“The musical’s hero, Jeremy, {was} handled terrifically by the always appealing {Ben} Ribler.”
“{Ben] Ribler is the standout in director Laura Giannarelli’s staging...”
“Ben Ribler, as Alfred Packer, carries the show on his shoulders... just like a good leading man should do. His characterization... is just terrific.”
With some of the puppets and cast of The Kennedy Center’s Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (2022)
Photo Credit: RJ Pavel
Public Reading of Ben Ribler’s The Stallion Express, hosted by Adventure Theatre MTC and 4615 Theatre Company (2020)
Ben Ribler (He/Him) is a non-union (EMC) actor, playwright, and puppeteer. Born and raised in Northern Virginia with a degree in Theater from George Mason University, he continues to work in the DC Metro Area, both on stage and screen. He is a Helen Hayes Award-Nominee in the category of Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical for his 2023 performance as Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten! at Toby’s Dinner Theatre.
As an actor, he has worked with DC-area theatre companies such as Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Imagination Stage and Washington Stage Guild, and at venues across the country, from New York City’s The Town Hall to The Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.
Onscreen, his work can be seen in the feature films Tapawingo (starring Jon Heder and Billy Zane) and Josh Taylor's Prom Date, as well as Investigation Discovery’s Evil Kin, along with several webseries and short films.
Ben's original plays have been performed as part of professional readings hosted by 4615 Theatre Company and Adventure Theatre MTC, as well as in University festivals, such as at George Mason University and The Catholic University of America. His profile on New Play Exchange contains a comprehensive list of works.
He is also a puppeteer, with experience portraying many different styles of puppets and types of characters- from the cuddly Ducklings of The Kennedy Center’s Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! to the demonic and hilariously crass Tyrone in The Keegan Theatre’s production of Hand to God.
When not performing or writing, Ben enjoys playing video games, watching movies and spending time with loved ones.
He also enjoys meeting new people, so please feel free to reach out here!
- current projects -
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Presented by Toby’s Dinner Theatre
“Tony Manero, a Brooklynite paint store clerk, spends his weekends at a local disco, where he moonlights as the king of the dance floor. When he and mesmerizing dancer Stephanie enter a dance competition, the pair’s professional partnership blossoms and challenges both to reflect on what’s important in life amidst rising social tensions and disillusionment. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER transports you back to the era of disco balls, platform boots, and white suits. Burn, baby, burn!”
Ben plays the role of Bobby, the conflicted young friend of Tony’s, in this electric production, balancing disco hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Disco Inferno,” “If I Can’t Have You” and “More Than A Woman” with the original film’s ‘70s New York grit and a surprisingly effective meditation on racism, classism and toxic masculinity.
The show performs at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland, from August 22nd to November 2nd, 2025. More information can be found here.
TAPAWINGO
Presented by Foggy Bottom Pictures
“Tapawingo follows a 30-year-old oddball named Nate Skoog who works a dead-end mailroom job and still lives in his mom’s house. When Nate’s boss orders him to pick up his social misfit son, Oswalt, from school— it becomes clear the kid is being bullied. Nate finally gets the opportunity to do what he’s always wanted: mercenary for hire. Nate forms a team of crack-shot wackadoos to protect Oswalt from the town’s family of bullies who seem to have taken an especially keen liking to his client.”
Ben joins the cast of this star-studded comedy, featuring Napoleon Dynamite’s Jon Heder, Titanic’s Billy Zane, John Ratzenberger, Gina Gershon, Chris Gethard, Jay Pichardo and many others, with direction by the award-winning Dylan K. Narang.
Tapawingo had its Virginia premiere at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville, Virginia on October 28th, 2023, and has since had subsequent premieres across the country, including showings in Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas and, most recently, at 2025’s Comic-Con. Stay tuned for information on a wider release!
