hello!
Benjamin Ward is a true creative multi-hyphenate - working as a composer-lyricist, music director, pianist and conductor across the UK, NYC and beyond.
As a writer, Ben is currently developing a new musical based on the life of Alan Turing with collaborator Timothy Michuda - TURING recently received a developmental reading in Philadelphia as part of Theatre on the Verge’s New Musicals Festival, where it won 9 awards including ‘Best Musical’ and ‘Best Lyrics’, and a world-premier production at Chicago’s DePaul University in the summer of 2024.
Ben’s two-hander song cycle YOU AND I has released an acclaimed concept EP featuring Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini. The show also received development as part of Emerging Artist Theatre’s Spark Theatre Festival in NYC, presented a first-look concert at the Phoenix Arts Club in London, and is appearing in concert at 54 Below in early 2025, featuring Heartstopper’s Bradley Riches.
As a music director and pianist, Ben has worked on a wide range of London shows-in-concert, including BARE: A POP OPERA, EDGES and ORDINARY DAYS, and has often been noted in reviews for his engaging piano playing and instinctive understanding of the relationship between music, accompaniment and text. In autumn 2024, Ben served as music supervisor for the off-West End transfer of [TITLE OF SHOW] at the Southwark Playhouse. Ben also works as a cabaret accompanist, including as MD to TikTok’s Henry Calvert for his hit solo show GEEKING OUT.
After working on Carner and Gregor’s ISLAND SONG in both London and NYC, Ben joined Sam and Derek’s music team, and has since worked with them on a variety of projects including as music associate and AMD on UNLOCK’D at the Phoenix Theatre Company in Arizona.
Ben received his master’s degree in Writing and Design for Musical Theatre from Berklee College of Music, where he studied on a scholarship under such industry giants as Adam Gwon, Marcy Heisler and Brian Usifer. He received his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and also undertook additional studies at New York University, the Los Angeles College of Music and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Ben is a proud member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, the Dramatists' Guild of America, and the Musicians’ Union.
“Musical director Ben Ward... mixes virtuosity with sensitivity, following the mood of the lyrics with a conductor’s flair and judgement, seamlessly connecting the song vignettes with an invisible thread.”
“Ben Ward... demonstrates superb skill, never missing a beat throughout the performance. ”
“The songs... are a huge credit to the show, with beautiful lyrics... full of potential and promise, YOU AND I is sure to be a future hit.”
“Ben Ward... not only provides flawless accompaniment... but also adds to the humour with his well-timed lines and interactions.”
“The challenging score is played with remarkable ease by music director Ben Ward, and his leadership of the vocal talent of the cast leads to satisfying close harmonies.”