our team
SUSAN BLACKWELL...
is on a mission to free people’s self-expression. As a performer, writer, speaker + educator, she champions this cause around the world—on Broadway, off-Broadway, in classrooms + writing, + on TV, film, sound recordings + the Internet. She created + played a character based on herself in the original Broadway musical [title of show], and the off-Broadway musical NOW. HERE. THIS. (original cast recordings available on Sh-K-Boom records). She created + hosts the freewheeling chat show Side by Side by Susan Blackwell on Broadway.com, now in its 10th year. With Laura Camien, she launched the creativity podcast ‘The Spark File’ (thesparkfile.com). She's not a doctor, but she plays one on TV. In addition to her creative accomplishments, she worked in corporate + management for 20 years. As the founder of Susan Blackwell & Co, she partners with teaching artists and thought leaders to apply creative and performance technique to real world challenges. Susan has created and led transformational development experiences for thousands of participants at Fortune 100 companies, world-class arts organizations, universities + other institutions.
LAURA CAMIEN...
is inspired to encourage brave spaces where individuals can speak their truth with the goal of bridging the distance between us. A published playwright, author, screenwriter, producer + podcaster (thesparkfile.com) Laura has spent much of her career building the Blue Man Group brand around the world. She began by helping the original Off-Broadway show grow into a global entertainment entity across the country + eventually around the world. As VP of Communications, she culminated her Blue Man career by earning a PR News Platinum Award nomination for the company’s 25th anniversary campaign. She served as Creative Director + Head Writer for Blue Man Group’s first book, Blue Man World. Laura also formed Bridge Club Productions + developed various theatrical shows, including the original musical [title of show], and co-produced it’s Obie Award winning + Tony nominated Broadway productions. Since 2017, Laura has dedicated her talents to Blue School, an independent private school in NYC, created by six accomplished artists + academics, including the original founders of Blue Man Group. The school’s mission emphasizes the importance of emotional + social intelligence + creative thinking in balance with academic mastery. In support of this work, Laura is a recent cohort of Jennifer McCrea’s Harvard course on Exponential Fundraising. As a Collaborator with Susan Blackwell + Co, her areas of expertise include public speaking, moderation, media training, writing, and cultivating brave, authentic communication.
Thomas Schultheis...
creates environments that bring people together, encouraging connection and reflection, while simultaneously honoring and celebrating individual uniqueness. He has served as a Teaching Artist for numerous conferences, festivals, academies, competitions, intensives, showcases, invitationals, school districts, middle schools, high schools, and universities. Thomas has worked for The Walt Disney Company for 13 years and is the Sales Manager for Disney Performing Arts at the Disneyland® Resort. Under his award winning leadership, his team created Disney Performing Arts presents: An Educators Summit: Inspiring Brilliance, a 2 day Summit which brings leading educators together from around the world. He also developed the first individual workshop opportunity for students at The Walt Disney Company called Disney Performing Arts Open Enrollment, as well as the first Disney Performing Arts Conservatory. Thomas has performed on Broadway in the revival of Grease! as well as tours of Grease!, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Chicago + South Pacific. He has worked as a choreographer for over 20 years, his credits include off-Broadway productions of original work with the cast of the Broadway’s [title of show], and productions for over a dozen high schools & colleges. Thomas is a member of the Concordia University, Irvine’s School of Education Advisory Council, + is a part of the Actors Equity Association, California Educational Theatre Association, Educational Theatre Association, + the Teaching Artist Support Collaborative of California. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University in Virginia. As foster parents, he and his spouse were honored by Raise a Child Organization's 2018 Let Love Define Family Award. As a Collaborator with Susan Blackwell + Co, his areas of expertise include creativity, performance, + movement.