The February 2023 Artist in Residence at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is science-based comedian, Ben Miller. Ben is the first-ever comedian selected as an artist in residence by the National Parks Arts Foundation. Ben Miller is a unique NYC based scientist turned comedian who has been performing for the past 6 years. In that time, he’s performed at all the top clubs in the city such as Broadway Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, Dangerfield’s, Carolines, and The Stand. In addition, he has performed in the Boston Comedy Festival, 5th Borough Comedy Festival and was featured in 2022ʻs New York Comedy Festival.

He also has a degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Columbia University. He’s worked with electron microscopes, been a teacher on a science bus, 3D printed cookies, and diffused a few bar fights while on stage. Ben jokes about everything from his medical condition to his Jewish heritage, using hard-hitting punchlines to tackle his deepest insecurities. His jokes are sharp, witty, and self-deprecating, and he once called “one of NYC’s best pound-for-pound joke writers” which isn’t saying much considering how little he weighs. In 2022, Ben Millerʻs debut stand-up comedy hour, STAND UP SCIENCE, had a completely sold out run at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is now touring the UK and the US.

This section of the park is located an hour’s drive from Kīlauea Visitor Center. Enter the Kahuku unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (uphill) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area.