Mark Benzel

Mark Benzel is a Minneapolis-based actor, deviser, and teaching artist who has created dozens of original shows with companies such as Sandbox Theatre, Live Action Set, Red Eye Theater, and Transatlantic Love Affair, and is co-founder of The Improv Movement Project. He has studied clown with Pierre Byland and Philippe Gaulier, and physical theatre and devising with Jon Ferguson, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and Pig Iron Theatre. Benzel is a leading member of the Minneapolis theatre company Simple Machines, whose debut production 'Say When' (co-written by Benzel and Matt Spring with the ensemble) premiered in Park Square Theatre's inaugural LAB Series in March 2026. Simple Machines brings 'Say When' plus a week of workshops including EPIC Physical Storytelling to Dell'Arte International in Blue Lake, CA in September 2026.