The 2026 Allstate production is the Illinois High School Theatre Association’s yearly production for the Illinois High School Theatre Fest that occurs each January. High school students throughout the state are invited to audition. For the January 2026 production, approximately 350 students auditioned. Benjamin was the only performer from his region cast in the production.

Benjamin was 15 during this production and was one of the youngest cast members to be given a named role. Benjamin rehearsed for Newsies and Beauty and the Beast during the same time period. Newsies’ performamces ended the week before Beauty and the Beast opened. The production gave Benjamin the opportunity to learn tap.

The production won the 2024 Lou Award for Best Choreographer.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

The production was the musical version and was performed in December 2021 when Benjamin was 12 years old. Starlight Theatre created a cabin setting on its stage to create an initimate setting of 250 audience members for a holiday traditions series.

Benjamin was originally cast in this role at the age of 11 for the 2020 season, but the season was cancelled due to the pandemic. Starlight honored the original casting when the show was finally produced in 2022.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

The production was the musical version and was performed in December 2019 when Benjamin was 10 years old. The production was Lou Recommended, meaning at least one element of the production was excellent.

Starlight Theatre created a cabin setting on its stage to create an initimate setting of 250 audience members for a holiday traditions series.

Benjamin was 14 years old and a freshman when cast in this production. The production was the Fall 2023 show for the Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts program (CAPA), which is the Rockford Public Schools gifted program for the arts. Acceptance into CAPA is by audition only and available seats are limited.

The production was nominated for Best Musical Production, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Musical Direction, and Best Set Design for the 2025 Lou Awards.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

This was production in 2023. Benjamin rehearsed for this performance while also rehearsing for Oliver!

RVC Starlittle performances were productions created by the Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre as productions for children but performed primarliy by adults and some teenagers.

The production of Oliver was performed in 2023 and was a Lou Award recommended production, meaning that at least one element of the show was excellent.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

Benjamin Garner singing “If I Can’t Love Her”

This 2024 production was the first Starbright production. The BroadwayWorld Chicago 2024 Awards voted the production asthe “Best Production for Children” in the region.

Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre created Starbright to highlight talented artists under 18 years old. The productions use Starlight Theatre’s award winning 1,000 seat theatre.

In 2023, Benjamin was invited to join the cast of the Rockford Public School’s middle school Creative and Performing Arts Program. At the time, Benjamin attended Marshall Middle School in the District’s academic gifted program.

This 2025 production was the second Starbright production. In 2024, Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre created Starbright to highlight talented artists under 18 years old. The productions use Starlight Theatre’s award winning 1,000 seat theatre.

The production was in 2018 when Benjamin was 9 years old.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

The production was in 2017 when Benjamin was 8 years old.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

Benjamin’s family moved to Missouri for one year and was able to participate in this 2021 outdoor community theatre production.

Benjamin rehearsed Little Mermaid and Disaster! During the same time period. This 2022 production won the Lou Award for Best Director and Best Scenic Design. Also, the production received Lou Award nominations for Best Costume Design, and Best Musical Production.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

Benjamin’s first production in 2016 at the age of 7.

RVC Starlight Theatre is an award winning outdoor theatre in Rockford, Illinois, that just completed its 59th season. It is located on the Rock Valley College campus .

Besides recogntion for its productions, Starlight has recevied numerous architecture awards. The theatre has over 1,000 seats and a unique roof over the audience that opens when the weather permits, so the performances are truly under the stars.

The production is CAPA’s fall 2025 play. The Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts program (CAPA) is the Rockford Public Schools gifted program for the arts. Acceptance into CAPA is by audition only and available seats are limited.

The play was performed in the spring of 2025. Auburn High School’s Creative and Performing Arts program (CAPA) is the Rockford Public Schools gifted program for the arts. Acceptance into CAPA is by audition only and available seats are limited.

The production was performed in September 2024 when Benjamin was 15 years old.

Starlight Shakes is a troupe that produces one of Shakespeare’s plays each September on an outdoor stage on the Rock Valley College campus with the assistance of Starlight Theatre’s staff and resources. Free performances are provided to local schools.

The production was performed in September 2022 when Benjamin was 13 years old.

Starlight Shakes is a troupe that produces one of Shakespeare’s plays each September on an outdoor stage on the Rock Valley College campus with the assistance of Starlight Theatre’s staff and resources. Free performances are provided to local schools.

The production was performed in September 2021 when Benjamin was 12 years old.

Starlight Shakes is a troupe that produces one of Shakespeare’s plays each September on an outdoor stage on the Rock Valley College campus with the assistance of Starlight Theatre’s staff and resources. Free performances are provided to local schools.

CS Music Performance Reel

In November 2024, Benjamin entered his first vocal competition which was sponsored by CS Music. Benjamin’s video submission qualifed him as an Allstate Singer and for the second round in the CS Music’s national competition in May 2025. He advanced to the final round as one of five national finalists in the Musical Theatre Division (freshman/sophmore) and won first place in that division.