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Benjamin Velez

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Benjamin Velez BIO

Benjamin Velez is a composer/lyricist and Columbia graduate (114th Varsity Show), born and raised in Miami, FL. Proud member of the Advanced BMI workshop (2012 Harrington Award) and a Sundance Artist at Ucross. His work has been at MTF, Ars Nova, NAMT, NEO, the Civilians, 4@15, and Joe's Pub. His musical AFTERLAND, written with Katie Hathaway, was developed at the Yale Institute for Music Theater and the York Theater, directed by Mark Brokaw. He developed BOOMERANGS (also with Hathaway) at Dixon Place (2017) and Manhattan School of Music (2021), directed by Jaki Bradley. His musical BORDERLINE, written with Aryanna Garber, won the 2018 Weston Playhouse New Musical Award, and opened the 2019 O’Neill Musical Theater Conference. It will have its world premiere at Delaware Theater Company in April 2023, directed by Sarna Lapine.

He was a 2018-2019 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow, the 2019 Fred Ebb Award Winner, a 2020 Thom Thomas Award winner, and a 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient. His musical KISS MY AZTEC, written with John Leguizamo, Tony Taccone, and David Kamp, was developed at the Public Theater (2018), before premiering at Berkeley Rep (2019), followed by a run at the La Jolla Playhouse (2019). It will be presented at Hartford Stage in June of 2022. Other upcoming projects include a Public Theater commission, a commission by La Jolla Playhouse for an original musical he’s writing with Harrison David Rivers, and co-writing the score on a Broadway-bound adaptation, directed by Sergio Trujillo.

Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic

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Photos: Go Inside the Jonathan Larson Grants Concert Celebration


The American Theatre Wing celebrated the recipients of the 2023 Jonathan Larson Grant, the esteemed annual prize awarded to exceptional emerging musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams. A special concert, showcasing the past four years of Jonathan Larson Grant winning artists, was held at Florence Gould Halland BroadwayWorld was there for the special night. Check out photos below!

Larry Owens, Veronica Mansour & More to Receive 2023 Jonathan Larson Grants


The American Theatre Wing has revealed the recipients of the 2023 Jonathan Larson Grant. Learn more about the grant and the winners here.

VIDEO: See The Load-In for REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at American Repertory Theater


Watch as the set for Real Women Have Curves: The Musical at American Repertory Theater is loaded into the Loeb Drama Center.

Review Roundup: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at American Repertory Theater


What did the critics think of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical's world premiere at American Repertory Theater?

Review: A.R.T. Has a Hit with World Premiere Of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL


What did our critic think of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at Loeb Drama Center? The American Repertory Theater’s world-premiere production of “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical” – at Cambridge’s Loeb Drama Center through January 21 – proves that a serious story about the very real challenges facing undocumented immigrants can also be a funny, spirited, and joyous celebration of the power of family and community.

Photos & Video: Go Inside Opening Night of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at A.R.T.


Check out photos and video from opening night of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical world premiere at A.R.T.!

Video: Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez Talk the Making of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL


Watch as composers Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez discuss the process of creating the world-premiere of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical.

Photos: Get a First Look at REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at American Repertory Theater


Get a first look at Real Women Have Curves: The Musical at A.R.T.

Exclusive Photo: Get a First Look at REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at A.R.T.


Get an exclusive first look at Real Women Have Curves: The Musical at American Repertory Theatre!

American Repertory Theater Announces Programs And Events Associated With World Premiere REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL


The world premiere of 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' is accompanied by a range of programs and events, including an Artists for Humanity collaboration, a 'Curves of Life' workshop, and Spanish-language captioned and other access performances.

Video: Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Scenic Design for REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL


American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a world-premiere musical. Take a look at the video!

Video: Joy Huerta And Benjamin Velez Perform 'Flying Away' From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES


American Repertory Theater has released a video clip of Joy Huerta (vocals) and Benjamin Velez (piano) performing “Flying Away” from Real Women Have Curves at The Drama League Gala. Watch here!

The Drama League Gala: Embrace the Directors


​​​​​​​The Drama League 2023 Gala titled “Embrace The Season” is an event amplifying the Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway shows gracing the stages in New York City each season.

A.R.T. to Present Screening of HBO's REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES


Join in at A.R.T. for a special screening of HBO's REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES. Experience the powerful story of five Latina women navigating societal expectations and the pursuit of their dreams. Limited-time event, book your tickets now.

Photos: On the Red Carpet for the Drama League's Embrace the Season Gala


Just last night, the Drama League celebrated Embrace The Season: A Drama League Celebration, the venerated gala event amplifying the extraordinary productions gracing stages in New York City each season. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals here.

Dramatists Guild Foundation Awards Zeniba Now With 2023 Thom Thomas Award


The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced multifaceted artist Zeniba Now as the recipient of the 2023 Thom Thomas Award, given annually to an alumnus of the DGF Fellows program who demonstrates great artistic skill. 

19th Annual Fred Ebb Award To Be Presented To Freya Catrin Smith & Jack Williams


The 19th Annual Fred Ebb Award will be presented to Freya Catrin Smith & Jack Williams.

Leslie Odom Jr., Arielle Jacobs & More to Join The Drama League EMBRACE THE SEASON Gala


Get ready for a night of incredible performances at The Drama League 'Embrace The Season' Gala. Join Leslie Odom Jr., Arielle Jacobs, and other talented artists as they take the stage for an unforgettable evening. Don't miss out on this star-studded event!

Photos: Go Inside Music Rehearsal for REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES at A.R.T.


Get a first look inside music rehearsals for Real Women Have Curves at A.R.T.

Photos: On the Red Carpet at The Dramatists Guild Foundation 2023 Gala


The Dramatists Guild Foundation 2023 Gala took place last night, October 24. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out all the photos here!

Benjamin Velez FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Benjamin Velez written?

Benjamin Velez has written 2 shows including Kiss My Aztec! (Composer & Lyricist), The Tempest (Music).

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