‘Center Stage With Ben Ahlers’ this Thursday at ICCC
Event will serve as a fundraiser for the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association
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The acting career of Ben Ahlers has recently soared to meteoric heights.
That doesn't mean the 2015 Fort Dodge Senior High School graduate has forgotten the importance of his roots.
Ahlers is returning to Fort Dodge this Thursday for a one-night event at Decker Auditorium on the campus of Iowa Central Community College. The "Center Stage With Ben Ahlers" show is being sponsored by the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association, with all proceeds going to support the FDFAA.
Limited VIP tickets are available for a face-to-face, meet-and-greet session at 5:30 p.m. Doors open for general admission at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person or $50 for the VIP package. All students - from grades K-12 through college - will be admitted for free.
"One of the things that makes me the most proud of Ben is that no matter how exciting his career becomes or how many incredible opportunities come his way, he hasn't forgotten the community that supported him along the way," said Shelly Bottorff, executive director of the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association and Ahlers' aunt. "In the middle of filming HBO's 'The Gilded Age,' wrapping up 'Death of a Salesman' on Broadway and juggling so many other projects, he's generously giving his time to come home and connect with people of all ages.
"The fact that he agreed to use that time to give back and raise funds for the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association makes this even more meaningful. His accomplishments are certainly something to celebrate, but the person he has become is what makes me the proudest."
Ahlers will be on stage answering pre-show questions from fans and community members. All submissions must be emailed to fdfinearts@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Ahlers, who turns 30 this week, recently concluded his breakthrough role as Happy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" to wrap up a five-month Broadway stint. He received a Theater World Outstanding Broadway Debut award for the performance.
As he navigated his new Broadway territory, Ahlers was also in the process of revisiting his role as Jack Trotter for new episodes of "The Gilded Age" on HBO. The hit series is expected to release its fourth season of shows this fall.
Ahlers has been busy on the big screen as well, co-starring in a recently-released Netflix movie, "Little Brother," with John Cena, Eric André, Michelle Monaghan and a host of others.
Bottorff knows Ahlers is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to return home and touch base with the community that helped shape him both personally and professionally.
"His heart will be full after seeing familiar faces of the people from his hometown community come together," Bottorff said. "I love the fact that he agreed to do this 'Inside the Actor's Studio' style. We want the community to ask questions...what's it like living in New York City? What was it like meeting Laurie Metcalf for the first time? Does John Cena look as big in person? What advice would you give to an aspiring actor from the Midwest?
"This gives us a chance to live vicariously through him for a brief moment."