I grew up in North Pole, Alaska, and spent my summers shuttling between Alaska, Los Angeles, and New York City for dance intensives. My father and mother were very invested in my professional development and accompanied me to these cities following the advice of my dance teachers back home. Like you, I was one of the best in my classes, and I outgrew the local opportunities in remote Alaska.
As my passion for performing grew and my focus became sharper, I attended UNCSA to round out my repertoire in high school as a dancer. I then made the move to The New York Film Academy, and as the saying goes, “I moved to New York and never wanted to leave!” I worked with people who were on Broadway, off-Broadway, in the business, and everywhere in between. I collaborated with other students for their projects across the school’s curriculum, but my main focus remained Musical Theater Performance.
I’m CorBen,
It’s a pleasure to meet you!
Upon graduation, I fed right into The Disney Cruise Lines where I worked as a performer on, “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” and “Disney Dreams.” Once I had gotten my Sea Legs, I made it to dry land where I booked, “Sister Act” and at long last, I earned my Actor’s Equity Card. [Pause for choir].
I know we’re sitting here having giggles, but earning that AEA Card was no easy feat. But the point is to show you it’s possible. I’ve put together a course that you can purchase either in pieces as you need them or all at once, so that you can map out a clear path to your own definition of success and you won’t have to walk that path alone like I did.
Now, I am based in New York City having just finished a three-year-run with “Beetlejuice” on the Broadway Tour. In the winter of 2024, I sat down with industry experts, mentors and friends alike to begin putting together this course. Now, I have a Podcast and a Web Series available on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube because, “Business Literacy For The Artist” is an LLC and a fully up and running business.
But enough about me! I’d like to learn more about you. Life and careers eb and flow so whether you’re just approaching the starting gate, deep in the trenches and nearly burned out or you’ve been focused on other meaningful things like raising a family, and you’re ready to get back up to speed, I’m here for you. I’m based in Eastern Standard Time, and I’ve got a Calendly ready to go and we can chat for 30 minutes about where you feel you would like to “go” next.
If you’re not quite ready for that, that’s alright! Follow me on social media for little snippets of the course, interviews with industry insiders, and thought pieces on the latest news from The Arts World and get to know me through that.
In work mode, you’ll find me at Steps on Broadway where I once taught as part of a work study program on their behalf to make classes available for every budget. I was also there with my friend, Stephanie as her assistant for The Verdon Fosse Organization. I’m frequently seeing shows on and off Broadway and my favorite places to meet up with my fellow artists are usually somewhere up in West Harlem. Outside of work, I spend a lot of time traveling to see friends where I so enjoy being “the fun Uncle,” practicing mindfulness and breathwork, doing contrast therapy, and golfing!
There’s so much we could talk about, but I need to run and so do you! So let me know if you want to have a meeting or if you have questions about the course. Otherwise, I’ll see you on Social Media!
Thanks for being here,
CorBen
Having likely walked a similar path—from a small town in Alaska to the Broadway stage—I deeply understand what it means to dream without connections, to want something so badly that you’re willing to follow it wherever it leads. I didn’t have a roadmap or an inside track—just a vision and the courage to take the leap. What began as an act of faith became one of the most meaningful and transformative journeys of my life in this industry. I learned through the school of hard knocks, partially fumbling my way through the endless maze of challenges, disappointments, opportunities, personalities, and all that show business throws at you. But there is a better way… I made the mistakes, learned the lessons, and created an easier path to achieve your artistic dreams. That is Business Literacy for The Artist.
That experience is why I’m so passionate about guiding emerging artists. I find real fulfillment in helping people uncover their purpose through the work they love—watering their gardens before they even realize what’s capable of growing. I help artists see the potential they can’t yet see in themselves, and I ask the deeper questions: Who are you? What do you want? And who are you becoming as you pursue it?
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