Meet Ben Massouras | Musical Theatre Performer & Digital Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Massouras and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, what makes you happy? Why?
Performing makes me happy because it gives me the outlet I need, I enjoy taking people to a place away from what they are currently dealing with, even if for a few hours, and I love the relationships that I form with the family of performers and crew. I have been performing since the age of 6 years old, so I do not know much of a life without it. When the pandemic hit, I was performing on Disney Cruise Lines and really had to assess what to do in the moment as I watched the career I had envisioned for my self be decimated. Fortunately, I was able to work performing again after more than 14 months without it in July of 2021, and I learned to have a new appreciation and outlook for what my life was going to look like performing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a musical theatre performer, and I started when I was 6 years old when we were living in Maui on a TV show called Gamekids. I started in a camp, and the producer of the camp also had this TV show that was made up of youth on the island that could sing, dance, and act. I went up to the producer at 6 years old and told him I want to be on the show. He didn’t believe me, and I had never had any training. At the current time, there were no open positions on the show, but about 4 months later, my mom received a phone call asking if I could come in to audition for the show. This audition consisted of me attending a dance rehearsal, and my mom filmed the choreography while I tried to pick it up, having no prior dance experience. I would go home every night and practice the choreography to the videos and taught myself the different numbers. Eventually, I became a part of the show, and when my family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when I was 9 years old, I auditioned for my first show, Peter Pan, and was cast as Starkey the Pirate. I was so excited, and from there, I performed in various youth theatres as well as professionally and have never stopped. It was not easy to get to where I am today, and the pandemic really changed my outlook on performing. I realized for me personally to perform, I always wanted another form of income, so I received my degree in digital marketing during the pandemic and now work as a digital marketing professional as well as performer. I want the world to know that it takes lots of strength, commitment, thick skin to continue as a performer, and I had to develop that over the years to get to where I am. It also requires maintaining connections, being a great person to work with, and keeping kindness at the forefront, all above talent.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Arizona, I DEFINITELY would take them up to Sedona for the day. I would take them up there, hike Bell Rock, find a waterfall somewhere to go to, and stay at the most beautiful resort. We would shop downtown and visit all the shops while eating fudge and ice cream, and we would end the night with dinner at Cucina Rustica, one of my favorite places! In Phoenix, I would take them to see a show at The Phoenix Theatre Company or Arizona Broadway Theatre, take them out to fun bars downtown including Bitter and Twisted, Lucky’s, Palma, Rough Riders, Valley Bar, Hanny’s, and Killer Whale Sex Club. I also would find a concert at the Van Buren and take them to Ziggy’s after for Pizza and a drink. I would take them to Old Town Scottsdale and we would shop around Fashion Square and eat at Buck and Rider or Steak 44, one of my favorites. I also would hike Camelback one morning and get coffee at Hava Java and get breakfast at the Breakfast Club in Old Town Scottsdale. We also could take a cycling class at the Madison Improvement Club or Power + Flow, and eat acai bowls afterwards. I would show them around downtown Tempe, ASU’s campus and where I went to school for my undergrad, and eat at Oregano’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say that my family deserves all of the credit for my successes. They have been there every step of the way, whether it is emotional support while I am away for long periods of time, a rock to always come home to, and supporting me by attending all of my performances and coming out to visit me. Since I was 6 years old, my mom was driving me to dance classes, voice lessons, rehearsals, and a crazy show performance schedule. She always did so graciously, and when the time came where she went back to work, she made arrangements to ensure that I would still be able to pursue my passion and make it to every rehearsal, show, and class.

Website: benmassouras.com

Instagram: @benmassouras

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-massouras-8b40a819/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.massouras/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@benmassouras?lang=en