Ben Viccellio is a Chicago-based playwright and actor. Acting credits include: the role of Oedipus in Frank Galati's "Oedipus Complex" at The Goodman Theatre; "Cherry Orchard" (dir. Tina Landau), "Theatrical Essays" (dir. Tina Landau) and the world premiere of "Men of Tortuga" (dir. Amy Morton) at Steppenwolf; the role of Petruchio in "Short Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew" (dir. David H. Bell), the role of Macbeth in "Short Shakespeare: Macbeth" (dir. David H. Bell) and the role of Guildenstern in "Hamlet" (directed by Terry Hands) at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
Additionally, Ben has worked with About Face, Rivendell Theatre, Griffin Theater and Viaduct Theater, among others. He has also acted for film and television, as well as in the odd commercial... some of them very odd. He has written a number of plays and has seen his work produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Aspen. His play, "House of Judgment," was nominated for an LA Valley Theatre Award for Best Author of an Original…
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Ben Viccellio is a Chicago-based playwright and actor. Acting credits include: the role of Oedipus in Frank Galati's "Oedipus Complex" at The Goodman Theatre; "Cherry Orchard" (dir. Tina Landau), "Theatrical Essays" (dir. Tina Landau) and the world premiere of "Men of Tortuga" (dir. Amy Morton) at Steppenwolf; the role of Petruchio in "Short Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew" (dir. David H. Bell), the role of Macbeth in "Short Shakespeare: Macbeth" (dir. David H. Bell) and the role of Guildenstern in "Hamlet" (directed by Terry Hands) at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
Additionally, Ben has worked with About Face, Rivendell Theatre, Griffin Theater and Viaduct Theater, among others. He has also acted for film and television, as well as in the odd commercial... some of them very odd. He has written a number of plays and has seen his work produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Aspen. His play, "House of Judgment," was nominated for an LA Valley Theatre Award for Best Author of an Original Drama. He has also authored screenplays, including "Men In Trouble," based on the novel of the same name.
While earning his M.F.A. at Northwestern, he taught Intro to screenwriting and was the recipient of a generous grant from actor/filmmaker Zach Braff, which was used to fund Ben's first original short film, "The Meaning of Hemingway." He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild.
Areas of Expertise
Acting, Classical Drama, Shakespeare, Screenwriting, "Genre" Film
Education
2009 — Master of Fine Arts from Northwestern University
1998 — Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College
Courses Recently Taught
DRAM 110
The Play: Production and Performance
DRAM 110
The work of this course involves the realization in the theater of the efforts of an important playwright, as expressed in the text for a particular play. Problems in textual analysis, historical research and the creation of a production lead, by way of independent and cooperative activity involving acting, design and special problems, to public performance before an audience. Note: Students who, in the judgment of the instructional and directorial staff, have made significant creative contributions to the effectiveness of the production will have "audit" indicated on their academic record. No credit is awarded for an audited course.
DRAM 111
Introduction to the Theater
DRAM 111
This course examines how theater differs from other arts and how theatrical artists go about their jobs in bringing a play to life on stage. This examination is accomplished through a series of performance or creative assignments. The class is divided into four sections, two meeting in the morning and two in the afternoon. Plays, problems and exercises are performed and discussed in the sectional meetings. Approximately every other week, sections are combined for lectures and demonstrations. The course explores what a play is and how it is structured. Assignments consist of a series of playwriting problems and one acting problem, which students perform in class working in teams. In addition, students read at least five plays and a series of essays about the theory and practice of the theater, complete a series of brief written assignments and take written examinations. As a culmination of the work, each student writes, directs and presents a final short play to the class, working with fellow students. Any student with a general interest in the theater will find this a challenging course, regardless of previous experience. Because this course is an introduction to the arts of the theater, it is a prerequisite to many other courses in the department. Required for drama or film majors. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
DRAM 211
Foundations of Drama, Part II
DRAM 211
This course surveys the history of Western dramatic literature from 1700 through the 1980's. The emphasis is on critical reading for a theatrical understanding of these seminal texts. This course consists of lecture, discussions sessions and critical writing assignments. Required for drama majors. Prerequisite: DRAM 111.
DRAM 213
History of the Western Theater
DRAM 213
This course presents a historical study of Western theater from its origins to the present time. Students will examine the evolution of the physical theater structure and production elements of each period, as well as the relationship between each style and its historical context. Work will include lectures, readings, projects and discussion. Required for drama majors. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every year.
DRAM 220
The Actor
DRAM 220
Through the rehearsal and performance of various scenes, students will explore the nature of the actor's contribution to the theater. Work will include performance exercises, readings and written assignments. This counts toward the elements requirement for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111. Offered every year.
DRAM 220
Acting
DRAM 220
Through the rehearsal and performance of various scenes, students will explore the nature of the actor's contribution to the theater. Work will include performance exercises, readings and written assignments. This counts toward the elements requirement for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111. Offered every year.
DRAM 251
Classical Drama
DRAM 251
Students will study the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and others. The emphasis is on reading for a theatrical understanding of these ancient texts. Work includes projects, lecture and discussion sessions and written assignments. This counts toward the stage and its plays requirement for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111.
DRAM 326
Character Analysis
DRAM 326
This course presents a study of the actor's methods of analysis of a text and development of a completed characterization. Students will rehearse and present a series of scenes in various stages of development, leading to a complete understanding of a major role from dramatic literature. This counts toward the elements requirements for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 220. Generally offered every other year.
DRAM 493
Individual Study
DRAM 493
Individual study in drama is reserved for students exploring a topic not regularly offered in the department's curriculum. Typically, the course will carry .5 unit of credit. To enroll in an individual study, a student must identify a member of the department willing to direct the project and, in consultation with him or her, write a proposal. The department chair must approve the proposal. The one- to two-page proposal should include a preliminary bibliography and/or set of specific problems, goals and tasks for the course; outline a schedule of reading and/or writing assignments or creative undertakings and describe the methods of assessment (e.g., a journal to be submitted for evaluation weekly, a one-act play due at semester's end, with drafts due at given intervals, and so on). The student also should briefly describe prior coursework which qualifies him or her for this independent project. At a minimum, the department expects the student to meet regularly with the instructor one hour per week and to submit an amount of work equivalent to that required in 300-level dance and drama courses. Students are urged to begin discussion of their proposed individual study the semester before they hope to enroll, so that they can devise a proposal and seek departmental approval before the deadline.
FILM 231
Screenwriting
FILM 231
This course will explore what is particular about writing for the screen. Through weekly writing assignments, students examine the form and structure of the three-act feature film. Each student will work toward an outline of a feature screenplay and write the first 30 pages. This is a workshop class so students must always be prepared and ready to participate. This counts toward the production and screenwriting requirements for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111 or FILM 111. Generally offered every year.
FILM 258
The Horror Film
FILM 258
Beginning with F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" (1922), we will trace the evolution of the horror film over the last century, giving focus to several seminal films, including (but not limited to) Tod Browning's "Freaks," James Whale's "Bride of Frankenstein," George Romero's "Night of The Living Dead," William Friedkin's "The Exorcist," Dario Argento's "Suspiria" and John Carpenter's "Halloween." There also will be a creative writing component. Students will be required to pitch, synopsize and further develop an idea for an original horror film. This satisfies counts toward the film genre course requirement for the major. Permission of instructor required. No prerequisite. Generally offered every third year.