Interim Executive Director

Czaplinski grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas where he was the co-captain of the 1991-92 men’s basketball team under coach Roy Williams. A few years later, he began his arts administration career at the Lied Center in Lawrence, apprenticing under the nationally recognized leadership of former director Jacqueline Z. Davis. Czaplinski notes the following projects as highlights during his five-year stint: Still/Here by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance, Jazz Train by choreographer Donald Byrd, Le Belle et Le Bette by composer Philip Glass and choreographer Susan Marshall, and The Nova Convention: Revisited, which was a performance tribute to William Burroughs featuring Patti Smith, Michael Stipe, Blondie, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Ed Sanders, John Giorgio and Mr. Burroughs himself.

Primarily focused on working with the performing arts, Czaplinski’s career includes stops at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music (1999-2002); On the Boards in Seattle (2002-2017), which was called “one of America’s best theaters for contemporary performance” by the New York Times during his tenure; and most recently at the Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University (2017-2023).

Czaplinski cites the following as primary career accomplishments: realizing boundary-pushing programming by artists from around the world; producing dozens of new projects with numerous emerging and established artists; achieving success in all aspects of arts administration, including fundraising, fiscal management and strategic planning; and experimenting with initiatives to make organizations more inclusive, accessible and dynamic. For example, in 2004, Czaplinski started an online platform for contemporary performance called OntheBoards.tv that at one point boasted over 150 university subscribers globally, who integrated the specially produced performance videos on the site into their teaching.

In 2024, Czaplinski established C-ZAP MOVING CO. to offer consulting services for performing artists and organizations, including planning, programming and producing, and executive support. More information can be found at c-zap.com

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