First Floor Theater

In His Hands had its Chicago Premiere with First Floor Theater.
Aug 1-24, 2024

Director Micah Figueroa
Stage Manager Oswald Avile
Assistant Director/Choreographer Emily Brooks
Violence & Intimacy Co-Directors Courtney Abbot & Kirsten Baity
Scenic Designer Jonathan Berg-Einhorn
Lighting Designer Conchita Avitia
Assistant Lighting Designer Zuzel Garcia
Sound Designer Peter Clare
Costumes Designer Isaac Pineda
Tech Director Andy Cahoon

CHRISTIAN - Alex Benito Rodriguez
DANIEL - Yuchi Chiu
THE THERAPIST - Matt Martin
THE FATHER - Matt Klingler

Production photos by Michael Brosilow
Poster by Ian McLaren

Williamstown Theatre Festival

at the very bottom of a body of water was presented as part of Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 Reading Series on Friday, July 12th at 3pm. The venue was changed to the CenterStage for the reading directed by Cat Rodríguez and featuring Annie Henk, Natsuko Hiromi, Emma Ramos, and Daisuke Tsuji.

photos by Arden Dickson

Curious Theatre Company

Old Haunt was written as part of the 24 Hour Plays fundraiser and performed on June 26, 2024 directed by Jada Dixon and featuring performances by Laura Chávez, Lisa Hori-Garcia, Eden Lane, and Iliana Lucero Barron.

photos by Michael Ensminger

Portland Stage

Manning had its World Premiere at Portland Stage in Portland ME as part of their 50th Anniversary Season.
​June 5-16, 2024

Director Alex Keegan
Assistant Director Julia Jennings
Scenic Designer Emmie Finkel
Costume Designer Kathleen Payton Brown
Lighting Designer Chris Akerlind
Sound Designer Seth Asa Stengel
Puppet Designer Elliot Nye
Stage Manager Myles Hatch
Fight Choreographer Michael Dix Thomas
With special zucchini thanks to Erminio Pinque

FREDDY - Shawn Denegre-Vaught
SEBASTIAN - Martín Ortiz
JULIO - Dave Anzuelo
ANA - Annie Henk

Photos by James A. Hadley, courtesy of Portland Stage

Colorado New Play Festival

this man i call mi primo opened the Colorado New Play Festival on Friday, June 15, 2024 presented by Seattle Repertory Theatre and directed by Dámaso Rodríguez, dramaturgy by Paul Adolphsen, and performances by Fernando Gonzalez and Phillip Ray Guevara.

photos by Bruce Thayer

Chance Theater

Alma had its Orange County Premiere at Chance Theater in Anaheim, CA. 
The production run was extended and ran from May 3-31, 2024.
Directed by Sara Guerrero
Scenic Design by Christopher Scott Murillo
Costume Design by Jeanette Godoy
Lighting Design by Kara Ramlow
Sound Design by Melanie Falcón
Stage Management by Cynthia C. Espinoza
Dramaturgy by Karli Jean Lonnquist
Fight Direction by Martin Noyes

Alma - Marta Portillo
​Angel - Heather Lee Echeverria

Playwrights' Center

Fantasma was presented as part of the 40th annual PlayLabs at the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, MN directed by Cat Rodríguez, dramaturged by Wendy Weckwerth, and featuring performances by Denise Blasor, Carla Solari, Ceci Fernandez, Tatyana-Marie Carlo, Emma Ramos, and Cristina Castro.

Primary Stages

this man i call mi primo was presented on Thursday, April 4, 2024 as part of the Fresh Ink Reading Series. Performances by Ricardo Vazquez and Brandon Contreras with direction by Dámaso Rodríguez.

New Mexico State University

Seattle Repertory Theatre

untitled anthropocene play was presented as a staged reading at Seattle Rep directed by Dámaso Rodríguez.
The cast was Remy Ortiz and Ricardo Vazquez.

Latinx New Play Festival

Manning was presented as part of the Latinx New Play Festival at La Jolla Playhouse on October 27, 2023. Directed by Cat Rodríguez and featuring performances by Jose Febus, Germainne Lebrón, Sam Gonzalez, and Catalina Maynard. With stage management by Rose Figueroa and dramaturgy by Jazmine Logan.

The Spot

Alma was presented at The Spot in Ketchum, ID.
Sept 29-Oct 8, 2023
Direction & Sound Design by Brett Moellenberg
Scenic Design & Projection Design by Kevin Wade
Lighting & Projection Design by Samuel Mollner
Stage Management, Costumes, & Props by Yanna Lantz

ALMA - Marlene Montes
ANGEL - Isabella Orrego Madriñan

Ojai Playwrights Conference

and thou shalt be healed was presented as a staged reading at the Ojai Playwrights Conference on August 5th, 2023 at 3pm. Directed by Rory Pelsue and featuring performances by Cat Rodríguez and Brian Otaño with dramaturgy by Jeremy B. Cohen.

Portland Stage

Manning had a workshop and reading at Portland Stage in ME on Friday, April 28th at 7pm in Little Festival of the Unexpected as the Grand Prize Winner of the Clauder Competition. The reading was directed by Alex Keegan and and featured performances by Julian Sanchez, Dario Ladani Sanchez, JL Rey, and Annie Henk.

Pillsbury House Theatre

What / Washed Ashore / Astray had its World Premiere at Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis, MN.
March 16-April 16, 2023
​Directed by Noël Raymond
Production Management by Elizabeth MacNally
Stage Managed by Z Malika
Scenic Design by Joel Sass
Sound Design by C Andrew Mayer
Prop Design by Kellie Larson
Lighting Design by Kathy Maxwell
Costume Design by Amber Brown
Photos by Bruce Silcox

Puppetry Design and Performance by Oanh Vu, Andrew Young, & Izzy Alesna

CAT - Melissa Hart
CHRIS - Barbra Berlovitz
JAMIE - Tracey Maloney

Primary Stages

and thou shalt be healed was presented on April 11th at 3pm at 59E59 Theaters NYC. Directed by Rory Pelsue and featuring performances by Cat Rodríguez and Remy Ortiz.

Central Square Theater

Alma ​was produced at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA on February 23-March 26, 2023.
Directed by Elena Velasco
Scenic Design by Erik D. Diaz
Lighting Design by Andrea Sofia Sala
Costume Design by Kiara Escalera
Sound Design by Brendan F. Doyle
Props by Jennifer Butler
Dialect Coaching by Cristhian Mancinas-García
Choreography by Angie Jepson
Sound Engineering by Kai Bohlman
Community Connectivity Dramaturgy by Zowie Rico
Stage Management by Jenna Worden, Deirdre Benson, Geena M. Forristall, Melissa Smith & Laurel Stenzler
Photos by Nile Scott Studios

ALMA - Karina Beleno Carney
ANGEL - Luz Lopez
ANGEL (understudy) - Susanna Turner

Curious Theatre Company

Alma had its Regional Premiere as part of Curious Theatre's 25th Season in Denver, CO.
January 14-February 18, 2023
Directed by Denise Yvette Serna
Scenic Design by Markas Henry
Lighting Design by Elise Rosado
Costume Design by Nicole Watts
Sound and Projection Design by El Armstrong
Props Design by Krista Montoya
Stage Managed by Connie Lane
Photos by Mark Montour-Larson

ALMA - Laura Chávez
​ANGEL - Iliana Lucero Barron

Page 73

American Blues Theater

Alma had its World Premiere production with American Blues Theater in Chicago, IL.
September 22 - October 22, 2022
Directed by Ana Velzaquez
Scenic Design by Tara Houston
Lighting by Rachel West
Costume Design by Lily Walls
Sound Design by Eric Backus
Props by Verity Neely
Intimacy and Fight Choreo by Gaby Labotka
Spanish Captions by Ana Maria Campoy
Tech Direction by Manny Ortiz
Production & Stage Management by Shandee Vaughan
Photos by Jenn Udoni

ALMA - Jazmín Corona
ANGEL - Bryanna Colón

Understudies: Vero Maynez & Amelia Hernandez

South Coast Repertory

Fantasma was presented at South Coast Rep on September 12, 2022 and Cal State Fullerton on September 13, 2022 as part of the NewSCRipts in Schools partnership. Directed by Cat Rodríguez and featuring Denise Blasor, Diana Burbano, Heather Lee Echeverria, Lorena Martinez, Danielle Perez, and Cheryl Umaña with dramaturgy by Andy Knight. 

​Mosaic Theater Company

In His Hands had its World Premiere at Mosaic Theater Company (Washington, DC). 
June 23-July 17, 2022
​Directed by José Carrasquillo
Scenic Design by Tony Cisek
Lighting Design by William D'Eugenio
Costume Design by Moyenda Kulemeka
Sound Design by Sarah O'Halloran
Stage Management by Jeanette Buck & Lauren Pekel
Fight & Intimacy Choreography by Jonathan Ezra Rubin
Assistant Direction by Erika Scott
Associate Lighting Design by Adam Mendelson
Casting Direction & Dramaturgy by Chelsea Radigan
Director of Production & Photos by Chris Banks

DANIEL - Michael Mainwaring
CHRIS/TIAN - Josh Adams
THE FATHER - Sasha Olinick
THE THERAPIST - Joe Mallon

ArtsWest Playhouse

Alma had its Seattle Premiere at ArtsWest Playhouse in Seattle, WA.
May 5-22, 2022
Directed by Sophie Franco
Stage Management by Emily Grierson
Scenic Design by Parmida Ziaei
Lighting Design by Casey Price
Sound Design by Andi Villegas
Costume Design by Zoé Tziotis Shields
Properties by Bella Rivera
Dialogue Coaching and Dramaturgy by Anonieta Carpio

ALMA - Yolanda Suarez
ANGEL - Leah Saniz-Jones

Photos by John McLellan

Primary Stages

Manning was part of Primary Stage's Fresh Ink Reading Series in NYC. Directed by Alex Keegan and featuring Dave Anzuelo, Fernando Gonzalez, Annie Henk, and Ricardo Vazquez.

Seattle Repertory Theatre

Center Theatre Group

Alma had its World Premiere at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre (Los Angeles, CA) on March 6-April 3, 2022.
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
Scenic Design by Tanya Orellana
Costume Design by Carolyn Mazuca
Lighting Design by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz
Sound Design by Daniel Corral
Fight Direction by Edgar Landa
Stage Management by Miriam Mendoza

ALMA - Cheryl Umaña
ANGEL - Sabrina Fest

Photos by Craig Schwartz

Yale School of Drama

Manning was presented at the David Geffen/Yale School of Drama's Iseman Theater in New Haven, CT on
December 16-18, 2021
Directed by Alex Keegan
Scenic Design by Emmie Finckel
Costume Design by Kitty Cassetti
Lighting Design by Riva Fairhall
Puppet Design by Erminio Pinque
Sound Design by Liam Bellman-Sharpe
Dramaturgy by Sophie Greenspan and Henriëtte Rietveld
Produced by Catherine María "Cat" Rodríguez
Stage Management by Andrew Petrick

ANA - Nefesh Cordero Pino
JULIO - Anthony Holiday
SEBASTIAN - Jake Ryan Lozano
FREDDY - Julian Sanchez

Duke University

Benjamin was invited by the Theatre Studies program to be a Guest Artist in residence for two weeks, wherein he developed his South Coast Repertory commissioned play Fantasma with collaborator Cat Rodriguez. An article about the culminating sharing was featured in The Chronicle.

New Harmony Project

Benjamin was selected as a writer in residence as part of the 2021 Conference.

news

at the very bottom of a body of water was named one of the five finalists for the Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2021 L. Arnold Weissberger Award.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Benjamin was commissioned by Milwaukee Repertory Theatre to write a short play about connectivity, hope, and the need of community. mother's tongue: a rehearsal was directed by Cat Rodriguez and features Danaya Esperanza and Ciara McMillian.

​Portland Stage Company

In His Hands was one of the 3 finalist plays selected from 120 submissions in Portland Stage's Clauder Competition for New England playwrights. A virtual reading of the play directed by Maeli Goren with dramaturgy by Rebecca Adelsheim and featuring Gregory Georges, John Evans Reese, Devin White, and Walton Wilton will be presented as part of Little Festival of the Unexpected on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7pm ET.

Mirrorbox Theatre

In His Hands had a Zoom reading on January 22, 2021, as part of Mirrorbox Theatre's "Out of the Box" series, directed by Cavan Hallman.

​IAMA Theatre Company

In His Hands was presented as a Zoom reading as part of IAMA Theatre Company's 2020 New Works Festival on Friday, October 23rd at 6pm PT, directed by Kareem Fahmy.

Austin Film Festival

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was a Finalist (top 3) for Austin Film Festival's Playwriting Award.

American Blues Theater

American Blues Theater presents a Zoom reading of Alma starring Jazmin Corona as ALMA and Keren Diaz de Leon as ANGEL on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 3pm CT and Monday, October 19, 2020 at 7pm CT. ​

Arizona Theatre Company

This reading starred Danaya Esperanza as ALMA and Amandla Jahava as ANGEL.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Alma was included in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts' 2020 Colorado New Play Summit.
Directed by Cat Rodriguez with Danaya Esperanza as ALMA and Amandla Jahava as ANGEL.

​Roundabout Underground

Benjamin's play In His Hands; or the gay christian play was featured as part of the Roundabout Underground Reading Series in NYC on February 3rd at 5pm.
The reading was directed by Mike Donahue.
The cast was:
DANIEL - Christopher Livingston
CHRISTIAN - Bubba Weiler
THE THERAPIST - Mark Junek
THE FATHER - Brian Hutchison

​Yale School of Drama

In His Hands; or the gay christian play was part of the Langston Hughes Festival of New Plays at Yale School of Drama. Performances were December 5-10, 2019.
Director: Maeli Goren
Dramaturg: Rebecca Adelsheim
Sound Designer: Noel Nichols
Stage Manager: Andrew Petrick
Cast:
Daniel - Gregory Saint Georges
Christian - John Evans Reese
The Therapist - Devin White
The Father - Patrick Ball

Yale Cabaret

Benjamin is a co-creator and performer of benjisun presents bodyssey.
This was his debut full-length mask / puppetry / movement piece with Jisun Kim featuring composition and live sound by Emily Duncan Wilson.
Performances were at 8pm and 11pm October 3-5, 2019 at the Yale Cabaret.
A review was featured in the New Haven Review.

The Old Globe

Alma was presented as part of the New Voices in the Community at The Old Globe. The creative team was Elena Araoz, Cat Rodriguez, Cynthia Bastidas, and Alisha Espinosa.
Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Chula Vista Public Library 2PM
Monday, August 12, 2019 at Otay Mesa-Nestor Library 4PM
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Hattox Hall (The Old Globe) 6PM

Two River Theater

Benjamin's play Alma was featured as part of Two River Theater's Crossing Borders Festival on Sunday August 4, 2019 at 3pm. The reading was directed by Cat Rodriguez and featured Guadalis Del Carmen and Amandla Jahava.

SPACE on Ryder Farm

Benjamin was granted an Institutional Residency at SPACE on Ryder Farm through the Kennedy Center, where he developed the guatemala play (part 1).

Texas Tech University

Benjamin participated in Texas Tech University's WildWind Performance Lab, where he developed his play In His Hands; or the gay christian play with director Michael Legg and dramaturg Sarah Lunnie.

American Blues Theater

As the 2019 Blue Ink Playwriting Award winner, Alma was presented at American Blues Theater's Blue Ink Festival on June 2nd at 2:30pm in Chicago, IL.

Yale Cabaret

​Alma was presented at the Yale Cabaret on April 25-27, 2019 at 8pm & 11pm. Directed by Cat Rodriguez and starring Ilia Paulino (ALMA) and Ciara McMillian (ANGEL). 
Producer: Eliza Orleans
Scenic Designer: Elsa GibsonBraden
Costume Designer: Phuong Nguyen
Lighting and Projection Designer:
Samuel Kwan Chi Chan
Sound Designer: Marisa Arellano
Technical Director: Jenna Heo
Stage Manager: Zachry J. Bailey

​An article about the production was featured in New Haven Arts.
A review of the production was posted in the New Haven Review.

Boston Court Pasadena

Alma was presented as part of Boston Court Pasadena's 15th Annual New Play Festival on April 13th at 2pm.
Directed by Michelle Bossy, starring Liza Ramirez and Jade Bender, with dramaturgy by Michael Michetti.

History Theatre

neighbors toured schools in Minnesota and had a public presentation at the History Theatre in St. Paul, MN on February 25, 2019 at 7pm. Directed by Signe Harriday.

Remezcla

Benjamin was featured on Remezcla's "8 Of the Most Exciting Latino Playwrights Making Work Right Now" article published on July 9, 2019.

​50 Playwrights Project

50 Playwrights Project has named Alma as one of the top 8 Best Unproduced Latinx Plays 2019 from 85 submissions.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

at the very bottom of a body of water and
​q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits have both been named to Steppenwolf Theatre Company's THE MIX.

Campfire Theatre Festival

What \\Washed Ashore //Astray was featured as part of Campfire Theatre Festival's Staged Reading Series in Boise, ID in September 2018.
Director: Emma Went

Theatre Battery

Alma (or #nowall) was presented as a workshop production at Theatre Battery in Kent, WA. The cast included Anabel Hovig (Alma) and Klarissa Robles (Angel) with direction by Brandon J. Simmons.

Coverage on the play was featured in the Kent Reporter and KNKX, and Benjamin and Artistic Director Logan Ellis were interviewed on the King5 News.

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

#nowall (now titled Alma) was 1 of 8 plays selected from over 1400 submissions for the 2018 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference and was presented in Waterford, CT on July 6 & 7.
​Director: Elena Araoz
Dramaturg: Cat Rodriguez
Actors: Cynthia Bastidas and Andrea Morales
​
An interview with Benjamin about #nowall was featured in The Day.

Monkeybear Harmolodic Workshop

Benjamin's debut puppetry short titled alien observer was featured at Pillsbury House Theatre as part of Monkeybear Harmolodic Workshop's 2018 puppetry showcase on June 29 & 30 performed by Julia Gay.

news

Benjamin was named a finalist for SPACE on Ryder Farm's 2018 Working Farm playwrights group.

Rain City Projects

Terra Incognita was published in Rain City Projects' Manifesto Series Volume 5 edited by Lauren Yee. The release party was held on April 22, 2018 at Seattle Repertory Theatre and is available for purchase on Amazon.

Teatro Milagro

​q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was presented as part of Teatro Milgaro's INGENIO reading series in Portland, OR on April 9, 2018 at 7:00pm.

news

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was named 1 of 8 plays, from a pool of 75 considered, as the "Best Unproduced Latin@/x Plays of 2018" by 50 Playwrights Project.

news

​q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was named 1 of 15 finalists, from a pool of 606 submissions, for the American Blues Theater's 2018 Blue Ink Playwriting Award.

The Playwrights Realm

​
q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was 1 of 3 plays selected from a pool of over 450 submissions for the inaugural Scratchpad Series at The Playwrights Realm.

The workshop culminated in a reading directed by David Mendizábal on on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 3:00pm at 305 W. 38th Street, studio #206 (New Ripley Grier 38th St. spaces).
The cast was Fernando Gonzalez (Milo), Teresa Avia Lim (Zoe), Vivia Font (Mama Fe), Christina Nieves (Tia Netta), and Judith Delgado (La Bruja).

news

Benjamin was named 1 of 16 semifinalists, from a pool of 400 applicants, for the 2018 P73 Playwriting Fellowship.

The Playwrights Center

at the very bottom of a body of water  was presented as a reading following a workshop at The Playwrights' Center on December 8, 2017.
The reading was directed by Marcela Lorca and featured Nora Montañez Patterson, Masanari Kawahara, Momoko Tanno, Cristina Castro, and Julia Gay. ​An interview with Benjamin was posted to The Playwrights' Center website.

news

An excerpt from Benjamin's play #nowall was featured in City Arts Magazine's December 2017 issue.

news

Benjamin is a winner of the 2017 Robert Chesley/Victor Bumbalo Playwriting Award and has been awarded a residency through the Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, NM.

Forward Flux Productions

las mariposas Y los muertos was presented at West of Lenin in Seattle, WA on September 19 – October 7, 2017.
Featuring Original Music and Lyrics by Angela Citlali Vance.
Directed by Pilar O’Connell.
Cast:
ELENA - Sophie Franco
CELESTINA - Jordi Montes
MOLLY - Grace Carmack
NANA - Anabel Hovig
Production Crew:
Assistant Director / Dramaturg - Ana Maria Campoy
Dramaturg - Emily Penick
Music Director / Coach - Jakob Liljenwall
Music Consultant - Kenny Passarelli
Pit Musician (Guitar 2) - Anthony Phillips
Lighting Design - Zanna King
Sound Design - Erin Bednarz
Scenic Design - Jordan Gerow
Scenic Design Assistant - Brandon Riel
Scenic Builder - Stephen Kelsey
Costume / Makeup Design - Fantasia Rose
Puppet Design - Zane Exactly
Stage Manager - Cassandra Thorpe
Marketing - Joe Moore & Catherine Roach
Production Manager - Andy Buffelen
Production Assistant - Haley Bates

A Contemporary Theatre

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was presented as a staged reading as part of the eSe Teatro curated Construction Zone at A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, WA on September 29, 2017.
​The reading was directed by Pilar O'Connell and assistant directed by Gavin Reub.
Cast
MILO - Pablo Lopez
ZOE - Pilar O'Connell
TIA NETTA - Yolanda Suarez
MAMA FE/LA BRUJA - Ana Maria Campoy

interview

with Gemma Wilson about las mariposas Y los muertos in the September 2017 issue of City Arts Magazine. 

Two River Theater

at the very bottom of a body of water  was presented as a staged reading at Two River Theater's 2017 Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival in Red Bank, NJ on Friday, August 4th at 7:30pm.
The reading was directed by Weyni Mengesha.
Cast
MARINA - Adriana Sananes
ROSA LUZ - Liz Ramos
TAISHI - Dave Shih
AMAYA - Anna Ishida
LELA - Teresa Avia Lim

news

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits is the runner-up for Arizona Theatre Company's 2017 National Latino Playwriting Award.

news

Benjamin Benne is a 2017-18 McKnight Fellow in Playwriting at the Playwrights' Center.

interview

​with Trevor Boffone of 50 Playwrights Project.

interview

​with Jelisa Jay Robinson of #TEATROLATINEGRO.

news

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits is a 2017 Bay Area Playwrights Festival finalist (top 25 of over 500 submissions).

news

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits is a 2017 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference finalist (top 55 of 1300 submissions).

interview

​At the PWC this week: Benjamin Benne. The Playwrights' Center interview with 2016-17 Many Voices Fellow Benjamin Benne.

Wild Atlas

The play formerly known as the night, sans stars received its first reading with the new title #nowall with Wild Atlas in Chicago, IL on April 30, 2017.
The reading was directed by Jazmin Corona.
Cast
ALMA - Selene Perez
ANGEL - Avi Roque*
*The role of ANGEL was modified to non-binary for this presentation.
Special thanks to Avi for their guidance in this process.

Pillsbury House Theatre

Benjamin was 1 of 5 playwrights commissioned to write a short play for Pillsbury House Theatre's mainstage production of The Great Divide: Plays for a Broken Nation, which ran from April 19-30, 2017.
Benjamin's play, I Hate To Burst Your Bubble #sorrynotsorry, was included with others by Alan Berks, Christina M. Ham, Katie Ka Vang, and James A. Williams.
The cast was Tracey Maloney, Audrey Park, Mikell Sapp, and Ricardo Vazquez. The production was directed by Ellen Fenster.

news

at the very bottom of a body of water is an Austin Playhouse 2017 New Play Festival finalist (top 10 of 700 submissions).

Upstream Artists' Collective

What \ Washed Ashore / Astray  was presented as part of Upstream Artists' Collective's Elemental Play Reading Series at Jimmy's No. 43 (NYC) on April 2 at 12pm.
The reading was directed by Elena Araoz.
Cast
ANTONIA - Rochelle Slovin
AMELIA - Emily John Mitchell
JAMIE - David Kenner
ANGELICA - Sol Marina Crespo
EMILIO - Fernando Gonzalez

The Joust Theatre Company

q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits was presented as part of The Joust Workshop Series 2017 at Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NYC) on March 31 and April 1 at 7pm.
The workshop was directed by Mayde Alpi.
Cast
MILO - Daniel Anthony Hidalgo
ZOE - Thalia Romina
TIA NETTA - Alessandra Mesa
MAMA FE - Irma Cadiz

Seattle Repertory Theatre

the night, sans stars  received a public reading as part of Seattle Repertory Theatre's The Other Season on February 27, 2017. 
The reading was directed by Kaytlin McIntyre
​with Ana Maria Campoy as Consultant.
Cast
ALMA - Tricia Castaneda-Gonzales
ANGEL - Cessa Betancourt

The Playwrights' Center

the night, sans stars received a public reading on February 1, 2017.
The reading was directed by Hayley Finn.
Dramaturg: Michael Kinghorn
Cast
ALMA - Hope Cervantes
ANGEL - Cristina Castro

news

at the very bottom of a body of water was an American Blues Theater 2017 Blue Ink Playwriting Award semi-finalist (top 25 of 543 submissions).

The Horse in Motion

A dramatic experiment titled Time Expires was presented at The Horse In Motion's IRL Series.  
The subject of the piece is Craiglist: Politics and it was directed by Kaytlin McIntyre.
The VOICES were performed by Kiki Abba, Nic Morden, Sophie Franco, and Bob Williams.
The piece was presented at The Northwest Film Forum (Seattle, WA) on November 18 & 19, 2016.

Forward Flux Productions


las mariposas Y los muertos was presented at The Flux Salon XVI at Casco Antiguo on November 1st, 2016.
The workshop/reading was directed by Pilar O'Connell.
Cast
ELENA - Sophie Franco
CELESTINA - Alaji Marie
MOLLY - Abby Nathan
NANA - Ana Maria Campoy

interview

​X Digital Magazine: Benjamin Benne on cultural appropriation. Forward Flux Productions Artistic Director Wesley Fruge and Flux Salon guest director Pilar O'Connell interview Benjamin Benne about his commissioned play las mariposas Y los muertos that was presented at The Flux Salon XVI.

The Lark Play Development Center

Out of a pool of over 1200 submissions, at the very bottom of a body of water was one of six plays selected for the 23rd Annual Playwrights' Week at The Lark.
​The play was presented as a staged reading on Friday, October 21, 2016.
The workshop/reading was directed by Lisa Rothe
and dramaturged by Gavin Reub.
Cast
MARINA - Adriana Sananes
TAISHI - David Shih
AMAYA - Stacey Yen
ROSA LUZ - Elizabeth Ramos
LELA - Rachel Christopher

interview

​Meet the Writers: Playwrights' Week 2016. Beth Blickers interviews the playwrights (including Benjamin Benne) about their plays selected for Playwrights' Week 2016 at The Lark.

interview

​A Closer Look: Benjamin Benne. Playwright Claire Kiechel interviews Benjamin Benne about his play at the very bottom of a body of water in preparation for Playwrights' Week 2016 at The Lark.

Annex Theatre

 Terra Incognita was produced by Annex Theatre as part of their 29th Season.
It ran from ​July 29 - August 20, 2016.
Directed by Pilar O'Connell
Cast
ANGEL - Eva Estrada Campos
SHEILA - Gretchen Douma
NADIA - Lillian Afful-Straton
X. / SIMON - Jordan-Michael Whidbey
Production Crew
Stage Manager – Andrew Hunter
Production Manager – Catherine Blake Smith
Dramaturg – Gavin Reub
Choreographer -Alyza DelPan-Monley
Scenic Designer – Mary Ann Keeney
Costume Designer – Wanda Rodriguez
Lighting Designer – Ranleigh Starling
Sound Designer – Chris Leher
Sound Design Associate – Shane Regan
Projection Designer – Leo Mayberry
Props and Special Effects Designer – Brendan Mack
Puppet Designer – Ben Burris
Photographer/Poster Design: Shane Regan

interview

​with Katie Woodzich of Theatrical Mustang Podcast.

interview

​with Adam Szymkowicz.

Umbrella Project

at the very bottom of a body of water was presented at the inaugural First Look by Umbrella Project at 12th Avenue Arts in Seattle, WA on July 25, 2016.
The workshop/staged reading was directed by Victor Pappas, dramagturged by Gavin Reub, and produced by Erin Bednarz.
Cast
MARINA - Rose Cano
ROSA LUZ - Sophie Franco
TAISHI - Owen Yen
AMAYA - Corinne Magin
LELA - Shaudi Vahdat

Unexpected Productions

Ben was the featured playwright on July 1 & 2, 2016 for Unexpected Productions' Script Tease.
The script samples utilized were The Unclean Fowl and I Do, Antarctica, I Do.
The director was Catherine Blake Smith.
The ensemble of actors was:
Tony Beeman
David Bestock
Ashley Flannegan
Jana Hutchison
James Katica
Elicia Wickstead

Parley

​TRUMP'D was presented as a workshop production by Parley at West of Lenin in Seattle, WA on May 17, 2016.
The reading was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth, Founder/Artistic Director of Parley.
Cast
ALMA - Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth
ANGELINDA/YOUNG ALMA - Fawn Ledesma
DON/PATRON - Joe Ivey
MIKE - Brandon Collinsworth
Poster design by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.
Photos by Heather Posten.

Forward Flux Productions

Ben participated in the 21-day artist residency, collaborate:create.  He wrote a piece titled Doris that was performed by Chelsea DuVall. The performance shared space with an art installation called "Confessional Elixirs" by Elise Koncsek and Jesse Card.
 The art exhibition took place at Fremont Abbey on April 20, 2016.

Playing In Progress

Ben wrote a short  [untitled]  play that was featured in Playing in Progress' production of SnowGlobed 5.0.
The show ran December 4 - 19, 2015 at West of Lenin (Seattle, WA).
The show was directed by Emily Penick.
Cast
THE TREE - Maximillian Davis
THE STRANGER - Shane Regan
The show received a recommendation from The Stranger.
Additionally, in the lobby, were two visual art pieces by Keiko Green and James Price that were inspired by Ben's play.

Theatre Battery


​Ben participated in Theatre Battery's Sleep Is For The Weak III.
He received the challenge to write an adaptation of an existing story that has not been told through theater at 8pm on December 11, 2015.
He adapted Julio Cortazar's short story, The Night Face Up.
The final presentation was at Theatre Battery in Kent on December 12, 2015 at 8:00pm.
Team
​Elijah Ostrow (director)
Meredith Binder (ensemble)
Max Jones (ensemble)
Gilly Kelleher (ensemble)
Maizy Perdue (ensemble)

Theatre Battery

The full-length version of q u e r e n c i a was workshopped and presented as a staged reading as part of Theatre Battery's Battery Powered Series in Kent, WA on July 26, 2015.
The reading was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.
Cast
TIA (ANTOI)NETTA - Anabel Hovig
MAMA FE(LICIA) - Kristina Petrosyan
ZOE - Amber Hughes
MILO - Benjamin Benne*
*The role of Milo was workshopped by Matt Aguayo and read by Benjamin Benne on the day of the presentation.

Parley

All Ye Faithful was presented as a workshop production by Parley at West of Lenin in Seattle, WA on July 6, 2015.
The reading was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth, Founder/Artistic Director of Parley.
Cast
THE PASTOR - Ronnie Allen
THE PASTOR'S WIFE - Anabel Hovig
THE PASTOR'S DAUGHTER - Fawn Ledesma
THE OTHER WOMAN - Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth
Poster design by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.
Photos by Heather Posten.

Forward Flux Productions


​Ben had two pieces featured as part of the collaborate:create art exhibition at Fremont Abbey on May 6, 2015:
Play/War, a ten-minute play produced by Parley, and Ascension, a dramatic poem, directed by Emma Watt and performed by butoh dancer Sheri Brown and actor Anthony Phillips.
Read a blog article about the event that highlights Ascension.

Northwest Playwrights Alliance

The ten-minute play, the dream of honey (fades), was featured as part of Northwest Playwrights Alliance Reading Series at Seattle Repertory Theatre on February 10, 2015 at 7pm.
The reading was directed by Evan Tucker.
Cast
HOMBRE - Erwin Galan
MUCHACO - Matt Aguayo

Eclectic Theatre

The short play, Blood / Flower, was featured as part of Eclectic Theater's 3rd Annual One-Act Play Fest on June 26 & 27, 2014.
The play was written and directed by Benjamin Benne.
Cast
ROSA - Anabel Hovig
GLORIA - Margaret VandenBerghe

Seattle Fringe Festival

Recipient of the Spirit of the Fringe Award.
q u e r e n c i a: an imagined autobiography about forbidden fruits made its debut in one-act form at the 2014 Seattle Fringe Festival.
This world premiere production was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth, Founder/Artistic Director of Parley, at Gay City's Calamus Auditorium.
Cast
MILO - Matt Aguayo
ZOE - Pilar O'Connell
TIA (ANTOI)NETTA - Anabel Hovig
Poster design and production photos by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.
Capitol Hill Seattle Blog published an article featuring an interview with the playwright.

Drybones Artist Collective

Terra Incognita was mounted as a staged reading produced by Drybones Artist Collective at Shoreline Community College
in Shoreline, WA on August 14, 2014.
The reading was directed by Megan Becker, Founder/Artistic Director of Drybones Artist Collective.
Cast
ANGEL - Anabel Hovig
SHEILA - Margaret VandenBerghe
NADIA - Lillian Afful
SIMON/X. - Anthony Simmons
Poster design by Katy Hagelin.
Poster photo by Cara Romanik.
Rehearsal photos taken by Lillian Afful.

Forward Flux Productions

What \ Washed Ashore / Astray was presented as a staged reading by Forward Flux Productions in Seattle, WA on July 22, 2014.
The reading was directed by Wesley Fruge, Artistic Director of Forward Flux Productions.
Cast
ANTONIA - Priscilla Lauris
AMELIA - Suzy Hunt
ANGELICA - Tanesha Ross
EMILIO - Justin Huertas
JAMIE - Jared Michael Brown
Poster design by Wesley Fruge.
Photos taken by J Reese.

Parley

at the very bottom of a body of water was presented as a staged reading by Parley at the Center House Theatre in Seattle, WA ​on June 16, 2014.
The reading was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth, Founder/Artistic Director of Parley.
Cast
MARINA - Anabel Hovig
LELA & ROSA LUZ - Fawn Ledesma
SIOBHAN - Amy Baldwin
LITTLE FISH - Ryan Fields
TAISHI - Christian Ver
AMAYA - Kathy Hsieh
Graphic design by Stephanie Olson.
Photos taken by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.

Foundry: A Home For New Work

The ten-minute play, the dream of honey (fades), was presented as part of Foundry: A Home For New Work's inaugural event in Chicago, IL on May 26, 2014.
The reading was directed by Braden Coucher.
Cast
HOMBRE - Ryan Tang
MUCHACHO - Remy Ortiz

One-Minute Play Festival

The one-minute plays Alegria (directed by Jose Amador) and Alchemy (directed by Teresa Thuman) were presented as part of The 1st Seattle One-Minute Play Festival at ACT: A Contemporary Theatre
on May 10-11, 2014.
Watch a recording of the festival on HowlRound TV.

Freehold Theatre

An excerpt from at the very bottom of a body of water was presented as part of Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio's INCUBATOR series in Seattle, WA
on March 27-30, 2014.
The scene was directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth.
Cast
MARINA - Anabel Hovig
ROSA LUZ - Fawn Ledesma