MY MANIFESTO, AS I MOVE FORWARD IN MY CAREER, IS TO HELP OTHERS WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHO HAVE THAT SPARK OF POTENTIAL. TO REMEMBER MY JOURNEY AND TO KEEP TELLING STORIES THAT RESONATE WITH ME.

Qualifications

MA Drama Directing Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Attending

Graduated MT Bodywork Dance Studio, Cambridge 1999-2002

BTEC Performing Arts Kings Lynn College 1997

Current Employment

Guest tutor Bristol School of Acting

Guest Director Cheltenham Youth Theatre

Co-Director Over the coals Theatre Company

Previous Employment

Assistant to the Director “I am Judah” Film Documentary, Bashart Malik - 2022

Director “Long sleeves” Circle theatre, Zed Alley - 2022

Fight Choreographer / Movement Director BSA Productions - 2019-2021

Movement Director Short Film Tern to the sun - 2018

Director Lady Macbeth, Southwest Dance Theatre Company, Colston Hall - 2016

Producer Arnolfini, 30-year Anniversary Wild Bunch, Phil Owen - 2015

Associate Artist for Theatre and Dance Travelling Light Youth Theatre - 2015

Choreographer main role, AKASE Rust Promo, James Ward - 2014

Co-Director “Notification” at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Studio Space - 2014

Director “Deliveryman” Theatre Company 57, at the Island - 2014

Director kids show at Shambala Festival - 2013 - 2018

Event Director / Coordinator BBOY TV, Grandmasters Comp+ festivals - 2013 to Present

Lead Dance Tutor Ashfield Prison Pucklechurch - 2009-2012

Young persons Mentor Break Through Project - 2008-2012

Projects co-ordinator / Associate Artist, Kingswood Foundation now CYN - 2007-2012

Set up and ran my own dance school - 2004-2007

Assistant Director, Production Savage, Stratford Circus, London - 2004

Choreographer, Midsummer Night’s Dream, University of East Anglia - 2003

Choreographer & Movement Director, Mein Heir, On Tour - 2003

Director, Producer, and writer “Dear to die”. (End of year showcase) - 1998

Fight Scenes Director, King Lear Production (college production) - 1997

While at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - 2021-2022

Assistant Director Loam Directed by Marcus Romer

Director “Bull” written by Mike Bartlett at the Wardrobe Theatre

Director “777” Radio Play, Written by Carly M Toller

Assistant to the Director / Movement Director short film “Prang” Director Emily Smith

Movement AD “Last Days of Judas Iscariot” Director Nik Partridge

Testimonials

Emily Smith

Ben was an invaluable assistant director on The Prang short film. Throughout preproduction, Ben understood the flexible nature of the assistant director role.

Ben had a very professional and capable rehearsal approach. In the room, he was very present. Whenever I asked him for his input he was quick to offer his critical perspective on a scene, always delivered with a lightness and sensitivity for the actors. As an assistant Ben had a nuanced appreciation of how and when to give input.

He intelligently reflected on the challenging nature of devising pared-back dialogue for film and was fascinated by the different languages of stage and screen.

Ben’s strengths in movement direction were such an asset to the creation of the film. For each scene during rehearsals, Ben provided support to the actors by mapping out their physical journey. He ran body tension exercises, which helped them quickly transform their physical state. The script required the actors to be increasingly inebriated over the course of the story. Ben’s dance direction brought this anarchy and chaos in the character's world to life beautifully. Ben was also able to work on the combat moments with the cast, and choreographed thoughtfully, keeping the actors safe. 

On set for the shoot, Ben was a great support to the team. He liaised with the designer about props on the day and maintained good attention to detail. Running the dance choreography in a small sitting room space, Ben ran a careful technical rehearsal with the actors and build up to the confident physical performance they gave on camera. Ben gave clear notes on blocking, was responsive to what he saw on the monitor, and how to hone the shape of a scene for the camera. He is a quick learner and was alert to what each member of the crew was focused on.

Marcus Romer

Ben is a very detailed text practitioner. Really probing the actors with the questions that help them to unlock their choices. He is a calm, thoughtful, generous, and grounded director with a really sensitive and well-attuned emotional intelligence. He also recognizes when an actor hasn’t done the work required and will be straight with them about it. He can be clear and firm when needed – but always fair and with kindness. This makes him a really strong director who can be trusted by writers, actors, and the whole production team.