Directing
Rolls to Play
The Jewel of the Amethyst Sea
An actual play TTRPG web series produced and directed by Benjamin Cudmore coming soon!
The Woman in Black
Written by SUSAN HILL
Adapted by STEPHEN MALLATRATT
Directed by BENJAMIN CUDMORE
Working with the support of faculty mentors Maja E. White and Johann Stegmeir, Benjamin Cudmore developed a course to foster a collaborative environment where students could design a production of The Woman in Black and allow for student actors to be involved in the creative process from the beginning to the end. Each student in the class researched and designed different elements of the play and applied for grants to help fund the production. Most members of the class had more than one role on the production team, and most of what was on stage was sourced and repurposed from the department storage to be as inclusive and eco-friendly as possible. Benjamin led the project as the director and makeup designer, receiving an "Excellence in Theatre" award from the University of Richmond's Department of Theatre and Dance, second place in the makeup design competition at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in 2025, as well as Departmental Honors in theatre upon graduating for his work.
Student Films
While studying film at the University of Richmond, Benjamin Cudmore had the chance to work on student films. These are three samples of short films he directed:
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Signed in Ink​-- Cameron is haunted by his guilt in the face of heartbreak and his political inaction. (Political Horror, 13+)
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Another Identity--Jasper, a college student looking for an easy A on his summer studies encounters a strange new A.I. (Political Horror, 13+)
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Life and Light--A young man wanders through a forest in a surrealist dream turned nightmare. (Surrealism, 13+)
The Vienna Playwriting Festival
In cooperation with the Town of Vienna, Benjamin Cudmore founded a local playwriting festival for Virginia residents to submit their work in 2021. Benjamin directed six of the selected plays while coordinating with the Town of Vienna community center and the actors. He recruited local artisans to help provide the show with professional equipment and intermission entertainment. Through this project, Benjamin learned the value of organization, team-work, and adaptability as a director.
Vienna Playwriting Festival
VHSL: Variations on a Theme
In 2020, Benjamin was recruited as an Assistant Director for the Virginia High School League Theatre competition. Benjamin provided assistance by coaching acting techniques, proposing concepts, and taking over rehearsals in the director's absence. Benjamin became so familiar with the script that he filled in for one of the actors due to unforeseen circumstances. His notes and acting proved beneficial as the play won the regional competition.
The Book from Hell
Benjamin sought to revive this play at another local theatre. Benjamin created a 10ft tall skeleton puppet for the project as well as costumes and props by hand. Unfortunately, the production was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, he recruited members from his high school to perform the piece online and socially distanced.
A group of high schoolers learn they must be the authors of their own story as fictional forces seek revenge. Benjamin submitted this play to the Hub Theatre in D.C. for their Emerging Playwrights Competition and had the honor of having his piece directed and performed by professional actors from the D.M.V. area in 2019.
Spin-off Shakespeare
While studying at Oxford in 2019 and 2022, Benjamin recruited local and professional actors to film short sketches based on scenes from Shakespeare's plays and improvised scenarios. Benjamin directed and sometimes acted in these sketches and was able to capture two of them on film.
The Essay
During the Pandemic, Benjamin wrote this piece and directed actors online in 2020. Tired of the Zoom formatting, Benjamin animated this short play to break away from the theatrical and cinematic norm. This piece was submitted to BA and BFA theatre programs, resulting in scholarships and acceptances.
Please Hold
Eagerly waiting on hold to hear back from his potential employer, a young man is brought to his wit's end. This piece was performed at Sketchfest and was written and directed by Benjamin Cudmore