Santa Fe is renowned for its rich cultural heritage; however, its theater scene once lagged behind the more established music, dance, and visual arts organizations in the city. When Robert Benedetti moved to Santa Fe in 2009, he observed a notable gap—the theater scene appeared to be struggling, with declining attendance and a scarcity of viable companies, leaving audiences with limited opportunities to experience high-quality productions.
Recognizing this gap, Benedetti, a seasoned professional in the film and theater worlds, saw potential for meaningful revitalization. With decades of experience in academia, film, television, and theater production as a director, producer, and educator, he took on the challenge of redefining the city’s relationship to live performance. This endeavor required not only expertise but also a clear and forward-thinking vision.
Benedetti found a like-minded partner in Nicholas Ballas, a former graduate student from Benedetti’s tenure as dean of the School of Theater at the California Institute of the Arts. Together, they established the New Mexico Actors Lab (NMAL) in 2015. Their goal was to create a company focused on actor-driven productions that utilized local talent and selected socially responsible plays to engage the community. Rather than simply adding another theater group to the mix, NMAL aimed to rebuild trust in live performance, demonstrating that Santa Fe audiences could appreciate and support excellence.
Under Benedetti’s leadership, NMAL gradually became a significant hub of regional artistic activity, suggesting that small, actor-driven productions could resonate with contemporary audiences. Over ten years, the company staged 22 productions, each thoughtfully curated to offer audiences a compelling mix of classic and contemporary works. The local weekly newspaper, the Santa Fe Reporter, described the company as “a reliable and trusted presence in the local arts scene.”
Among NMAL’s most notable early productions—19 of which were directed by Benedetti—was Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry, which explored themes of race, class, and human connection with a depth of emotion that became a hallmark of Benedetti’s approach. Other standout productions included The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, an intimate interpretation of the classic play, and A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, which offered a fresh and thought-provoking reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s original work. These productions helped solidify NMAL’s artistic reputation and cultivated a loyal following, suggesting that Santa Fe theater could hold its own alongside more established theater communities across the country. As the theater’s audience base grew, Benedetti and Ballas expanded their seasons and eventually moved into a flexible black box theater in the city’s emerging Siler-Rufina arts district, just two blocks from the world-famous immersive entertainment phenomenon, Meow Wolf.
Benedetti’s career before NMAL was undeniably impressive. A three-time Emmy Award winner, a Peabody Award recipient, and a veteran of film and television production, his name carried significant weight in both academic and entertainment circles. His experience as the Dean of Theater at CalArts and the Chair of Acting at the Yale Drama School provided him with an academic foundation that deeply influenced his directing style.
Unlike some directors who prioritize elaborate staging and effects, Benedetti championed a minimalist, actor-driven philosophy. He believed that great theater emerged not from spectacle alone but from the depth and authenticity of performance—a principle that was clearly reflected in NMAL’s intimate, performance-focused productions. His teaching legacy also played a pivotal role in shaping NMAL’s approach. His textbooks, including The Actor at Work—which has remained in print for over five decades through eleven editions—have become essential resources for actors worldwide, reinforcing his belief that performance should be both personal and technically precise.
While few figures in entertainment have publicly credited a single book as foundational to their career, Australian actor Hugh Jackman has often spoken about how The Actor at Work profoundly influenced his craft. The Hollywood star, known for his roles on Broadway and in film, backed NMAL with a $15,000 challenge grant, an act of support that brought national attention to the theater company and underscored Benedetti’s enduring influence.
This support not only validated Benedetti’s impact but also helped strengthen NMAL’s financial foundation, enabling the company to expand its reach and continue producing work of a high standard. It was a notable moment of artistic recognition that highlighted the lasting significance of Benedetti’s teachings across generations of performers.
In 2024, after a decade at the helm of NMAL, Benedetti and his long-time creative partner Ballas stepped down as managing director and artistic director, respectively. Their decision to retire was not a departure from the world of theater but a carefully considered transition designed to infuse the company with fresh energy and ideas for its next chapter. The leadership torch was passed to Artistic Director Emily Rankin and Managing Director Katie Olivant, supported by an expanded Board of Directors committed to ensuring NMAL’s continued success.
Benedetti’s stewardship over the years has left the company with a solid financial foundation, including a $200,000 endowment to support its activities. He will remain active as a mentor and consultant, helping to ensure that NMAL continues to uphold the artistic standards he worked so diligently to establish.
Benedetti’s influence extends far beyond Santa Fe’s theater community. Over his six-decade career, he has played a significant role in shaping how actors are trained, how directors develop their vision, and how audiences engage with theater. His four textbooks remain widely respected in the industry, his productions have inspired countless actors, and his impact on regional and national theater continues to resonate.
While his retirement marks the end of an era, Benedetti’s legacy remains deeply embedded in the New Mexico Actors Lab and the broader performance world. NMAL’s success stands as a testament to his vision, demonstrating that when crafted with care and dedication, theater has the power to transform communities, inspire generations, and elevate artistic standards.
Published by Tom W.
