Introducing Ben – Phamaly’s New Artistic Director

On May 17th, Phamaly will welcome Ben Ranaan as the company's incoming Artistic Director! Ben will work alongside the current Artistic Director, Regan Linton, and Phamaly staff through June 11th, when Regan will transition out of the role and Ben will officially take the helm. We are so excited to continue the legacy of bold artistic vision as we transition between these artistic leaders, and we invite you to join us in welcoming Ben to the Phamaly family! 

Get to Know Ben Raanan - Phamaly's New Artistic Director

Ben Raanan is a disabled theatre-maker and advocate originally hailing from Chicago, Illinois. His artistic focus is centralized around creating artistically rigorous theatre with, for, and about the disabled community. Ben received his BFA from Drake University with a concentration in directing/musical theatre and his MFA in directing from DePaul University. In between, Ben spent five years at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as a Director of Education and Outreach, where he retooled the theatre’s educational offerings to focus on accessibility and inclusion for those with disabilities. Some of his favorite directing credits include: Macbeth (Spectrum Shakespeare), Antigone: Born Against, Eleemosynary, Bob: A Life In Five Acts, Crumble: Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati) Mockingbird (Falcon Theatre) Falling, King Oedipus, I & You (The Theatre School at DePaul University.) He is beyond thrilled to join the family at Phamaly and looks forward to continuing the legacy of its storied history.

1) As a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
The artistic director of a disability-centric theatre…………

2) What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Total Eclipse of the Heart! By Bonnie Tyler

3) What is the first theatrical production you remember attending?
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond

4) Is there anything you wished would come back into fashion?
Cargo Shorts…I don’t understand what is so wrong about having more pockets!

5) If you lived in space for a year what are the 3 movies you would take with you?
Jurassic Park, The Godfather, Gone in 60 Seconds

6) What message do you want to share with the Phamaly Family? 
As a disabled theatre artist, I always revered Phamaly Theatre Company. In accepting this position, I cannot stress the magnitude of what it means to be asked to serve the theatre's audience, staff, and artists. Phamaly's history centers around community, and it is the continued strength of that community that will lead us to the next chapter for Phamaly. I want to meet you  - virtually at first but hopefully in person soon. I want to hear your stories, hopes, and dreams. Together, we will continue to grow this theatre company and add to its colossal legacy.