Tom Abruzzo

Tom Abruzzo has a diverse work experience in various leadership, teaching, and artistic roles. Starting in 2011, they worked as a Server and Trainer at The Cheesecake Factory until 2015. From 2015 to 2016, they worked as an Assistant Supervisor of Show and Event Production at SeaWorld San Diego, where they maintained artistic integrity and managed show productions. In 2015, they also worked as an Event Coordinator at APEX, overseeing SeaWorld's Christmas Village and collaborating with community performance groups. In 2017, they became a Program Director at Galileo Learning, managing daily operations and creating a fun environment for campers. In 2018, they briefly worked as a Community Engagement Associate at San Francisco Playhouse, implementing community engagement projects. From 2018 to present, they have taken on roles such as Executive Leadership and Music Director/Pianist at Davis Shakespeare Festival, conducting grant writing, managing teams, and overseeing artistic aspects. In 2019, they became a Doctoral Research Assistant at the University of San Diego, conducting research on the nonprofit sector and providing leadership training. Tom also served as a Lecturer, teaching courses on leadership and social justice. In 2022, they worked as Theatrical Conservatory Director at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and in 2023, they will serve as Director of Education & Engagement at CCAE Theatricals.

Tom Abruzzo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, specializing in Piano, from Rowan University in 2011. Tom then pursued a Master of Arts degree in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management from Colorado State University, which they completed between 2016 and 2018. Currently, they are working towards a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership at the University of San Diego, expected to be completed in 2023.