Point Park University's Benjamin Mapp Receives Audelco Award, Following the Footsteps of Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and the Late Chadwick Boseman Alumni Profile
Meet Benjamin Mapp
- Job Title & Employer
- Actor
- Major/Program
- Musical Theatre
- Graduation
- 2007
- Hometown
- Louisville, Ky.
- High School
- Youth Performing Arts School
- Now Living In
- New York, N.Y.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Reading, traveling, cooking, real estate, cars
"I always loved the moments between classes or after a show. Being around my classmates was great. The musical theatre majors had a vast array of different personalities and good mayhem would ensue when we were together — whether onstage or off. Additionally, I will never forget Kiesha Lalama's morning jazz classes — they were brutal (but so important) and always a great time!"
You are a 2020 Audelco Award winner for Best Featured Actor in a Play. Tell us about this award and what receiving it means to you.
The Audelco Awards are known as the Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre or "VIV Awards." The awards promote and celebrate African American involvement in American theater. I was recognized for my role in Leaving the Blues, an off-Broadway show at The Flea Theater.
Winning this award was an incredible and unexpected honor — I froze when I heard my name. I am honored to be in a group of past winners who I look up to: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman. It means the world to be recognized by my peers in an incredibly tough industry.
Highlight your career path since graduating from Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts.
After graduation, I received my Actors' Equity Card from Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. From there, I moved to New York City with two suitcases and a dream. I hit the ground running, auditioning all the time. Since then, I've been featured in various films, television shows, commercials, off-Broadway, national/International tours and regional theatre.
- Tours: Disney's High School Musical, Riverdance, Fame
- Performance credits: Smokey Joe's Café, Hairspray, White Christmas, Holiday Inn
- TV: Mozart of the Jungle, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Kevin Can Wait, Sweetbitter
- Commercials: AT&T, DirecTV, Bud Light, McDonald's, Dannon, Samsung, Citibank
What are your most memorable experiences as a musical theatre major?
I always loved the moments between classes or after a show. Being around my classmates was great. The musical theatre majors had a vast array of different personalities and good mayhem would ensue when we were together — whether onstage or off. Additionally, I will never forget Kiesha Lalama's morning jazz classes — they were brutal (but so important) and always a great time!
What do you believe sets Point Park’s Conservatory of Performing Arts apart from other universities?
The Department of Dance because they continue to turn out top-notch talent.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
If you're thinking about going to Point Park, do your research. Make sure you know who your teachers are and know why you want to study with them. Also, college is a huge financial investment, so make sure you take that into consideration. There are no guarantees in show business.