Ben Cervantes is an Austin based, early career playwright, composer, and director with a passion for bizarre, larger than life tales and characters. With an affinity for the unconventional and surreal, Ben's plays frequently live in the realm of the absurd, supernatural, and extraordinary. Unafraid to examine and criticize the uglier side of tried and true narrative traditions, Ben's work aims to deconstruct and dissect familiar tropes and genres. Despite being an avid enjoyer of the surreal, Ben's work ultimately seeks to encourage audiences to embrace empathy and kindness amidst the chaotic worlds he presents.

Originally from Arlington, Texas, Ben participated in school and community theatre as an actor and technician before attending the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in Playwriting and Directing. In his time at UT, Ben worked on numerous productions as an actor, technician, musician, and director. He is currently a member of Paramount Theater’s Story Wranglers, the Dog House comedy group, and pianist for musical improv troupe, Tempo Tantrums. Ben is also a recipient of the UT Co-Op George H. Mitchell Award for his undergraduate thesis, “A Second Look at the Theatrical World of Jim Steinman.”