Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
Benjamin Maio Mackay (born 9 September 1999) is an Australian actor, director, writer, podcaster and singer. He most notably hosts the entertainment podcast Benjamin Maio Mackay's Talk 2 Me.
Early life
Maio Mackay was born on 9 September 1999 in Adelaide, the first son of Marisa and Mark. He grew up in Glenelg, an suburb in Adelaide.
According to an interview on ABC Radio National, Benjamin stated that he completed homeschooling in 2015. Benjamin attests his love of performing to first seeing Phantom of the Opera at age 3.
Career
Benjamin Maio Mackay is an Australian actor, director, writer, singer, producer, host and podcaster. He is the owner/founder of Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage; a production company specialising in producing exciting, innovative theatre and online content.
Preachrs Podcast started as a Doctor Who podcast, which was successful and lead to Benjamin working for the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation. The podcast turned into 4 live touring shows, written, directed and starring Benjamin. The shows played to critical and commercial success all around Australia. The live shows also featured comedian Rob Lloyd (Comedian).
Benjamin went on to produce, adapt, direct and perform in the world premiere of Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live. The show opened in the Adelaide Fringe 2015. A revised version of the show began its Australian tour Australia in 2016 to 5 star reviews. The tour will again star, be directed, produced and adapted by Benjamin. The tour has played Sydney, Adelaide, Mount Gambier and is returning to Adelaide in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe. Benjamin was nominated for "Best Actor in a Play," "Best Director of a Play" for his work on Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live. The show was also nominated for "Best Play" in the 2016 Broadway World Theatrical Awards. The show is reportedly finishing its tour after the Adelaide return season in early 2017.
His podcast, Benjamin Maio Mackay's Talk 2 Me is an entertainment chat show and has featured a wide range of celebrities. The podcast has a large following and also reviews films, theatre and DVDs on the podcast.
In 2015 Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage and Benjamin Maio Mackay alongside Matthew Reilly announced an audio drama adaptation of Reilly's best-selling novel Ice Station. A live version was performed in 2016. "Matthew Reilly’s Ice Station Live" was performed in the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and the live show piloted the first 3 episodes of the audio drama. Details of the project can be found at www.icestationlive.com or in a video published on the site. Four cast members, including Maio Mackay appeared at Supanova Pop Culture convention to promote the project. It received audience and critical acclaimAs of November 2016 no further details of the project have been confirmed, sparking rumours the pilot was not picked up by Matthew Reilly.
Benjamin before founding Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage worked extensively in Australian theatre. He has performed in more than 30 musicals and more than 40 stage shows. He is a trained pianist, singer and voice over artist.
Benjamin announced that he is producing an audio drama version of the Australian series The Phoenix Files. He announced the project in conjunction with author Chris Morphew. The first of 3 instalments is set for a late 2017 release. Maio Mackay is adapting and directing the project
Personal life
Benjamin in addition to his performing writes film reviews and considers himself a lover of all things TV, Film and novels. He is a well-known fan of Nashville (TV series) and offers political and social commentary on his Twitter account. He pledges support to the Australian Labour Party. Benjamin is a vocal atheist and a feminist. He was actively protesting US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in the lead up to the 2016 election. Will Smith (comedian) joined Benjamin on election day to discuss the "devastating results."
He has remained friends with podcast guests Ed Amatrudo, Wil Anderson, Justin Hamilton and Kurt Phelan.
He currently resides in Adelaide, South Australia.
Selected Theatrical Highlights
- Peter Pan (2011, Actor)
- Shakespeare for Kids By Kids (2011, Actor)
- Seussical (2011, Actor)
- Oliver! (2011, Actor)
- 100 Lunches (2011, Actor)
- All My Sons (2012, Actor)
- 13! A New Musical (2012, Actor)
- The Not 24hr Show (2012, Actor)
- 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live! (2013, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer)
- 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live 1.5! (2013, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer)
- Celebrating 50 Years of Dr Who. (2013, Actor, Host, Writer)
- 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live 2! (2014, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer)
- 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live @ Comic Con! (2014, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer)
- Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live (2015, Actor, Adapter, Director, Producer)
- The Cripple of Inishmaan (2015, Actor)
- Matthew Reilly's Ice Station Live (2016, Actor, Adapter, Director, Producer)
- Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live (2016/2017 Tour, Actor, Adapter, Director, Producer)