – Crazy for You, Music Theatre Wichita

• Collaborations with artists such as Bernadette Peters, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Hart, Mandy Patinkin, Rich Mullins, Steven Curtis Chapman

• Technical Director & Designer – Newman University Theatre

• Production Stage Manager – Wichita Symphony Orchestra

• Business Agent – IATSE Local 190

• Lighting Designer – Kent AV

• Resident Scenic/Lighting Designer – The Forum Theatre

Academic Roles

• Visiting Professor, Scenic & Lighting Design – Wichita State University

• Faculty, Theatrical Design – Newman University

Ben Juhnke’s career defines the fusion of artistry, technical finesse, and education—driving memorable theatrical experiences at every level.