benjwelo theatricals

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about

Benjwelo Theatricals, founded in 2013 by Joel B. New, is a solo-run production company specializing in original musicals that are bold, funny, queer, and deeply human. Most often presented in concert form, Benjwelo’s shows lean into gay-centered storytelling with a sharp ear for comedy and a soft spot for misfits.

As a cis white gay man and the sole writer, Joel is deeply aware of whose stories he’s telling—and whose stories still need more spotlight. That’s why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are built into the way Benjwelo operates, not tacked on as an afterthought.

Benjwelo isn’t in this for profit (we’re usually producing in the red). But ethical, inclusive practices are non-negotiable, no matter the budget. Here's how that shows up:

🎤 CASTING

  • At least 35% of all performers per project will be people of color.

  • At least 50% of cast and crew will identify as LGBTQIA+, ensuring that queer storytelling is collaborative and expansive—not just one voice.

  • While many shows focus on gay male characters, we intentionally cast women, nonbinary, and trans artists wherever the material allows—and frequently rewrite things to make space.

  • We welcome performers with disabilities and are committed to accommodating access needs to the best of our ability.

🎼 CREATIVE TEAM & COLLABORATORS

  • At least 50% of directors, music directors, musicians, and creative collaborators will come from historically underrepresented communities (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, and/or disabled).

  • Every production will aim to include at least one collaborator over the age of 50, recognizing that talent, creativity, and relevance don’t expire.

  • All collaborators receive a modest honorarium or stipend—because even when money is tight, your time, talent, and presence matter.

  • We do not ask anyone to work for free. Ever.

✍🏽 REPRESENTATION & ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Joel consults with sensitivity readers or cultural advisors when writing outside his lived experience.

  • Characters from marginalized identities are crafted with depth, dignity, and delight—never flattened into stereotypes or background props.

  • If a piece explores real-world identities or communities, it does so with respect, humor, and context, not cheap jokes or unchecked assumptions.

💬 CULTURE & COMMUNICATION

  • Each production starts with a collaborative values conversation to name what respect and inclusion look like in our space.

  • Cast and crew are invited to share anonymous feedback after each show so we can keep learning, evolving, and doing better.

  • We choose rehearsal and performance spaces that are as accessible, inclusive, and low-stress as possible—no diva energy, no bad vibes.

🌱 MENTORSHIP

  • Every production includes at least one paid opportunity for an emerging artist from an underrepresented background to shadow, assist, or contribute with intention.

  • These aren’t empty résumé lines—they’re structured experiences with built-in mentorship.

Benjwelo Theatricals is proof that you don’t need Broadway budgets to center bold stories, joyful representation, and ethical practices. We’re not here to turn a profit—we’re here to build community, amplify queer joy, and tell the kinds of stories we wish we’d seen growing up.