KENT—When Zoe Benjamin was growing up on the Kent School campus, she always knew she wanted to be a performer. She started in dance and musical theater, which have continued to be her focus.
She is currently performing in her first professional regional theater job at the Sharon Playhouse in “The Prom.” Benjamin plays Kaylee, who she describes as “the most popular girl—a mean girl type.”
“The Prom” is a story of a high school girl who wants to go to the prom. Parents in the small town in Indiana block her plans because she is a lesbian and wants to bring her girlfriend to the event. A group of four Broadway actors rally to her defense and make her their “cause.”
The story is loosely based on a real life story of a girl in Mississippi from 2010. The musical opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on Nov. 16, 2018 and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In 2020, a film version of “The Prom” was produced by Netflix, starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, and Keegan-Michael Key.
After auditioning four different times for roles at Sharon Playhouse, Benjamin was excited to get this role for the summer production that opened Friday, July 26, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 11.
“I wanted to work at Sharon. I would have taken anything they wanted to offer me,” she said during a recent interview. “It is hard to get into this career obviously. Regional theaters love hiring regional performers so it felt like an achievable goal.”
This production held a special attraction for her.
“They were doing “The Prom,” which is a show that I fit into because I’m into contemporary musical theater, that kind of high school thing. And, it is a queer story that I relate to,” Benjamin said.
The auditions were in person and it was the first time she’s been able to participate in a live audition, instead of a virtual one.
“Right now a lot of auditions are happening virtually. After the pandemic, everybody realized it was easier and cheaper to just watch videos of people,” Benjamin said. “When you’re first starting in your career, people don’t like watching your videos because you can’t actually get a sense for how people are.”
“I was like I’m going to go to this audition and I’m going to get it this year. I was determined,” she said.
She definitely made an impression on the director and his crew.
“From the moment Zoe walked into the room to audition for “The Prom,” I knew she was special. She is a strong singer and dancer who works really hard and brings an infectious positive energy to every rehearsal,” said Carl Andress, the artistic director of the Playhouse and director of “The Prom.” “Zoe quickly and easily became friendly with everyone in the company, and her great attitude makes her a joy to work with. We are thrilled to have her appearing as Kaylee in our production at the Sharon Playhouse.”
A graduate of Kent School in 2020, Benjamin is the daughter of Kristin and Mike Benjamin, who are teachers at the school. She attended Ball State University and graduated within three years with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater degree. It was an intensive study of acting. As a performer, Benjamin lists dancing, singing and acting on her resume.
“After college, I did a professional semester at Broadway Dance Center in New York City for four months,” she said, describing it as taking 16 dance classes a week for four months. It allowed her to feel more well rounded as a performer. “I’ve been trying to do this for 12 years now.”
She began her dance and musical theater instruction under the tutelage of Heather Holohan-Guarnieri, Kent School’s dance program director.
“She is my mentor. She is the main person of why I am the performer I am today. She started me from scratch,” Benjamin said.
Holohan-Guarnieri said Wednesday that it was clear from when Benjamin was nine years old that she was focused and driven with a lot of talent, even then.
“The thing that always set Zoe apart was her work ethic and passion for performing arts,” said Holohan-Guarnieri. “She is very dedicated, very passionate and has always known this is what she wanted to do and she set her mind to making it happen. She is also joyful in the work she does.”
When they worked together at Kent School, her instructor would ask her to demonstrate dance moves.
“Her dancing has always been very clean in her execution. She can pretty much do anything I ask her to,” Holohan-Guarnieri said.
Benjamin also did youth theater at Sharon Playhouse as a child, but noted it was under different management back then so it is not the same people she’s working with now.
After two weeks of rehearsals, the show opened in the Olsen Theater. Benjamin called those early weeks a “whirlwind” of activity, saying it is actually calmer now. There are two shows on Thursdays and Saturdays, a Friday evening and Sunday matinee performance. Tickets are available online.
During the Sunday, Aug. 4 show the power went out during a storm, but the production team was able to get the lights back on and restart the show after a short pause.
As Kaylee, Benjamin wears a long wig, so local residents might not recognize her quickly when they see her onstage. At 22, Benjamin relishes the opportunity that she’s been given as someone just starting out in the business.
“I would like to thank Carl Andress, Michael Baldwin, and Judy Bowman for this opportunity and for making the experience so great,” she said, also recognizing Kate Baldwin, who plays Dee Dee Allen in the show, as one of the highlights for her. Baldwin is a two-time Tony Award nominee and four-time Drama Desk nominee, having starred on Broadway in multiple roles.
“She is the real deal. It is really cool to work with her and watch her work because it’s kind of rare to work with someone like that early in your career. She’s been awesome,” Benjamin said.
Following the close of the show, Benjamin said she plans to go back to New York. She hopes to find a new apartment with three other people, several of whom she attended college with. She also hopes to return to her restaurant job as she continues to audition for other roles.
“I love living in the city but it is always nice to spend some time here. It is more beautiful every time I come back,” she said.
