Ben Holbrook is a Brooklyn-based (originally from NC) playwright, filmmaker, and creator of digital and live experiences whose works have been produced, developed, or commissioned by: Fundamental Theater Project, Ruddy Productions, The Samuel French OOB Festival, The Mercury Store, The New York International Fringe Festival, The Memphis Fringe Festival, The Motor Company, Wildwind Performance Lab, Voices of the South (TN), Ugly Rhino(LA), Seoul Players (SK), Holiday House, Find the Light (LA), The Irish Arts Council, 45th Street Block Association, and Paper Lantern Theatre Company (NC). His films have been seen at the Big Apple Film Festival, The Imaginarium Convention, The Comedy of Horrors Festival, The Sickest Short Films Festival, and The Films Open Mic Festival. He’s been awarded the Williamstown Theatre Festival Residency, Edward Albee Foundation fellowship, the Drama League Rough Draft Residency (partnering with Sam Underwood), Fresh Ground Pepper’s Playground Playgroup Residency, The New Concepts Theatre Lab at UNC-Greensboro, Magic Time at Judson Church, he is the inaugural recipient of the Peter Shaffer Award for Excellence in Playwriting, and a winner of the 47th Samuel French OOB Short Play Festival.
Also a budding futurist, Ben Holbrook enjoys exploring our futures from a mythological perspective in his writing, but has also worked with Extrapolation Factory, a design based research studio for participatory futures studies, to create pieces for The Ford Motor Company, Walker Art Center, and (currently) Ikea’s Space 10. Ben is the co-owner of Full Metal Workshop, an LLC that creates web based experiences, both original and for clients.
User Agreement (2021): Set in the near future. Sy and Theo, two souls, potentially soul mates, attempt to navigate their bond in a world enhanced by the wonders of technology, AI, and the occasional talking octopus. Building a relationship based on good music, deep conversation, and strong boundaries feels natural to them, but their beautiful bond finds itself struggling against a world turned upside down by the demons of human nature and the need for capital, causing them to wonder if, in a society designed to be more complex and visible than ever, it is possible for two simple souls to truly connect. Developed with The Shelter NYC and then taken down to The WildWind Performance Lab at Texas Tech for further development with their students and Kennedy Center fellows. Received public readings with both institutions.
The Church of the First Order of Cloud City…(2018): The citizens of Cloud City, a floating city and the peak of human ingenuity, have gathered to worship the cloud, just like every other Sunday, or so they think. Complications and hilarity ensue when the congregation of the first order of Cloud City are joined by dissatisfied citizens, dissenting robots, and a bunch of mutant ding dongs from the “Underworld”. Join our congregation as the Church of the First Order of Cloud City celebrates its inaugural unification service. An immersive science fiction musical church experience developed with Nate Weida (composer) as a part of Fresh Ground Pepper’s Playground Playgroup. Received staged readings at Fresh Ground Pepper Festival and Magic Time at Judson Church.
“Myth Called Picnic” by Nate Weida from “…Cloud City…”
Ghost on the Black Gulf (2018): It’s 2010 on the Mississippi coast and Aenid, her son, Percy, and her adopted mother Mémé find their entire way of life disrupted by the oil spill that poisons everything it touches. Soon, the pressures on their lives increase, as insurmountable forces, both natural and supernatural, seep into their lives, in this meditation on family, greed, social structures, and subversion. Developed at UNC-Greensboro’s New Concepts Theatre Lab. Has received 1 public reading
Goddess of the Wine Dark Sea (2017): ” I’d like to tell you another tale of love and war and the struggles we mortals must suffer through. This time, it’s Achilles, the Goddess born son of the sea, rolling in the night with his lovers Patroclus and Briseis, as the Trojan War rages on outside of their camp. When the war, however, forces Achilles into the light, he and soon she, must decide for herself, her place and legacy in this vast time fluid, gender fluid, sexuality fluid world of gods and monsters.” -Tiresias Developed at the Drama League Rough Draft Residency and the Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship. Given public readings at the Dramatist Guild and NC State University.
Sinners on a Southbound Bus (2016): Set during a late night bus ride on a warm, misty Alabama night, “Sinners on a Southbound Bus” is a dramatic/comedic meditation on fear, morality, and the ghosts we leave behind. When Trudy, a quick-thinking young woman, finds herself in the presence of the rash, charismatic Morgan and his more stoic associate, Silas, she sees an opportunity to alleviate some of her boredom on the long, hot bus ride to Dothan. The pleasant conversation, however, takes an ominous turn after an encounter with the police reveals that the two men share a dark, potentially violent secret, which could place every passenger in danger. Trudy, nevertheless, still sees the good in Morgan and, through their budding friendship, finds a connection that forces him to face demons that make every mile more dangerous and every confrontation more volatile, as they head towards their inevitable destination. Developed with Ruddy Productions. 10 minute version was first produced at the Ruddy New Works Festival, later given a production at Yeolim Hall for the Seoul Players’ 10 minute play festival in Seoul, SK. The full length version was first produced at the NY International Fringe Festival and was reviewed as a “Best Bet” and a “Fringe Fave”. Later fully produced at University of Memphis and again at Voices of the South for the Memphis Fringe Festival.
The Whale and the Dog Star (2014): Henry Wilder is supposed to be suffering alone, sitting at his desk, poring over the data streaming from the massive radio telescope over his head. Henry Wilder cannot suffer alone, however, for he is surrounded by weirdos—weirdos with dreams, dysfunctions, and academic distinctions of their own. So Henry, his band of astrophysicists, and a janitor burdened with a god complex suffer together as they navigate love, loss, villainous TV dinners, depressed astronauts, star men, and a lost whale floating alone through the cosmos. What emerges is “The Whale and the Dog Star,” a piece of theater that is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, hilarious and thought-provoking. First public reading at the Mass Rhetoric New Works Festival, Winner of the Peter Shaffer Award, developed and fully produced by Fundamental Theater Project. Featured on New Play Exchange’s best plays about astronomy. The book version can be purchased here, or most online book retailers.
Jarielle Whitney and Jamaal Anthony in ‘Chemistry’
ONE ACTS
This is a Relic (2021): details coming soon…
Oracular Recall (2019): Join 3 divine sisters as they embody several generations, all observing this moment in time from the past, present, and future, while the audience samples dishes and herbs, which provoke their memories. Over the corse of 25 minutes, they playfully examine gentrification, climate change, and learning to love problematic loved ones in this meditation on time, community, our senses, and changing perspectives. Oracular Recall was commissioned and developed by The Motor Company and made its debut at the 2019 Communal Spaces Festival in NYC.
Jaz Astwood in Oracular Recall
Chemistry (2018): Jojo has a new job! She’s taken it upon herself to memorize and deliver messages in her cozy Brooklyn neighborhood. One message, however, finds her engaging in a fascinating conversation with Thad, which ranges from love, to sex, to chemicals, in this short one act. Chemistry was commissioned and developed by The Motor Company and made it’s debut at the 2018 Laundryfest.
THEATER PRODUCTION HISTORY
Oracular Recall Trilogy (collection of one acts) — 2019, 2021
“Oracular Recall” and “This is a Relic”. Two 30 minute, one act, immersive, multimedia theatre productions, fully commissioned and produced by the Motor Company for their Communal Spaces Festivals in 2019 and 2021. Third piece yet to be written.
Averi Israel and Lauren T. Mack in “This is a Relic”
Sinners on a Southbound Bus (full length) — NYC, 2016, 2018
Full length one act given full production at the Kraine Theater by Ruddy Productions for the 2016 New York International Fringe Festival. Reviewed as a “Best Bet” by Theatre is Easy, extended as a “Fringe Fave” (due to having the highest sales and reviews in its venue). Additional production at the Memphis Fringe Festival in 2018 at Voices of the South. A film version is currently under option with Strange Orbit Films.
The Whale and the Dog Star (full length) — NYC, 2013, 2016, 2018
Official selection for Fundamental Theater Project’s Mass Rhetoric New Works Festival (2013). Also given a produced stage reading as a part of the Peter Shaffer Award ceremony at Symphony Space (2016). World premiere (full production) at Alchemical Theatre Lab 2018. Available for purchase.
Peter Shaffer award ceremony.
The Virtue of the French Broom (one act) – LA, 2016
One act play written for/given full production by “Find the Light”. An immersive theatre experience, focusing on experiences in mental health, performed in LA.
A Swing of the Axe (or The Consequences of Nihilism) (one act) — LA, 2015
One act play written for/performed and produced by Ugly Rhino (LA) for Tiny Rhino.
Sanctuary Park (produced reading) — NYC, 2014
One act play commissioned by the Irish Arts Council and the West 45th St Block Association. Given a produced reading at Matthews Palmer Park in Hell’s Kitchen.
The Clockwork King (one act) — NC, 2014, NYC 2017
One act play selected for Paper Lantern Theatre’s “Get Your Fright On” night of staged readings. Performed in Triad Stage’s UpStage Cabaret. Later produced for Fundamental Theater Project’s Plays, Pints & Party!: Fright Night
Alone With Friends(one act)— NYC, 2013
One act play commissioned for and given full production at the 2013 Holiday House by Fundamental Theater Project.
Land’s End(reading) — NYC, 2013
Full length play reading for Fundamental Theater Project’s Think Tank series.
Turkey (one act), Holiday House — NYC, 2012
One act play given full production at the 2012 Holiday House by Fundamental Theater Project.
Sam Underwood and Spencer Aste in “Turkey”
Nectar(one act available in English & Spanish) — NYC, 2012
One act play performed for Fundamental Theater Project’s Play n’ a Pint series.
Wind Pipe(one act) — NYC, 2011
One act play directed and produced by Bruce Ornstein at the Roy Arias Payan Theater.
Michael Coppola, Katie Healy, and Nabil Traboulsi in “Sinners on a Southbound Bus” at the NY Fringe.
Ben’s films have been seen at the Big Apple Film Festival, The Imaginarium Convention, The Comedy of Horrors Festival, The Sickest Short Films Festival, and The Films Open Mic Festival. His recent adaptation of his play “Sinners on a Southbound Bus” has been placed under option by Swedish production company Strange Orbit Films.
Currently: Ben is working on a new pilot script. Feel free to inquire about details.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Multimedia: Kepler’s Ark (2021) Follow the saga of the ISS Life Preserver and it’s brilliant crew of space-faring weirdos, as they embark on a mission to terraform and populate new worlds. Their mission, however, is thrown off course when someone starts toying with the ship’s genetic material, creating 36 new, unique, and often intelligent species. What begins as a routine mission with the most qualified crew in the universe, transforms into a jungle of beautiful oddities, bizarre behavior, cosmic anomalies, and caterpillar assassination plots in this sci-fi comedy created by Ben Holbrook and directed by Andrew Scoville. Kepler’s Ark was originally commissioned by The Sheen Center in 2016, but was eventually bought back and released by Ben’s company, Full Metal Workshop.
Theatre Immaterial (2021) A result of quarantine, “Theatre Immaterial” is an experiment in imaginative inner theatre. Our audio play, masquerading as a guided meditation seeks to relax and stimulate its audience’s minds through vivid imagery and suggestive soundscapes. Theatre Immaterial made it’s debut at the 2021 Exponential Festival.
