Jacob ben Widmar

Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre

Jacob ben Widmar (he/him) is obtaining his MFA in Directing from Florida State University and earned his BFA in Music, Dance, and Theatre from Brigham Young University. He has been an instructor at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and Florida State University, where he taught dance, theatre, and directing courses. Jacob has been a professional actor for over 25 years. On Broadway, he was seen in Xanadu, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Book of Mormon, No, No, Nannette! (Encores!) and Radio City Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall, directed and choreographed by Emmy winner Mia Michaels). He was in the first national tours of Mary Poppins and Book of Mormon, among others. Jacob has had the opportunity to originate roles such as Will Scarlett in Douglas Carter Beane’s Hood and Bobby Sherin in Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing. Other credits include Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus, Goodspeed Opera House, Ogunquit Playhouse, The Old Globe, Signature Theatre D.C., and a Broadway Guest Artist portraying Olaf in Frozen aboard the Disney Wonder. His portrayal of Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street at North Shore earned him an IRNE Nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Directing and choreographic credits include Broadway’s High School Throwback (starring Tony nominee Grey Henson and Tony winner Bonnie Milligan), 9-5 The Musical, Natasha Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, Dragons Love Tacos, and Romeo and Julian- A Queer Retelling of a Shakespeare Classic. T.V./Film credits include Hunters, General Hospital, Dancing With The Stars, Saturday Night Live, and The Terminal. He is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and AGVA.