Radical Ideas, Bold Theater—How The Return of Benjamin Lay is Sparking Change

What happens when history, activism, and theater collide? The producers of The Return of Benjamin Lay break it down.

What happens when a story refuses to be forgotten? The Return of Benjamin Lay isn’t just a play—it’s a powerful lesson in courage, creativity, and using your voice for change. In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with the producers of the production coming to The Sheen Center this March to talk about bringing this revolutionary abolitionist’s story to the stage.

You’ll hear how bold storytelling can challenge the status quo, why creative work has the power to shift perspectives, and what you can do to make your own impact. If you’re a storyteller, entrepreneur, or changemaker, this episode is for you. And if you can, go see the show at The Sheen Center, March 14 – April 6, 2025—it’s one you won’t forget.

JOSEPH W. RODRIGUEZ is an actor, writer, and Producing Artistic Director of Playhouse Creatures (where he has produced over thirty plays). For PCTC: STILL LIFE (with Ancram Opera House), EXECUTION OF JUSTICE, The Two-Character Play ( 2017 New York/ The Duo Theatre), New Orleans (2018 Southern Rep); Mrs. Packard (with Bridge Rep), One Flea Spare, More Stars Then There Are In Heaven, Hunter/ Gatherers, Charlotte The Destroyer, Love Song, 6xTenn, Closer, The Libertine (The Kirk, Theatre Row), and The Libertine (with Bridge Rep – IRNE Nomination, Best Actor). Other NYC: Buffalo Hair with Jeffrey Wright (The Public Theater); The Normal Heart with Bobby Cannavale (The Duo Theatre); Richard III with Austin Pendleton, Macbeth – title role (New Perspectives); Linnehan’s Daughter (Naked Angels); Landscape of the Body, Hurlyburly (T. Schreiber Studios); Innocent Erendira – world premiere with Miriam Colon (Repertorio Espanol). Regional: Hamlet with Mark Rylance, King Lear with F. Murray Abraham (A.R.T.); Iphigenia (The Huntington); Children of the Sun (The Kennedy Center); A Streetcar Named Desire, American Buffalo, Safe Sex, A Christmas Carol (The New Ehrlich Boston); Vieux Carre, Breaking the Code – Best Supporting Actor, Boston Herald (The Triangle Theatre); The Boys Next Door with Lance Reddick (Worcester Forum Theatre). TV/ FILM: Glory, The Opposite of Sex, Desolation Angels, Against the Law, Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Another World, the titular character in Sci-Fi Channel’s Cameron Grant. He is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. 

 

ARSALAN SATTARI PRODUCTIONS: Since 2012 Arsalan Sattari Productions has commissioned, developed, licensed, and produced shows by world-class artists, to critical acclaim and commercial success, within the London fringe, West End, and festivals. They are interested in new writing, UK and European premieres, historical plays and characters rarely portrayed on stage. They are proud to have built a reputation of producing top acclaimed American playwrights in the UK. Arsalan is an Honorary Associate Producer at the multi-award winning Finborough Theatre, London, and Creative Director and CEO of StageBlock, working with some of the most renowned talents and global institutions to bring performing arts into the wider art market. 

Learn more and get tickets.

https://playhousecreatures.org/events/the-return-of-benjamin-lay/

https://www.sheencenter.org/events/detail/the-return-of-benjamin-lay

 

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