Karina Aviva Benjamin

Director Movement Director Choreographer Facilitator

(She/Her) The type of work I am interested in creating is often political, influenced or based in movement and physical theatre, and stems from authentic storytelling. My practice encourages the creation and impact of work to be guided and in harmony with the natural world or in revolt against societally constructed 'norms' that traditionally go unquestioned. Accessibility, inclusivity, and authenticity are at the core of my work and I am most propelled by characters or stories that cut through social prejudice to the power of truth.

As a Queer Female Indigenous migrant artist, the daughter of refugees, the sibling of brilliant Deaf/differently-abled humans, I have grown up in the intersection of multiple marginalised identifiers that have provided a lifetime of stories to tell and perspectives to investigate. My need to create original works stems from rarely finding spaces in the mainstream theatre industry that support or allow the diverse factors of my identity, and so carving out creative pathways has, at times, been more like plowing through heavy snow. What has been most exciting is meeting other artists to collaborate with or support through their own such plowing. My hope for the future is to build an expansive foundation to uplift unheard voices, to create spaces where tangible progress and healing can be part of the fabric of theatre making, and to develop healthier processes and environments for creators and audiences alike.

Credits

DIRECTOR, Transformations (Opera), Carnegie Mellon, 2024
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR, Epic Stages, National Youth Theatre, 2024
DIRECTOR/DIVISOR, Sin Eater, Camden Fringe-The Cockpit, 2024
CHOREOGRAPHER/MOVEMENT, Romeo & Juliet, FSU/ASOLO, 2024
DIRECTOR, Miss Julie, FSU/ASOLO, 2024
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR, Three Sisters, FSU/ASOLO, 2023
DIRECTOR, The Tempest, Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, 2023
DIRECTOR, House of Bernarda Alba, East 15, 2023
DIRECTOR, Der Kaiser Von Atlantis (Opera), Carnegie Mellon, 2023
DIRECTOR, The Rape of Lucrece, Corbett Theatre, 2022
DIRECTOR, All The World Is Silent, East 15, 2022
DEVISOR/CO-DIRECTOR, Umanamente, Berlin Performing Arts Festival, 2017-2020
DIRECTOR, Hillary Christ Superstar, Barrington Stage Company, 2017
DIRECTOR, New Light Shine, Nuance Theatre Company 2016
DIRECTOR, End of All Things, Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center 2012
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Taking Steps, dir. Sam Buntrock, Barrington Stage Company
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, The Birds, dir. Julianne Boyd, Barrington Stage Company
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Love's Labours Lost, dir. Erin Rose, Tudor Theatricals
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Waiting For Lefty, dir. John DeSotelle, Nuance Theatre Co.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Carthage, dir. Davis Mcallum, National Playwrights Conference

Training

East 15- Theatre Directing MFA (with Distinction)
University of the Arts - Theatre BFA
Moscow Art Theatre- Fellowship
Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center- Apprenticeship
Viewpoints mentored by Mary Overlie
Frantic Assembly advanced training and R&D
Gecko Theatre Residency
Tara Theatre Residency
Temper Theatre Residency and R&D
20+years Ballet and dance

Location

London

Experience

5-10 years

Art forms / Disciplines

  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Live art
  • Opera
  • Radio/Audio
  • Theatre / Live perfomance

What I do

  • Choreography
  • Devising
  • Directing
  • Dramaturgy
  • Facilitating
  • Languages
  • Movement Direction
  • Physical Theatre / Mime
  • Site Responsive/Immersive
  • Teaching / Coaching
  • Theatre making
  • Working with Deaf artists
  • Working with Deaf non-professional adults / children
  • Working with disabled artists
  • Working with disabled non-professional adults / children
  • Working with learning disabled adults / children
  • Working with young people
  • Working with young people with special educational needs
  • Workshopping & Development
  • Writing

Additional Languages

Romanian, French, Spanish, American Sign Language, German, Russian, Hebrew, some BSL

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