Hunter Bell & Susan Blackwell To Host A Creative Workshop In Seattle 7/20

On July 20, 2009, Seattle will host a dynamic creative workshop lead by Broadway's Hunter Bell (2009 Tony nominee) and Susan Blackwell. The workshop, appropriate for individuals 16 and older, is inspired by the popular song ‘Die, Vampire, Die' in the hit Broadway musical [title of show]. The song, also co-written by Susan Blackwell, defines a Vampire as "any person, thought or feeling that stands between you and your creative self-expression".

The workshop is designed to assist participants in identifying and nurturing the seedlings of ideas through the writing process and into performance. While some performance experience is helpful, it is not necessary.

According to Blackwell, who designed the workshop with Bell, "Every person has a well of creativity within them, whether they are actors, accountants or aerospace engineers. Our hope is to help others connect with their inspired ideas, whether they hope to pursue them recreationally or professionally."

Themes of the workshop include Establishing a Safe Creative Space, Contributing to a Collaborative Process, Identifying and Taking Creative Risks, Tapping into Creative Freedom and Developing Clear Self-Expression. In addition to writers and performers, ideal participants will be creative challenge-seekers looking for a fun, safe environment to try something new and individuals seeking satisfaction through self-expression and confidence in communication.

Downtown Seattle - exact location provided upon registration

When: July 20, 2009 - 2pm-8pm

Cost: $125.

To reserve your spot and receive further information: Please email Kat Ramsburg at katramsburg@yahoo.com

Please bring: Yourself, a positive attitude, a lined notebook and a pen.

Susan Blackwell recently played herself in the Broadway musical [title of show]. Susan has written and performed original material for many projects, including [title of show], the [title of show] show, The 2008 NYC Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular at Carnegie Hall (guest artist), The 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards, 2008 Gypsy of the Year, The Actors Fund 125th Anniversary Gala, The Pink Campaign on Broadway, and the Avant Garde-A-Rama series at PS122. Off-Broadway credits include [title of show] at the Vineyard Theatre, Speech and Debate at The Roundabout Theatre, Anon at The Atlantic Theatre Company, Working Title and Vilna's Got a Golem at the American Jewish Theatre, as well as playing Peter Patrone in The Heidi Chronicles. Television appearances include 'The Sopranos', 'Third Watch', 'All My Children' and various 'Law & Orders'. Films include P.S.: I Love You, Margot at the Wedding, Bun Bun, Changing Lanes, and Night Int. Trailer for the feature film Ten Minutes Older. Susan is an avid teacher specializing in creative writing, performance and vampire slaying.

Hunter Bell earned an OBIE Award, a GLAAD Media nomination, a Drama League nomination, the Jim Owles Human Rights Award, a Broadway,com Audience Award, and a 2009 Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical all for [title of show]. Other credits include the book for Silence! The Musical (Outstanding Musical 2005 NY Fringe Festival), his short play Stuck by EPCOT (Manhattan Theatre Source), The A Train Plays, the book for the 137th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Bellobration! and original material for Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment. He has contributed material to numerous benefits and events including the Easter Bonnet and Gypsy of the Year competitions as well as Broadway Bares, all for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the opening for The Actor's Fund's 125th Anniversary Gala, the Vineyard Theatre's 25th Anniversary Gala, the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards, and NYCLU's Broadway Stands Up for Freedom! A finalist in the Warner Brothers Comedy Writers' Workshop, Hunter has written numerous spec scripts, pilots, and industrial films, and developed new works at the Dramatists Guild, the O'Neill Center, Irish Rep, PS 122, Goodspeed/Chester, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Neighborhood Playhouse, CanStage, and the Manhattan Theatre Source. As an actor, he has performed on Broadway in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and in [title of show], off-Broadway at The Vineyard Theatre and The York, at Carnegie Hall, as well as numerous regional theatres including the St. Louis Rep, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, the North Shore Music Theatre, The MUNY, Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Stages St. Louis, Alliance Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, and the Paper Mill Playhouse. In 2003, he won the Connecticut Outer Critics Award for Best Actor in a Musical. TV credits include, Guiding Light, Disney's Out of the Box, and Great Performances on PBS. Film credits include Goodbye Baby, and the upcoming Men who Stare at Goats. He is also a co-creator of the web series the [title of show] show on titleofshow.com. Born in Tuscaloosa Alabama, Hunter is a proud graduate of Woodward Academy, a distinguished alumnus of Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts (where he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre), a member of the Dramatists Guild, a member of Actors' Equity, a member of the Yale Dramat, and a certified card carrying vampire killer.

Photo credit Peter James Zielinski