Ben Williams

Ben Williams is an actor, musician and fundraising, web strategy & social media consultant living in NYC.

ACTOR 

Ben is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Philosophy & Performance Studies.  He also received actor training at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.  Favorite professional roles include Roy (Lone Star), Hamlet (Hamlet), Billy Bibbit (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and Mozart (Amadeus).  

Ben is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association.

FACEBOOK ACTOR PAGE:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Williams/117960359385

MUSICIAN

Ben has been writing and performing music for more than 15 years since teaching himself on his dad's worn out acoustic.  Born in Duluth, MN, raised in nearby Holyoke and then later just outside of Milwaukee, WI, Ben's Midwestern sensibilities are intact although they certainly don't run the show.  His lyrics balance kinetic spontaneity and emotion with an often decidedly simple musicality.  As Ben Williams processes his experience and sets the dial to "musical output", it's definitely worth listening in.

Ben has four years of private vocal training in jazz, classical and contemporary styles.  He is otherwise a self-taught musician, mingling acoustic guitar with his lyrical blend of folk, rock, alternative and indie sounds.

His second album, an EP, is set for release this spring.

FACEBOOK MUSIC PAGE:  http://www.facebook.com/benwilliamsmusic

MYSPACE MUSIC PROFILE:  http://www.myspace.com/beninfo

CONSULTANT

Ben was co-founder and co-owner of Quasi-Productions ('06-'08), a multimedia production company with branches in Milwaukee, Chicago and NYC.  He was also the founder and Executive Producer of the NYC branch ('02-'08), and acted as Project Coordinator for the first annual Milwaukee Youth Festival (MYFest) in September ('07).

Ben was a co-founder of Quasi-Theatre ('00), Quasi-Productions' nonprofit component.  He is responsible for establisthing Quasi-Theatre's newest community programs ('07-'08), including contract services with Wisconsin Child Protective Services and in social theatre and job training with Pathfinders, a homeless shelter for Milwaukee youth (under the United Way partner The Counseling Center of Milwaukee).  As new strategic development plans are put in place, Quasi-Theatre plans to rollout a new programmatic and service structure, including current and new community programs and a full theatre season.

Ben spent 3 years in nonprofit fundraising as a Senior Development Associate for New York City Mission Society, and is the creator of the Student Loan Consortium, a group designed for student debtees in which the only goal is to get fellow members out of the group.  Currently, he works as an independent consultant in fundraising, web strategy and social media for artists, nonprofits and small businesses at Ben Williams Consulting.