Ben Tonks

about photo

About Me

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Ben developed a profound passion for theatre at an early age, captivated by his father's direction of high school productions in the Woodford County High School cafeteria. This initial spark flourished into a deep commitment to the performing arts as he attended the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA), where he immersed himself in theatrical studies for nine years.

As his tenure at SCAPA drew to a close, Ben's dedication and understanding of the craft only intensified, prompting him to further his education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. During his four years at Belmont, he majored in Theatre and Creative Entertainment Industry Studies, actively refining his skills through a range of illustrious productions, including A Doll’s House (Torvald), The Man of Mode (Dorman), and The Nina Variations (Treplev).

In late 2023, driven by his enduring love for theatre, Ben relocated to New York City to commence his professional career in the arts. Since his arrival, he has contributed to a variety of projects, including the world premieres of Sarah Powers’ Great Bends and Michael Christian’s The Beat Generation, as well as several short films. Through his work, Ben continues to seek out opportunities to push the boundaries of his craft, while passionately engaging with the vibrant artistic community of New York City.

What's New?

January 27, 2025

"Elidi?”, a play I wrote in the fall of 2023, was accepted in the New York Theatre Festival’s Summerfest. The world-premiere of my play will be taking place at the Hudson Guild Theater on July 31st.

January 6, 2025

Headshots were updated with the wonderful Julianna McGuirl Photography! She did an amazing job with the photos, with many of the different looks being featured throughout this website!

December 8, 2024

The final show of “Great Bends”! A wonderful new play by Sarah Powers completed its run at Third Space in Brooklyn! The play is currently in talks to play at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival this upcoming September!