I'm Ben Ballmer, a Chicago-based composer, director, actor, and theatre artist. Born and raised in Evanston, educated in Indiana, and now living in Edgewater, I'm a Midwesterner through and through. Chicago is the most beautiful city in the world, and I will DIE ON THAT SOAPBOX.

I'm an ardent advocate for work that strikes a balance between traditional, lucid storytelling and challenging our expectations of what constitutes theatre. I love minimalism. I love love stories. I love fiery drama in small spaces. I love absurdist performance art. I love dance when you least expect it. I love goofiness and sock puppets. I love blurring the lines between all forms of art & media. I strive (especially at the risk of failure) to create electrifying, one-of-a-kind performance projects that thrill audiences and ignite conversation.

As a writer and composer, I'm a recipient of a 2018 ACF NextNotes Composer Award and a two-time semifinalist in the Blank Theatre's Young Playwright's Festival. My undergraduate directing work includes Tick, Tick...Boom! (Independent Project), Stupid F*cking Bird (IU University Players), Circle Mirror Transformation (Annie Baker Digital Series), The Flick (Annie Baker Digital Series), Lungs (SDS Backyard Theatre), The Weir (SDS Backyard Theatre), Rabbit Hole (Independent Production), The Last Five Years (Independent Production), and The Light in the Piazza (BFA Capstone). In Chicago, I’ve been an actor with Blank Theatre Company, Pride Arts, Citadel Theatre, Williams Street Reperatory, ABS Productions, and more, as well as working as a director and teaching artist with Evanston Children’s Theatre.

When I'm not having adventures in the rehearsal room, you'll probably find me exploring the nooks & crannies of our beautiful planet or curled up in a cozy corner with a nice book. Explore all my work below, and don't hesistate to reach out- let's collaborate on something!

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