BENJAMIN BROWNSON

(he/him)

FOUNDER, ENSEMBLE & BOARD MEMBER

Benjamin founded Broken Nose Theatre in 2012 and served as the company’s artistic director for its first six seasons. Highlights during his tenure include: co-creating and co-curating Bechdel Fest, BNT’s annual feminist short play festival; the company’s adoption of an all Pay-What-You-Can ticketing model, making quality theatre economically accessible for all audiences; a producer and actor in 2017’s critically acclaimed hit At The Table and its sold-out summer remount; and the company receiving the prestigious Emerging Theatre Award from Broadway in Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres. Though he remains an active member of the ensemble, Ben stepped down as BNT’s artistic director in 2018 to pursue his passion for travel, spending five months exploring fourteen countries while circumnavigating the globe. Since returning to the City of Big Shoulders, he continues to be engaged with the BNT and the Chicago theatre community as an artist and Board Member. Ben holds an MA in the Humanities from the University of Chicago, and is the former Director of Programs for Leadership Greater Chicago, the region’s premiere civic leadership organization. He currently works as a project manager and consultant with the national consulting firm Morten Group, a multiracial, cross-generational group dedicated to social change and transforming organizations through assessment, education, and action.

DIRECTOR

Bechdel Fest 8: Realign (“A Mid-Pandemic’s Night’s Stream”)
The Paper Trail: Billy to His Friends
Human Terrain
Bechdel Fest 3: Find Your Voice (“Kodak Shirley”)
Bechdel Fest 2: The Healing Process (“So Soon Forgotten”)
My First Time: The Remount
ROOMS: a rock romance
My First Time

ACTOR

Labyrinth (Philip)
The Paper Trail: Ninety-Nine (Multiple Characters)
At The Table Summer Remount (Leif)
At The Table (Leif)

PLAYWRIGHT

Bechdel Fest 6: Revolution (“Taking a (One Night) Stand”)
Stilwater Staged Reading
Bechdel Fest 1 (“Breaking Into Memory Lane”)
Beautiful Broken

PRODUCTION TEAM

At The Table (Production Manager)
Bechdel Fest 7 – 8 (Co-Creator)
Bechdel Fests 1 – 6 (Co-Creator and Co-Curator)