The U.S. Premiere of NOTHING by Nic Balthazar

Meet Ben, a wordsmith with autism who learns how to overcome his high school bullies.

Inspired by true events, NOTHING is a multi-media production featuring Ben, a young wordsmith/technology enthusiast with autism. Using poetry, music, and video, Ben shares his story of meeting "Barbie" in a divine online connection, standing up to his high school bullies, and finding ways to fit into a "normal" world.

Featuring music by Cincinnati's WALK THE MOON
 
Themes: Anti-bullying, autism awareness, and suicide prevention.

SPONSOR A PRODUCTION

FOR BOOKING CLICK HERE

Upcoming Performances

Stay tuned for updates!
​

---

Trailer

Reviews

"An amazing mulit-media tour-de-force... nothing short of mesmerizing in his highly energetic performance."
     -R.O. Jones, Cincy Examiner Jun. 3rd '12

"Raises awareness not with a ruler-on-your-knuckles sermon but from the inside, looking out... should bring it to every school in the country!"
     -J. Smith, SD Reader Jul. 6th '13

"A fascinating mystery story...smartly crafted, a technical marvel and engrossing in its delivery."
     -P. Kragen, UT San Deigo Jul. 7th '13

"Kovach’s command of the show is impressive... well done, with a satisfying twist at the end."
     -H. Lee, CityBeat Jun. 3rd, '12

History to Date

Nic Balthazar wrote the novel Nothing Was All He Said in Belgium in 2002 based on a newspaper article he read about a young man with autism. The novel's success led to international stage plays, and films.

Novel: Nothing Was All He Said 
Feature Film: Ben X, Endgame (Pre-production)
Stage Plays: Belgium, France, Australia, Germany, and now the USA.

The U.S. Premeire of NOTHING by Nic Balthazar workshopped in Dec. 2011 at Miami University, Wyoming City Schools, and Bishop Brossart high school before premiering to the public at The 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival starring LCT award-winning actor Jon Kovach. 

Festivals: United Solo-NYC SETC/NO/SD/Cincy Fringe
Universities: Wisconsin/Indiana/Miami

Cast, Crew, and Supporters

Cast: 
Daniel Britt- Metalwork Teacher
Kathleen Ferrini- Maaike
Bren Harper- Barbie
Jon Kovach- Ben
Robert Livingston- Bogaert
Max Meyers- Desmet
Michael Peake- Headmaster
Grace Poganski- Psychiatrist
Tracy Schoster- Mother
David Stone- Coppola

Extras:
Kaleigh Brooke-Dillingham, Eric Finnell, Dave Gaylor, 
John Grewell, Collin Leonard, 
Sara Mackie, Payton Marshall, Adam Marzheuser, 
Marquis Nash, Kyle Taylor, Amber Turner, Briana Watson, Michael Van Schoik, 
Simin Xiang.

 Trailer Cast: 
Casey Craig, Brian King, Jon Kovach, Daniel Hall Kuhn, Cory Niles, Reed Williams.
NYC Crew:
Chelsea Dee Harrison- Director
Donald Smith- Production Manager
Ali Hall + Zach Weeks- Lighting Design
Lynne Michelle + Eric Hedlund- Stagehands
Original Crew:
Jon Kovach- Director (film) Script Adaptor
Zach Cieslak- Director of Photography
Peter Alexander- Production Manager
Charity Farrell- Editor
Andrew Boylan- Sound Editor
Marie Alexander + David Tarbell- Set Construction

Supporters:
Platinum Sponsor: Guido Dekeseyer
Gold Sponsor: George Lang
Silver Sponsors: Marie Alexander, Nancy A. Randall, Cheryl Logan, Nicholas R. Heath, Carmelle Cieslak, Nancy and Mike Kern, Ginny Brezinski
Bronze Sponsors: Kirk Sheppard, Lyda Benson, Richard Dial, Chuck Beatty
Special Thanks: Rob Bucher, Grace Poganski, Dave Wetzel, Jeff Heath, Brandon Trebbien, Alan Galumbeck, Michelle Alexander, Meggan Peters, Beverly Steinbicker,  Kira Wizner, James Turnbull, Danielle Villeegas, Cory Niles, Larry Appel, Walt Maken, Mariah, Evil Poet, John Gibson, Brad Nicholas, Russ Blaine, Dr. Dan Doerger.