Ben was born to an upstanding Mormon family in 1978 in Kansas City, Missouri. At age 7
his family made the popular Mormon trek to Utah. Yep, Utah. He enjoyed the normal
childhood activities: Tee-Ball, swimming lessons, Cub Scouts, ice fishing and panning for
gold, you know, the usual. At age 9 something wonderful happened. Through a local
childrens choir Ben auditioned for a community theater production of FAUNTLEROY (a
world premiere musical based on Little Lord Fauntleroy.) Well wouldn’t you know he
landed the title role (now would not be an inappropriate time to applaud wildly into your
computer screen). Thus he was bitten by the proverbial acting bug. He enjoyed a tween
life full of community theater success..playing such wildly inappropriate roles as
Ebenezer Scrooge, Don Quixote, and a hoe-down dancing Gollum. Perhaps his favorite
production of this era was “Children of the Universe” in which he played ‘Sector 1’ the
leader of a tribe of space aged do-gooders. It’s hard to say if it was his ground breaking
performance that caught peoples eye or his shiny, mint green, sweet-heart necked
unitard. Either way, the student body of Canyon View Junior High school was abuzz. High
school held more exciting discoveries. Most notably…JAZZ DANCE (see “A day of jazz
dance” for more details). Like so many high-schoolers before him, Ben began to
contemplate his future.
In 1996, a bright eyed, argyle clad Ben arrived in New York City. He had managed to nab a scholarship to the American Musical
and Dramatic Academy and he was excited. He dived into the pace and excitement of NYC with both feet. After 2 months and
some sneaky auditioning Ben booked his first NY gig. He left school and hit the road in the one nighter touring production of “The
Who’s TOMMY”. Next stop Europe!!!! Ben took off to join “Fame-The Musical” After a year Ben returned to the states a little more
worldly wise, a lot more professional, and maybe just a little out of the closet. Continuing his whirlwind tour of tours Ben hopped
onto the national tour of “State Fair”. Not only did Ben get to don a a tap-dancing cow costume, he earned his equity card. While
filling out his equity membership paperwork, Ben, as prompted, entered his first name, middle initial and last name. Thus making
his professional name “BEN D” Cameron. Which of course suggests that he was an acrobat or contortionist of some sort…being
neither of these things he had his name changed back to simply “Ben”. The nickname of “Ben D (pronounced Bendy)” sticks with
him to this day..but please do not ask him to bend in half or do the splits as these are skills he has lost over time. He regrets any
confusion or disappointment this may cause. Where are we?…..ah yes…Broadway calling.
Broadway called in early 1998 and a thrilled Ben D was offered a swing position in the original Broadway company of “Footloose”.
Shortly after Footloose opened in New York, Ben decided to pack his bags again and join the 1st national touring production of
“Footloose”, this time onstage and as a dance captain. After touring, Ben rejoined the Broadway company for its last 6 weeks.
Fresh off the “Footloose” closing Ben headed down south to perform in “Tommy” at Houstons Theater Under the Stars. Sidebar: if
you find yourself performing a musical outdoors in 104 degree heat, be sure to hydrate…and no, tequila does not count as a
hydratalas all good things must come to an end. In 2006 Ben left “Wicked” to hit the road once more, playing several roles. in the
national production of “Sweet Charity”. Ben not only got some nifty reviews for this one, but he got to kiss Molly Ringwald a
bunch. Ben does not believe in kissing nor telling but if he did he’d say “Wowza”.
Ben D returned to New York in 2007. He is currently the creator/host of “Broadway Sessions w/ Ben D” at The Laurie Beechman
Theater. He also hosts Mostly Sondheim at The Duplex,(for which he and his co hosts were nominated for a 2011 MAC award), The
Broken Leg Podcast and Onstage NY talent competitions.
his family made the popular Mormon trek to Utah. Yep, Utah. He enjoyed the normal
childhood activities: Tee-Ball, swimming lessons, Cub Scouts, ice fishing and panning for
gold, you know, the usual. At age 9 something wonderful happened. Through a local
childrens choir Ben auditioned for a community theater production of FAUNTLEROY (a
world premiere musical based on Little Lord Fauntleroy.) Well wouldn’t you know he
landed the title role (now would not be an inappropriate time to applaud wildly into your
computer screen). Thus he was bitten by the proverbial acting bug. He enjoyed a tween
life full of community theater success..playing such wildly inappropriate roles as
Ebenezer Scrooge, Don Quixote, and a hoe-down dancing Gollum. Perhaps his favorite
production of this era was “Children of the Universe” in which he played ‘Sector 1’ the
leader of a tribe of space aged do-gooders. It’s hard to say if it was his ground breaking
performance that caught peoples eye or his shiny, mint green, sweet-heart necked
unitard. Either way, the student body of Canyon View Junior High school was abuzz. High
school held more exciting discoveries. Most notably…JAZZ DANCE (see “A day of jazz
dance” for more details). Like so many high-schoolers before him, Ben began to
contemplate his future.
In 1996, a bright eyed, argyle clad Ben arrived in New York City. He had managed to nab a scholarship to the American Musical
and Dramatic Academy and he was excited. He dived into the pace and excitement of NYC with both feet. After 2 months and
some sneaky auditioning Ben booked his first NY gig. He left school and hit the road in the one nighter touring production of “The
Who’s TOMMY”. Next stop Europe!!!! Ben took off to join “Fame-The Musical” After a year Ben returned to the states a little more
worldly wise, a lot more professional, and maybe just a little out of the closet. Continuing his whirlwind tour of tours Ben hopped
onto the national tour of “State Fair”. Not only did Ben get to don a a tap-dancing cow costume, he earned his equity card. While
filling out his equity membership paperwork, Ben, as prompted, entered his first name, middle initial and last name. Thus making
his professional name “BEN D” Cameron. Which of course suggests that he was an acrobat or contortionist of some sort…being
neither of these things he had his name changed back to simply “Ben”. The nickname of “Ben D (pronounced Bendy)” sticks with
him to this day..but please do not ask him to bend in half or do the splits as these are skills he has lost over time. He regrets any
confusion or disappointment this may cause. Where are we?…..ah yes…Broadway calling.
Broadway called in early 1998 and a thrilled Ben D was offered a swing position in the original Broadway company of “Footloose”.
Shortly after Footloose opened in New York, Ben decided to pack his bags again and join the 1st national touring production of
“Footloose”, this time onstage and as a dance captain. After touring, Ben rejoined the Broadway company for its last 6 weeks.
Fresh off the “Footloose” closing Ben headed down south to perform in “Tommy” at Houstons Theater Under the Stars. Sidebar: if
you find yourself performing a musical outdoors in 104 degree heat, be sure to hydrate…and no, tequila does not count as a
hydratalas all good things must come to an end. In 2006 Ben left “Wicked” to hit the road once more, playing several roles. in the
national production of “Sweet Charity”. Ben not only got some nifty reviews for this one, but he got to kiss Molly Ringwald a
bunch. Ben does not believe in kissing nor telling but if he did he’d say “Wowza”.
Ben D returned to New York in 2007. He is currently the creator/host of “Broadway Sessions w/ Ben D” at The Laurie Beechman
Theater. He also hosts Mostly Sondheim at The Duplex,(for which he and his co hosts were nominated for a 2011 MAC award), The
Broken Leg Podcast and Onstage NY talent competitions.
