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Ben MacEllen

@benmacellen

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Ben is an author, playwright, vegan, trans man, feminist, LGBTIQA+ advocate, public speaker, actor, & disabled creative.

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Audio: unidentified speaker responding to the Cornell 7 / #IAmJaneDoe.

I’ve tried to locate the original creator so I can credit her properly. If anyone knows who she is, please let me know. [Image description: Black, textured background with large distressed white capital letters reading, “I AM JANE DOE.”] by @benmacellen

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14 days ago

Vale Lorraine Bayly. My heart is breaking. 😪💔

From her being one of the original presenters on Play School when I was little, to her iconic role as Grace Sullivan in The Sullivans, Lorraine was a maternal figure to myself and generations. And as a playwright she was someone I always wanted to work with. by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

These two behind-the-scenes legends did an outstanding job as part of the world premiere season of The Placeholder at @fortyfivedownstairs.

Charlotte Fischer brought every facet of the production together as Stage Manager, while also being a tireless technician for every performance — calm, thorough, and utterly dependable.

Grace McLaughlin supported the cast with line learning and prompts, and always mucked in wherever needed with generosity, focus, and good humour.

Both Grace and Charlotte are graduates of @collarts, and I can’t wait to see them continue to shine in their respective fields. Thank you for your skill, care, and hard work — this show was stronger because of you.

Photo by @Cal.dib

#ThePlaceholder #StageManagement #TheatreLife #CollArts #MidsummaFestival taken in Naarm by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

The brilliant humans that made up the cast of ‘The Placeholder’ surprised me with the loveliest flowers on closing night, with Melanie Thoren also gifting me a beautiful bouquet—each thoughtful, vibrant, and full of love. So very grateful. taken in Dja Dja Wurrung Country by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

#theplaceholderplay #livetheatre #fortyfivedownstairs #midsummafestival #transstories by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 🏳️‍⚧️

We strive to make The Placeholder accessible for Deaf and Disabled people. Tonight’s special performance will be Auslan Interpreted

There’s still some tickets available but get in quick to not miss out!

🎟️ 🔗 Ticket link in bio

#auslan #accessible #midsumma taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

Another lovely audience review 👏

There’s only 4 more chances to see The Placeholder at @fortyfivedownstairs part of @midsummafestival

🎟️ 🔗 ticket link in bio by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

Audiences are LOVING The Placeholder 🏳️‍⚧️

See it yourself - ticket link in bio 🎟️ 🔗

Only until 8th of Feb! taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲

Thank you to everyone who has seen The Placeholder last week, the show is running until Sunday 8th Feb at @fortyfivedownstairs part of @midsummafestival

🎟️ Grab your tickets now, link in bio 🎟️ taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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8 months ago

🔔 FINAL WEEK 🔔

There are only 7 more performances of The Placeholder, don’t miss out on this “thought-provoking” (The Age) theatre piece

𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰:
📍Fortyfivedownstairs
🗓️ 28 Jan - 8 Feb 2026
⏰ 7.30pm (Tues-Sat), 5pm (Sun)
🎟️ Ticket link in bio taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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9 months ago

💫 Lovely words by @mymelbournearts, thanks @myronmy9

𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰:
📍Fortyfivedownstairs
🗓️ 28 Jan - 8 Feb 2026
⏰ 7.30pm (Tues-Sat), 5pm (Sun)
🎟️ Ticket link in bio taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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9 months ago

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 stars from Standing Inn-Ovation 👏

“Set against the harrowing backdrop of the marriage equality plebiscite, The Placeholder at the Midsumma Festival is a poignant kitchen drama that finds its heartbeat amongst a group of friends in a small-town regional home.“

Thanks Matt Bell for the lovely words.

📸 @darren.gill

𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰:
📍Fortyfivedownstairs
🗓️ 28 Jan - 8 Feb 2026
⏰ 7.30pm (Tues-Sat), 5pm (Sun)
🎟️ Ticket link in bio

#midsumma #theplaceholderplay #whatsonmelbourne #theatre #theatrereview taken in fortyfivedownstairs by @benmacellen

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9 months ago