“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
Script for Ben Ribler’s A Heaven of Hell, featured in a staged reading produced by Playground (2025).
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 newest play, the family friendly Tall Tale of a Wolfman, will make its debut at District Fringe 2026. A comprehensive list of works can be found on New Play Exchange.
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 -
INDECENT
Presented by 1st Stage
“From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, a deeply moving play inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance”—a play seen by some as a seminal work of Jewish culture, and by others as an act of traitorous libel. Indecent charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.”
Ben is honored to join the cast of this exceptional and highly emotional play, filled with tenderness and heartbreak and tough questions and joyous song.
The show runs at 1st Stage in McLean, Virginia, from June 4th to the 21st. Find more information and get tickets here.
TALL TALE OF A WOLFMAN
Presented at District Fringe 2026
“This play for all ages follows Mia, a happy and wildly imaginative eight-year old who delights in the exaggerated stories her mind creates. But when the local Town Criers come with news of a Wolfman in the nearby woods, Mia's imagination begins to run wild - but not in a good way. As the Criers, her brother and her peers continue to embellish the truth about this monster, Mia must learn the importance of being truthful and how to prevail over her fear. This play, filled with humor, heart and a few family-friendly scares, is a joyful and cathartic hour of theater that will charm and comfort audiences both young and old.”
Ben’s new play makes its world premiere in Washington, DC this summer, as part of the second annual District Fringe Festival. Directed by Youri Kim, this production will play a limited two-performance engagement. More information will be revealed soon!
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.
The film is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD, as well as for digital purchase! For more updates and information, check out the film’s page here.
