Benjamin Gonzales is an associate professor who teaches in the areas of playwriting, directing, theatre history, and literature at Viterbo University. He is a theatre generalist with experience in lighting design, set design, sound design, technical direction, and production management. His specialties include writing verbatim plays that highlight the stories of students who have in some way been marginalized.
This past year, Benjamin concluded his service as the National Chair of the American College Theatre Festival’s National Playwriting Program and had previously served as the inaugural Representation, Equity, and Diversity Coordinator. He began his leadership service with the organization as the Regional Vice-Chair of the National Playwriting Program for Region 7.
Honors Benjamin has received include Outstanding Faculty Achievement in the field of Lighting Design from KCACTF (2009), The Horace Robinson/Jack Watson Award for Outstanding Service to Students from KCACTF Region 7 (2017), and the Viterbo University Outstanding Teacher of the Year (2025). He has received several KCACTF Meritorious Achievement awards in the areas of Lighting Design, Direction, Sound Design, Playwriting, as well as for his support of students presenting new works. On February 20th 2026, Benjamin received the ACTF Gold Medallion.