Life is Beautiful
Ben Stephenson is a seasoned professional in the field of technical theatre and event management, currently serving as a Senior Project Manager at Encore since July 2022. With extensive experience as a Stage Manager for Life is Beautiful, LLC since August 2017, Ben has been responsible for event stage management and production advances for the Huntridge Stage. Prior roles include Assistant Build Site Supervisor at Enchant and a long tenure at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, where Ben held various positions such as Technical Manager and Head Carpenter. Additional experience spans roles at ONE DROP, Wynn Las Vegas, NETworks Presentations, and the Center for Southern Folklore. Ben holds a Bachelor's Degree in Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Life is Beautiful
WE EXIST TO BUILD A MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD A name like ‘Life is Beautiful’ comes with great responsibility. Because Life is Beautiful is more than just a festival, it’s a way of moving through the world. BUT WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL, ANYWAY? It is a world that defaults to optimism. It is a world where potential meets possibility. It is a world with equity in opportunity. It’s a world that offers exposure to new experiences, outside of our comfort zones. WE BELIEVE IN TAKING ACTION Founded in 2013, our three-day music, arts, and culture festival was born as part of a major transformation of Downtown Las Vegas, a historically underserved neighborhood. In the years since our founding, over $350M in economic impact and cultural capital have flooded into DTLV and the surrounding area. WE EXIST TO SHIFT PERSPECTIVES When you shift a person’s perspective, you shift their reality. Science tells us that being kind and speaking positive thoughts boosts serotonin and dopamine, creating feelings of satisfaction and well-being. We believe that the simple act of saying, reading, and hearing “Life is Beautiful” more often can make the world so.