Ben Heppner
Ben Heppner
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    • Home
    • Percussionist
    • Riverun
    • Educator
    • Contact
  • Home
  • Percussionist
  • Riverun
  • Educator
  • Contact

Ben as a performer

Musical Theater

Since diving into the theater scene in 2021, I have worked on over 60 theater productions. Notably I have worked with The Goodman Theater, Paramount Theater, Writers Theater, Drury Lane Theater and Musical Theater Works, among others. Take a look at my C.V. or Theater Resume to see a more comprehensive list of my work.

My Approach to Playing

As a drummer/percussionist I firmly believe that my role in music supports the heart and emotions of the story being told. I take care in my preparation and sound selections to ensure every project I work on is emotionally elevated and rock solid. If the music has an unsteadiness to it, the clarity of the story it tells gets blurred. I see it as my responsibility to  care for that story through my playing.


Take a look below to see testimonials about my playing  and select examples of my past work. 

Testimonials about ben as a musician

David Fiorello

"Ben is one of my absolute favorite go-to drummers in Chicago. Whether it’s working on events at The House of Blues Chicago, fundraisers for The Beautiful City Project, runs of shows (and everything in between), Ben is not only a consummate professional, but also excellent at his craft. Tremendous instincts, an appropriate touch for musical theatre, a drummer who watches his conductor, and an invaluable collaborator. Highly recommend, and a gent to boot."

Learn more about David as a music director, composer and educator

Percussion setups

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

This production at Theo Unique Cabaret Theater was so engaging to put together! We took the lush orchestrations of this score and reduced it to an intimate three piece ensemble comprised of percussion, violin and piano. I worked with MD Carolyn Jean Brady to arranging missing parts for the vibraphone to fill out the lower middle voices! 

Mary Poppins

The Secret Garden

At Metropolis Theater for the in concert series presented by the Jam Orchestra, the challenge with this book was navigating the transitions from instrument to instrument. You can check out some of this performance on my theater percussion reel. 

Oliver!

Also at Metropolis theater with the Jam Orchestra, this show featured a handful of fun xylophone rags that were fun to get under my hands. 

Fun Home

At Columbia College, I was so excited to put this setup together! For this production I bought a new djembe from M. Taylor at Holy Goat Percussion. This book also features a fair amount of cajon playing and coordination between shaker and other elements. 

The 25th ..... Spelling Bee

The 25th ..... Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Musical Theater Works. This book features a wide range of percussive elements from electronics on the mallet station and my SPD-SX to acoustic elements like bongs, triangle and drum set. This book demanded the full range of diversity from my playing!  

Watch ben Play

Check out my live drums/percussion reel of me playing in pits! 

Interested in working with Ben?

To contact me about collaborating with your 

pit, project, ensemble, band or event, click on this link below:

Contact

Copyright © 2026 Ben Heppner - All Rights Reserved

Headshot Photos by Elizabeth Steinholt 

Percussion page photo by Jay Towns

Educator Page photo by Emily Bollinger

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