I'm Ben Ballmer, an NYC-based composer, director, and educator. Born and raised in Evanston, educated in Indiana, and cutting my professional teeth in Chicago, 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 a fierce advocate for work that strikes a balance between traditional, lucid storytelling and challenging our expectations of what constitutes theatre. I love minimalism. I love a good love story. 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 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. As part of the writing duo Korman & Ballmer, I’m currently developing Purity, a new musical exploring the collision of faith and queerness in a 1990s Evangelical cult.

When I'm not having adventures behind a piano, you'll probably find me exploring the nooks & crannies of our beautiful planet or curled up in a cozy corner with a nice book.

More Korman & Ballmer music and news from Amia Korman: