Penny Benson

5'1" ? 105 lbs
Eyes: green ? Hair: long, brown, curly
pjforshort@comcast.net

Theater

Boston and Metro
A Christmas Story Miss Shields, Desperado, Elf Stoneham Theatre, Jack Neary, Dir.
The Pianist Lily (Monologue, abuse victim) Family Beef, TYG, Vincent Siders, Dir.
Nielson Spike Ruby (Lead, family outcast / Dramedy) Family Beef, TYG, Vincent Siders, Dir.
Tom Dempsey's Foot Person 2 (Lead, awkward co-worker / Comedy) Mill City Minutes, Image Theater, Will Luera, Dir.
Hence These Tears Sarah (Supporting, dying mother / Drama) Boston Actors' Theater, @ The Devanaughn
The Halfway House Club Anne (Supporting, vulnerable mother /Dramedy) Hovey Summer Festival
The Offer Faye (Lead, sexually aggressive boss / Comedy) Playwrights' Platform Summer Festival*, @ BPT
Christmas at Grandma's Marianne (Lead, stressed mother / Dramedy) Playwrights' Platform Summer Festival, @ BPT
Lineage Lucasta (Supporting, "Type A" mother / Dramedy) Junkyard Dogs Production, @ Actors' Workshop
Martinis, Dry & Bitter Virginia (Supporting, bar fly / Comedy) Image Theater, Boston Theater Marathon
A Ticklish Situation Aileen (Lead, quadriplegic lover / Dramedy) Playwrights' Platform, Boston Theater Marathon
The Mother in my Head Mother Baker (Ensemble) Shea Theatre, Lau Lapides, Dir.
The Vagina Monologues The Workshop (Ensemble) Junkyard Dogs Productions, Lisa Dupre, Dir.
Playwrights' Platform Actor in Residence Play reading for new play development

New Hampshire
First Night Meredith (Romantic lead / Comedy) Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
Plaza Suite Muriel Tate, Jean McCormick, Mimsey Hubley Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
California Suite Millie (Supporting, neurotic wife / Comedy) Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
Bedrooms Wendy (Supporting, controlling wife / Comedy) Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
Love, Sex & the IRS Kate (Supporting, romantic interest / Comedy) Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
Steel Magnolias Truvy Stage One, Manchester, NH, George Piehl, Dir.
Murder in Hell's Kitchen Violet (Lead, Scripted & improvisational spoof) Murder DuJour, touring
Theater for Young Audiences
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates Mother, Narrator, Annie Riverside Theatre Works (elementary school tours)
Wizard's Crystal Wacky Witch Pocket Full of Tales, TCAN
Snow White Evil Queen (interactive) Makeshift Theatre, @ Coolidge Corner & Regent
Further Adventures of Maide Marion Maide Marion (musical) Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH
Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH
Once Upon a Shoe Child (musical) Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH
Winnie the Pooh: A Christmas Tail Owl (musical) Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH
Little Red Riding Hood Mother, Little Pig (musical) Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH
Sleeping Beauty Queen (interactive musical) Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH

Professional Experiences & Special Skills
Babson College, Visiting Teaching Artist, Intro to Acting
Underground Railway Theatre, Art InterACTions: Tour of Italy, the Museum of Fine Art, Boston.
Huntington Theatre Co., FIRST ACT school tours, Teaching Artist
Hampstead Academy, Hampstead, N.H., Drama Teacher (Grades 1-8)
Palace Theatre, Summer Theater Camp, Visiting Teaching Artist
Graphic Artist / Illustrator
RN with Critical Care, ER and supervisory experience
Light Dance (Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap) and movement choreography.

Puppet, mask, specialty costume° and prop design / construction; scenic artist.
Swim instructor, lifeguard experience, water skiing, motorboat driving, small craft sailing, and archery.
* Best Actor Award, Playwrights' Platform Summer Festival, 2006 ° NH Theater Awards: Best Costume Design