Emotional Truth
We believe the most powerful stories are the ones that feel honest, human, and unafraid.
About 1st Time Productions
Stories told
for the first time.
A Black-owned creative production company rooted in music, theatre, emotional truth, and culturally relevant storytelling.
Founder & Creative Director
Benaiah Link
Benaiah Link is the founder of 1st Time Productions. He has been writing, producing, and performing as a singing and recording artist on stage since 2002, bringing over two decades of creative experience to every project he develops.
Originally rooted in music, Benaiah's creative journey expanded into playwriting, directing, producing, and designing live performance experiences. His work brings together narrative depth, emotional honesty, and cultural relevance.
As a playwright and director, Benaiah is known for creating work that is raw, reflective, and deeply human — centering stories around trauma, healing, identity, relationships, and lived experience within the African American community.
"Every story deserves the opportunity to be fully realized — for the first time."
Who We Are
Built for stories that
deserve a stage.
1st Time Productions is a Black-owned creative production company established in 2003 by Benaiah Link. What began as a music production company has grown into a multidisciplinary creative house focused on original music, stage plays, live performance, and full-scale theatrical experiences.
The company was created to give artists, stories, and lived experiences the opportunity to be fully realized — often for the first time. Through music, theatre, and live production, 1st Time Productions creates work that is emotionally honest, culturally grounded, and built to connect with real people.
Today, 1st Time Productions continues to develop original works that explore trauma, healing, relationships, identity, resilience, and the complexity of the human experience.
Creative Focus
- ✦ Original stage productions
- ✦ Music production and songwriting
- ✦ Scriptwriting and directing
- ✦ Live performance experiences
- ✦ Culturally relevant storytelling
Our Mission
Create work that moves people
beyond the moment.
1st Time Productions exists to create emotionally bold, community-centered art that gives voice to real stories and real people. Our mission is to produce original work that entertains, challenges, heals, and opens the door for meaningful conversation.
Cultural Relevance
Our work centers lived experience, community, and the realities that shape who we are.
Creative Excellence
From concept to stage, we approach every production with intention, craft, and purpose.
Now On Stage
Experience Trauma Attraction live.
December 12–13, 2026 · Edge Theater · Chicago, IL