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Ben is a PhD candidate in Theatre & Performance Studies at CU �鶹ӰԺ. He graduated from CU with his MA in Theatre & Performance Studies in 2022 and has been a busy beaver ever since. 

Ben is currently writing his doctoral dissertation on a series of improv workshops for relieving climate anxiety he facilitated at the University of Iowa, CU �鶹ӰԺ, and a summer school program in Berlin in which he answers the question: "what are strategies for facilitating improvisational workshops aimed toward relieving climate anxiety?" His research is situated at the intersection of improvisational pedagogy, emergent strategy, queer futurity, and climate communications.  He expects to graduate in May '25.

While at CU, Ben has worked as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor and has taught courses on Improvisation (3 years running), American Musical Theatre History, Theatre & Society, and Acting 1. He has TA’d for various others through the departments of Theatre & Dance and Environmental Studies. He co-taught Creative Climate Communications with his advisor, Beh Osnes, and Head of Environmental Studies, Max Boykoff, 2 years in a row.

Ben has received two fully funded research trips to participate in summer school programs through the European organization, SHiFT COST Action. He went to Lisbon, Portugal as a student in 2023 and was invited back as a trainer for 2024's session in Berlin, Germany.

Ben had his book review on "Lighting the Way: An Anthology of Short Plays about the Climate Crisis" published in the book Text & Presentation, 2021 and has a chapter undergoing edits in the forthcoming book Imagining, designing and teaching regenerative futures—creative approaches and inspirations from around the world published by Science for Sustainable Societies, Springer Nature.

A few other highlights from graduate school include: 

·         co-producing and directing two stand-up comedy shows about climate change

·         co-leading a social justice oriented improv workshop at the American Educational Research Association’s 2023 conference

·         directing the closing ceremony for the “Right Here Right Now Global UN Climate Summit” hosted by CU �鶹ӰԺ

·         traveling to New York City, London, Lisbon, and Berlin as a graduate researcher

·         serving as artistic director for Climate Cabaret – a theatrical collaboration between CU �鶹ӰԺ's Dept. of Theatre & Dance and New York City's Climate Change Theatre Action

·         an ongoing contributor to Side by Side – an interspecies collaboration with “Inside the Greenhouse” and recipient of a 2-million-dollar National Science Foundation grant.

·         Co-convening the working group “Climate Futurity through a Queer and Indigenous Lens” for the 2023 American Society for Theatre Research conference and accepted for the 2024 conference

In addition to being a very serious graduate student, Ben also works as a theatrical director in the �鶹ӰԺ community having directed shows at Fairview High School, Parlando School of Musical Arts, and CU �鶹ӰԺ. As well as coaching private acting classes through Parlando. 

Ben graduated with his BFA in Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Ben continues to work as a professional actor. Selected credits include: Off-Broadway: Harry in When Harry Met Nancy (New York New Works Festival). Regional theatre: Tom Doerr in Stonewall (Benchmark Theatre), Tito/Beppo in A Comedy of Tenors (Okoboji Summer Theatre), The Narrator in The Soldier's Tale (�鶹ӰԺ Philharmonic), The Genie in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular (Disney Cruise Line), Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Henry Etches in Titanic (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Zach in A Chorus Line, Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret, Fred in A Christmas Carol (The Palace Theatre), Father in Ragtime (Interlakes Summer Theatre) Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret (Sierra Repertory Theatre), The Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical (Highland Summer Theatre). 

Ben is filled with more questions than answers these days...which feels just about right for grad school.