Benjamin Knapton is an independent Australian director who works across theatre, contemporary circus and film, as well as being the Associate Director of Brisbane-based Circa. He holds a BA in Applied Theatre, an MA in directing, and a practice-based PhD in directing. His Masters won the prestigious Philip Parsons Prize.
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In theatre, Ben co-wrote and directed GAIJIN, and was director, designer and dramaturg of HE DREAMED A TRAIN, which was nominated for 7 Matilda Awards. Both productions were programmed at Brisbane Powerhouse with GAIJIN going on to perform a second season at Garden’s Theatre and HE DREAMED A TRAIN being invited back for a second season at Brisbane Powerhouse. Ben wrote, directed and designed GENESIS, which was programmed as part of Brisbane Festival and he also adapted and directed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM for the Woodford Folk Festival. In 2018, Ben was the associate director and associate movement director on Brink Production’s MEMORIAL which performed seasons at Brisbane Festival, Adelaide Festival and London’s Barbican, receiving 5-star reviews from the UK's Stage and Guardian.
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In 2018, Benjamin was commissioned by the Commonwealth Games Arts and Culture Festival to create MALLAKHAMB MUMBAI. The show was subsequently invited to perform seasons at Sydney Festival, Royal Opera House Mumbai, Festival du Luxe, Sziget Festival and Escencia, Ciudad de Mexico, performing to 25,000 people. In 2019, MALLAKHAMB MUMBAI performed a sold-out-season at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai making history for being the first time Mallakhamb has been performed at the prestigious venue. Also as part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Benjamin created and directed the OFFICIAL WELCOME CEREMONY for the athlete’s village that was seen by 7000 people from 71 nations.
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In 2019, Benjamin was the inaugural director for CALLING HOME at HOTA on the Gold Coast, specially made for HOTA's outdoor amphitheatre stage. The show featured Camarata Orchestra, The Australian Voices, Lior, William Barton, Yirrmal, Parvyn Singh and Solli Raphael. Benjamin will create and direct a new version of CALLING HOME in December 2020. Also in 2020, Benjamin created and directed a new 40-chanel-video installation for Brisbane's Metro Arts as part of their final festival in Brisbane city.
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Benjamin worked as the producer and associate director on the film adaptation of Tim Winton’s THE TURNING: IMMUNITY, which had its Australian Premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival and its International Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
With Circa Ben was the revival director of Circa's WUNDERKAMMER which was programmed for a 6-month season at the Chamäleon Theatre in Berlin and he created and directed STRANGE FAMILIAR ANGEL for Brisbane Festival. Ben co-directed DEVANT VOS YEUX / BEFORE YOUR EYES for MA Scène Nationale in Montbéliard; HORIZON WITH ANGELS for Bleach Festival on the Gold Coast and LOVE SONG CIRCUS starring Katie Noonan, which toured Australia and received multiple 5-star reviews across the country. Benjamin also co-created and was associate director of WOLFGANG’S MAGICAL MUSICAL CIRCUS which has to-date performed 200 performances across 5 countries. Wolfgang was nominated for a 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children & Young People.
Also at Circa Ben was the associate director with Yaron Lifschitz on HOW LIKE AN ANGEL, which toured the UK in 2012 and 2013 including a sold-out season at the Barbican Centre. The show was subsequently programmed as part of the Lincoln Centre’s White Light Festival in New York, and in 2016 it was staged at Olavsfestdagene Festival in Norway. Ben was the associate director of WINGS OF DESIRE for International Dance Festival Birmingham starring musician and actor Goldie; ONE BEAUTIFUL THING for the inaugural AsiaTOPA Festival at Arts Centre Melbourne; ANGEL VARIATIONS for the Watch This Space program at the National Theatre in London; NOCTURNE for the Seoul Performing Arts Festival and ON AIR for the Out of the Box Festival for 3-8 Year Olds. At Circa Ben was also tour director and creative producer for numerous productions, tours and special projects across 30 countries.
As part of his training as a director, Ben received a rare initiation into the rehearsal room of Robert Lepage at his creation studio in Quebec City. During his two residencies Ben was a participant observer for the productions LIPSYNCH, THE NIGHTGALE AND OTHER SHORT FABLES, THE IMAGE MILL and Wagner’s RING CYCLE staged at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
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