Ben Russman, PhD Student

Ben Russman is a scholar and musician whose work concentrates on the role of music in the dramatic arts, with particular interest in the American musical and Broadway theater. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wesleyan University (‘21), as well as a Master of Music in Music Composition and Theory from the Longy School of Music of Bard College (‘23). His research combines theory and analysis with historical inquiry to examine the unique cultural and musical impacts of musical theater. This passion for theater also manifests in his participation as a musician and performer in various productions, which he views as both personal artistic expression and as invaluable experience for his scholarly writing. Another area of research interest is in ludomusicology, where he combines a lifelong love of gaming with investigations into the narrative and aesthetic goals of video games of all genres. In his free time, Russman can be found attempting to master new instruments, writing his own compositions, watching baseball, gaming, or hanging out with his cat, Gus.