At YATS, we’re used to young stars shining brightly on stage—but some of the most remarkable magic happens behind the scenes. For over a decade, one parent has quietly been shaping the world our actors perform in, one expertly crafted set at a time: Ben Bentz.
Father of Pierre—who will be taking the stage this summer in our alumni show—Ben has been part of the YATS family since 2013, and his impact has been monumental. From that moment on, he’s never stopped building, dreaming, and elevating our productions to new heights. Here’s just a glimpse of his behind-the-scenes brilliance:
- The magical backdrop from Beauty and the Beast Jr. (2014), [later repurposed for Fiona’s tower in Shrek the Musical (2024)]
- The car in Grease
- The cruise ship in Anything Goes
- The classroom in Fame Jr.
- The slick office in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
- The houses in Fiddler on the Roof and Oklahoma!
- The New York streets for Guys and Dolls and Annie
- And yes, the unforgettable cow in Into the Woods
But this summer, Ben is taking things to a whole new level. For our 2025 production of Oliver!, he’s building his most ambitious set yet: 19th-century London, right on the stage of Le Point d’Eau in Ostwald. Unveiled at our first rehearsal in early June, the set design left cast and crew in awe. The plan? A sprawling 6-meter-wide structure that stretches across the full width of the stage, complete with two staircases, a raised walkway, and a bridge. Some elements will be fixed, others movable, allowing the scene to shift and evolve as the story unfolds.
It’s no small feat—but then again, Ben’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. He says he keeps coming back because of how YATS helps young people grow into confident, capable adults. We love Ben si much that among our merch you’ll find a tribute to him: our iconic “Ben Built” baseball caps! But as Ben builds his biggest set yet, we’ve run into a small challenge: our microphones. They’ve served us well, but they’re starting to struggle—especially when facing a stage as massive and complex as this one.
This is where you come in. To help our young actors be heard in every corner of Ben’s London, we’re raising funds for a new set of microphones. Your support will ensure that every solo, shout, whisper, and harmony can rise above the rooftops—doing full justice to Ben’s spectacular set and our phenomenal cast. Please consider donating to our microphone crowdfund. With your help, our actors’ voices can soar just as high as Ben’s ambitions.