Ben Kaye (they/he) is a cultural critic, theatre maker, and aspiring filmmaker currently based in Chicago, IL.
Ben’s writing has appeared in Cine-File, Newcity Stage, The Spool, and Looper, where he has written about topics as varied as the state of Chicago storefront theater amidst a global pandemic, to the best and worst films of Will Ferrell. In 2022 and 2023, Ben’s writing was featured in the Chicago Parks District’s “Chicago Onscreen” program, highlighting and celebrating local Chicago filmmakers.
Their work as a stage director has been seen at Dandelion Theatre, Nothing Without a Company, The New Coordinates, GreatWorks Theatre Company, and many others. His production of “Forsythian Dweller’s Club” received a Golden Lanyard Award (Venue Pick) at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2018.
Ben is also the creator and host of the now defunct Movie: The Musical!, a podcast about films that have been adapted for the stage as musicals. He is also in the early stages of developing a documentary about the Chicago storefront theater scene.
You can follow them on Instagram @thebenkaye, and on Letterboxd at the same handle.