The creative staff at The Ruzika Company brings a diverse design background to their work, including extensive theatrical and technical backgrounds. They have added their creative flair to theme parks, corporate plazas, shopping malls, retail stores, theatres, churches, restaurants, and residences. They have consulted on major performing arts centers, educational theatres, production support facilities, and live events. Having managed and supervised the installation of lighting systems in major theme park attractions and entertainment venues throughout the world, their electrical, architectural, and construction knowledge assures excellent communication of creative design ideas.

TOM RUZIKA
Tom’s theatrical lighting designs have been seen on Broadway, in national tours, at major regional theatres, and for many national and international dance and opera companies.  His entertainment lighting can be seen at theme parks in six different countries and his architectural lighting can be seen in prestigious hotels, casinos, restaurants, and retail centers across the nation and in multiple Asian and European countries. He has consulted on numerous performance facilities for schools throughout California and has created an extensive Master Plan for lighting the exterior facades of 104 historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles .  Other projects include the production direction of major fireworks spectaculars, the coordination of television specials, and the management of regional musical groups. Ruzika's theatrical designs have received numerous Critics Circle Awards and his architectural lighting designs have received national and international design awards. Tom was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award in Lighting from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and the distinguished alumni award at Cal Poly Pomona. He is a recipient of the Lighting Dimensions Designer of the Year award.

BETTY ANN CASTANEDA
Betty Ann has been a designer for The Ruzika Company for over 20 years. She has been involved in projects such as Hard Rock Hotel and Casinos, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Japan, Porto Europa Entertainment District, Warner Bros. Movie World Spain, and the Boomtown Hotel & Casino. Betty Ann has designed the architectural lighting for many high end residences, libraries, the award winning Viejas Retail Outlet Complex, and the Disney Store in Tokyo Japan. Betty Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Design from California State University at Long Beach.  

JOHN SOFRANKO
John has worked with The Ruzika Company on numerous themed entrainment projects including Universal Studios Japan, Warner Bros. Movie World Germany, Hard Rock Theme Park, Porto Europa Wakayama Japan Entertainment District, Backdraft , Korea Taejon Expo 93, and other international entertainment facilities and venues.  John has an extensive background in the design and specification of lighting control systems.  He was the project manager for the renovation of he Chicago Lyric Opera House and has also served as Master Production Electrician for the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, U.C. Irvine School of Fine Arts, and the Minneapolis Children's Theatre.

SHAWN FIDLER
Shawn, a BFA Stage Management graduate of USC and a Master of Fine Arts Lighting Design graduate of UC Irvine, has served as a theatrical lighting designer or an assistant lighting designer for South Coast Repertory Theatre, Opera Pacific, the Ivar Theatre, and contemporary dance companies. Since joining The Ruzika Company, Shawn has been involved in projects including the Hard Rock Seminole Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, and the Body English Ultra Lounge in Las Vegas, as well as multiple architectural lighting and theatre consulting projects.

JEN OZAI
Jen brings strong interior and graphic design skills to The Ruzika Company team with a Bachelor of Fine Art's degree in Interior Architecture. She has had experience in the interior and lighting design fields and currently assists with all aspects of the lighting design process. Jen has been responsible for presentation boards, design documentation, and specifications on numerous architectural lighting design projects including Pala Casino & resort Expansion, Mastro's Restaurants, and Indiana Live Casino.

ALAN PILUKAS
Alan is a recent addition to The Ruzika Company, with a diverse background in entertainment production as a technician, lighting designer, systems integrator, and project manager. In the past decade, he has been a part of Cirque du Soleil, Fisher Technical Services, Illuminating Concepts, and the Obie Company. Alan holds degrees from the University of Michigan in Political Science and UC San Diego in Lighting Design. He has over 12 years of lighting design and project management experience.

ASSOCIATES AND OFFICE SUPPORT

Design Associates

Design Assistants

Design Interns

Office Manager