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Acting PHOTO GALLERY REELS NEWS ARTICLES ORIGINATED ROLES Acting Photo Gallery White Pearl: Marcel UR Theatre and Dance (2023) The Lost Colony: Understudy for Ananias Dare, Ensemble, and Puppeteer The Lost Colony at The Waterside Theatre (2023) The Rivals: Captain Absolute UR Theatre and Dance (2023) Perfect Arrangement: Theodore Sunderson UR Theatre and Dance (2022) Scapino, The Trickster: Scapino UR Theatre and Dance (2021) A Brief Shakespeare Festival: Romeo (R&J) and Claudius (Hamlet) City of Fairfax Theatre Company (2021) Midsummer Night's Dream: Demetrius City of Fairfax Theatre (2020) 'From the Ash Baxter Files: The Search for the Stolen Spyglass': Ash Baxter Alden Theatre: Drive Thru Drama Series (2020) Acting Reels News Articles from Featured Productions Washington Post The Lost Colony The McLean Connection Drive Thru Drama: Small Change Broadway World City of Fairfax Theatre Company: A Brief Shakespeare Festival Washington Post The Lost Colony 1/7 Originated the Role of Scapino, The Trickster LINK TO SCRIPT

The portfolio of Benjamin Cudmore. This site is a collection of Benjamin's work in the entertainment industry. Benjamin Cudmore's Portfolio Design Portfolio Directing Portfolio Acting Portfolio Meet the Artist Benjamin Cudmore is an American and Canadian creator in the theatre and film industry working as a director, designer, actor, writer, and producer. Benjamin has received honors such as being a University of Richmond Scholar for the Arts, the President of Alpha Psi Omega's ETA Chapter in 2024-2025, a recipient of the American Foreign Service Award for Theatre, a recipient of the Lost Colony's Keeper of the Dream Award, awarded second place for makeup design at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in 2025, and earned departmental honors in theatre for his BA at the University of Richmond. Benjamin creates connections through collaboration, innovation, and the merging of art forms.

Headshot Resume Resume_2024-2025 (2) Resume_2024-2025 (2) 1/1 Additional Headshots By Songbird Studio

Creating the ghost of Jennet Humfrye When the ghost of Jennet Humfrye is first seen on stage, Arthur Kipps refers to her face as having “skin stretched over her bones.” Another character also details how she contracted a disease where “the flesh shrank from her bones, the colour was drained from her, she looked like a walking skeleton – a living spectre.” Her expression appears to be malevolent as she died in “hatred and misery.” To create the best representation of the ghost, Benjamin considered these descriptions as well as how the makeup would be impacted by blocking, lighting design, and costume design. Benjamin exaggerated the sunken eye sockets and created pronounced features in the face to enhance the walking skeleton idea when she is exposed under lighting. Benjamin had to consider the color of the lighting by adding some shades of blue to the skin for an unearthly ghost effect and so that the red and warm gels would capture the details he added with stage creme makeup. To make her face seem as though the disease was melting her, Benjamin created wrinkles down her cheeks as if the skin was being supported by tendons. Her nose is button-like and her eyebrows have faux brown hair with brunette hair extensions in a bun so she would not seem elderly. In spring 2024, Benjamin learned how to create silicone prosthetics while working with Professor Heather Hogg in his honors level course of Fundamentals of Stage Makeup. During this course, Benjamin made a variety of silicone and latex prosthetics that helped him to develop skills for creating the silicone prosthetic of Jennet Humfrye’s face. Benjamin is grateful for her mentorship as this preparation allowed him to create a durable and long-lasting prosthetic that the actor wore while performing as Jennet Humfrye’s ghost. His makeup design for The Woman in Black was awarded second place at the Southeastern Theatre Conference’s design competition. Makeup in Action Timelapse Makeup WIB Play Video Caroline Mask Cleaning Timelapse Play Video Clay Timelapse Play Video BTS Makeup Compilation Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

Bringing a Ghost Story to Life: Directing and Designing The Woman in Black PLOT SYNOPSIS: While attending the funeral of an elderly recluse, attorney Arthur Kipps encounters the spirit of a woman dressed in black that terrifies the town of Crythin Gifford. Years later, haunted by this experience, he hires an actor to help him tell the story and “exorcise” his past. Set in an abandoned Victorian theater, they reenact a series of chilling events to provide a more vivid account for his eventual audience. Dramaturgy As part of Benjamin's dramaturgical work, it was important for this production to recognize the two stories woven into the play of The Woman in Black ; half the narrative is set in 1983 and the other in 1951. These dates are not provided in the script or novel, but were selected based on script analysis and additional research. During the scenes set in 1983, Arthur Kipps is in his late 50s when he hires an acting coach to help him deliver a reading of his manuscript to his close friends and family. When Mr. Kipps and the acting coach read the manuscript aloud, the excerpts are from the original novel written by Susan Hill in 1983. The acting coach jokes that it would take 5 hours to read aloud, which is also the exact duration of the novel in an audiobook format. During the reenacted events of 1951, the acting coach assumes the role of the young Arthur Kipps who encounters the malevolent spirit of Jennet Humfrye while the actual Arthur Kipps plays the role of everyone else. Benjamin established the date as 1951 because Ms. Humfrye is revealed to have died in “nineteen-o-something,” and one of the townsfolk expounds upon how her haunting has lasted “fifty years” since her passing. Benjamin decided on 1951 after following the chronological order of the play and novel as well as the additional elements that fit within the period of the selected dates. Makeup Discover the process behind creating a living specter. VIEW MORE Directing The first time Benjamin toured his university's theater as a prospective student, he knew he had to direct a play at the University of Richmond. For his capstone project at the University of Richmond theatre department, Benjamin directed a production of The Woman in Black written by Susan Hill and adapted by Stephen Mallatratt. Upon first reading the story, the dynamic interplay between the two lead characters drew him in– seeing how the actors could use their imagination to navigate the world portrayed in the play and its horrors. After pitching the production in 2023, and spending two years developing it, Benjamin was overjoyed to see the show come to life in February 2025. Benjamin dedicated his time at the University of Richmond to elevating his acting and design skills, allowing him to develop a unique style as a director. This has also enabled him to effectively communicate and discuss ideas with a creative team. Benjamin sees plays in images that evoke a form of connection between characters, the space, and the audience. He views that it is his job as a director to help articulate these moments so that the imagination of the audience is encouraged to find joy through discovery, fear through omission, or empathy through association. The cast and production team of The Woman in Black. Arthur Kipps (Jeff Clevenger, left) hires an acting coach (David Hensley, right) to rehearse a manuscript detailing the events of his encounter with Jennet Humfrye’s ghost in an abandoned theater. Arthur Kipps (Jeff Clevenger) takes on the role of Tomes (left) and Bentley (right) while the acting coach (David Hensley) becomes the younger version of Arthur Kipps to reenact the story starting in a solicitor’s office in London. Young Arthur Kipps (David Hensley, right) and Sam Daily (Jeff Clevenger, left) meet on a train from London to Crythin Gifford. The acting coach (David Hensley, right) and Arthur (Jeff Clevenger, left) find connection through their love for their families. The ghost of Jennet Humfrye (Caroline Perry) descends down the center aisle of the audience and onto the stage while following young Arthur Kipps and Jerome attending the funeral of Alice Drablow. Benjamin created a bouquet of flowers with a smoke machine inside so fog would wash over her like a specter. Jerome (Jeff Clevenger, left) cowers and drags young Arthur Kipps (David Hensley, right) after the woman in black appears in the graveyard. Young Arthur Kipps (David Hensley) writes a letter to his beloved Stella when he first arrives in the town of Crythin Gifford in the image to the left. In the image to the right, Keckwick (Jeff Clevenger, left) and Arthur (right) travel across the marshes to the Drablow manor on a pony and trap. Fog engulfs the stage throughout the performance to transport the audience to different settings, especially to conceal the ghost of the woman in black and scare Arthur and the audience as he explores the estate. Arthur Kipps (David Hensley) navigates the Drablow estate and discovers the grave of Jennet Humfrye. He later retreats from the fog with the help of Keckwick (Jeff Clevenger). Arthur Kipps (David Hensley) is lured into the marshlands to save Sam Daily’s dog from drowning as he wades through the muck to save the pup. Arthur Kipps (David Hensley) returns to a suddenly destroyed nursery in Alice Drablow's home. By the end of his venture, Young Arthur Kipps (David Hensley, right) uncovers the tragic story of the woman in black and her terrible curse that inflicts the families of Crythin Gifford. Arthur Kipps (David Hensley) is haunted by his encounter and batttles a vicious nightmare after passing out at Sam Daily's home. After his visions subside, he concludes the story by recounting how the ghost's curse has followed him to this day. BTS of The Woman in Black Play Video All Videos

Directing Rolls to Play The Jewel of the Amethyst Sea An actual play TTRPG web series produced and directed by Benjamin Cudmore coming soon! Rolling with Laughter Benjamin Cudmore coached and helped produce a sold out Dungeons and Dragons Improv performance in 2023 with the cast of Rolls to Play and Bridge 9 Improv VIEW MORE 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. VIEW MORE 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: Signed in Ink -- Cameron is haunted by his guilt in the face of heartbreak and his political inaction. (Political Horror, 13+) Another Identity- -Jasper, a college student looking for an easy A on his summer studies encounters a strange new A.I. (Political Horror, 13+) 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 Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied 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

Design Design Design Design MAKEUP PROPS & PUPPETRY COSTUMES & CONCEPT ART SET DESIGN & SCENIC ART Makeup Signed in Ink: Lenore Creating fake ink using honey, water, corn syrup, and food dye. Distressing the skin to make veins appear stronger and skin more pale for a nightmare sequence. Signed in Ink: Elijah Creating fake ink using honey, water, corn syrup, and food dye. Distressing the skin to make veins appear stronger and skin more pale for a nightmare sequence. The Woman in Black Silicon distorted face made and designed for a production of The Woman in Black. This design won second place at SETC in 2025 Sculpting Sculpting a silicone prosthetic Captain Ahab Silicon nose, latex scar, creme makeup for aging Goblin Silicone Prosthetic and Creme Makeup Extreme Age Makeup Silicone prosthetic face and wig Age Makeup Custom beard, latex nose, creme makeup for aging Process Molds and prosthetics made by Benjamin Cudmore Resin face casting Resin mold test Extreme Age Close Up Extreme Age Makeup Prosthetic on Mold Molds The face casting on the left is with alginate casting, and the casting on the right is without alginate to compare detail. The Woman in Black Prosthetic Prosthetic on face cast Face Cast Resin mold Custom Beard Beard applied with faux hair and spirit gum Van Gogh Portait Stylized creme makeup of Portrait of Doctor Rey (1889). Swollen Eye Latex prosthetic with faux hair for the eyelashes Wounded Tourist Golf ball attached to the rim of the glasses, creme makeup around eye, and then creme makeup along the arm for a gator bite. Einstein Fake mustache and creme makeup Signed in Ink: Cameron Creating faux stubble and applying custom fake ink during horror scenes. Designing the Makeup for the Woman in Black VIEW MORE Props Hercules Beetle Mask Paper mache mask stylized like a greek warrior helmet and a Hercules Beetle Hercules Beetle Mask Concept Upholstery Work Repairing a Victorian Rocking Chair Upholstery and Pull-Away Attaching fabric that can be pulled off with clip-ons to make the chair appear destroyed by a ghost on stage. White Pearl: Props Master Created labels for bottles and fake brands for merchandise. Created reusable fake drinks out of water, dye, and modge podge that was then sealed to not leak and look like milk tea. Filled whiskey bottles with diluted ice tea to give the illusion of whiskey. Made acrylic ice cubes to have reusable cups and not worry about melting props and more. Aged Door Painted, repaired, and reinforced piece. Harlequin Comedia Mask Paper Mâché Venetian mask. Garden Monster Mask for the "Gardner" character in a haunted house. Sculpting heads Sculpted head for Escape from Wonderland Haunted House Haunted House: Props Master Created faux taxidermy, masks, body parts, weapons, and more. Decapitated Heads Prior to adding wigs, these heads were used in Escape from Wonderland in the throne room of the Queen of Hearts Caterpillar Mask The Giant Caterpillar wore this custom mask for Escape from Wonderland haunted house Mad Hatter's Tea Party Escape from Wonderland: All prosthetics on the table. Skeleton Mask Paper mâché mask. Puppetry Waddles Eats a Pickle Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins puppet Waddles Standing Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins puppet (Two person operated puppet) Tiny Takes Flight Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins puppet The Goblin King Repurposing the Thanatos Puppet for Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins Orc Puppet Made from hard foam, wood, spackle, paper mâché, cloth, and cardboard. Orc Puppet (Pre-Production) Rear of Orc Puppet A sword and spear pierce this puppet to help the handles for its puppeteer blend in. Wooden Puppet This Wooden puppet is capable of talking with the use of a bit of spring, wood, and lace Thanatos Puppet and Crew Made from foam, wood, styrofoam, LED lights, and string. This 10ft tall puppet required three puppeteers to operate my design. Two puppeteers control the hands and fingers while the other puppeteer operates the mouth and torso. Thanatos Puppet In Action Benjamin crafted this 10ft tall skeleton for his piece, "The Book from Hell." Owl Puppet (pre-production) Parrot and Owl Puppets Made from bamboo, bungee cord, and carboard. Global Protest Puppet Made from recyclable materials, this puppet stands up to 12ft high. "Humanoid Vulture" Shadow Puppet Old Man Puppet Made from felt, fur, faux jewels, and scraps of an old wig. Opaque and Translucent Wolf Shadow Puppets These two puppets are an example of some of the early work in exploring the different styles of shadow puppetry Eco-Puppetry Featured in Protest Environmental Science Students Protest with Puppetry Puppets featured in this article were designed and built by Benjamin Cudmore. The Globe is on the March Environmental Science Students Protest using Benjamin's Globe Puppet Owl and Parrot Puppet Environmental Science Students Protest using Benjamin's Bird Puppets Environmental Science Students Protest with Puppetry Puppets featured in this article were designed and built by Benjamin Cudmore. 1/3 Costumes Pumpkin Mask Built with plaster, paper machete, and eva foam clay. Signed in Ink: Officer Creating riot gear for a police officer in Signed in Ink Slipper Custom Red Slipper Hand Stitching Sample Cheshire Cat Escape from Wonderland Haunted House Caterpillar Escape from Wonderland Haunted House Big Bad Wolf Costume Utilizing a white wig, sewing a fur carpet into a used suit, metal rings, and a bit of makeup. Haunted House: Doll Made mask and wig from scratch The Ghost Host Skeleton Costume Utilizing a paper mâché mask, and painting over used formal wear Haunted House: Undead Created mask and hands from scratch with moveable jaw Venetian Horror Utilizing white contact lens, handmade claws, Venetian mask, white hair spray, and more Haunted House: Cannibal Chef The Crocodile Pirate The concept of this costume was imagining if the crocodile from Peter Pan was turned into a human. Everything except for the pants were made by hand. Haunted House: 'Guard'ner Created mask from scratch with moveable jaw Haunted House: Germaphobe All except mask and bottle made from scratch Concept Art Neverwhere: Richard To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Door To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Mineola Twins: Ben Mineola Twins: Myra Trifles: Mrs. Peters Trifles: Hale Neverwhere: Hunter To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Jessica To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Marquis De Carabas To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Portico To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Sable To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Old Woman For more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Richard To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Door To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Mineola Twins: Ben Mineola Twins: Myra Trifles: Mrs. Peters Trifles: Hale Neverwhere: Hunter To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Jessica To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Marquis De Carabas To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Portico To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Sable To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Old Woman For more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Richard To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Door To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Mineola Twins: Ben Mineola Twins: Myra Trifles: Mrs. Peters Trifles: Hale Neverwhere: Hunter To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Jessica To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Marquis De Carabas To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Portico To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Sable To view more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Neverwhere: Old Woman For more concept artwork, email me in the contact section. Set Design & Scenic Art Mineola Twins Set Design Overhead View of Mineola Twins set design (not realized). Mineola Twins Painter's View Unrealized production painter's view. Haunted House Floor Plan Draft Floor Plan for Haunted House 2024 Escape from Wonderland Setting up hollywood flats Scenic Painting painting eight hollywood flats front and back the day before load-in by himself RTP draft 1 of Table Design Mockup of Game Master set design Testing camera angles of the RTP set with mockup designs. Created with Diana Altenhof. Mockup of Players set design Testing camera angles of the RTP set with mockup designs. Created with Diana Altenhof. RTP Jewel of the Amethyst Sea Set Set of the TTRPG web series Rolls to Play 3D Print Design Proscenium stage in blackbox Victorian Theatre Mockup Created through Blender Dragons of Stormwreck Isle: Shipwreck of The Compass Rose A DnD board crafted out of Foamular, wood, cloth, and more. The ship is a vertical Dungeon and separates into four levels. Dragons of Stormwreck Isle: Spore Servant Octopus The octopus is made from hot glue and wire. The figures are both painted by hand. The terrain is made from Foamular, plastic, and more. Dragons of Stormwreck Isle: Seagrove Caves Made from Foamular, foam board, and hot glue Dungeon Screen Crafted with Foamular, modge podge, and more Haunted House Dungeon Screen This Dungeon Screen uses a switchboard that activates the lighting effects in the house, lamp posts, and billboard Dragons of Stormwreck Isle: The Observatory Made with foam board, Foamular, popsicle sticks, and more. Custom Table Design Custom Table