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Susan Claassen

Artist Bio

Susan Claassen is celebrating her 31st anniversary with the Invisible Theatre (IT) and has been a resident of Tucson since 1972. As Managing Artistic Director, she has produced over 335 productions and directed over 50, including such favorites as WHEN PIGS FLY, SYLVIA and KINDERTRANSPORT. Susan has been a member of Actors Equity Association (the professional actors’ union) since 1969. Some of her most memorable roles have been Bella in LOST IN YONKERS, Alice B. Toklas in GERTRUDE STEIN AND A COMPANION, Hannah in CROSSING DELANCEY, Shirley in SHIRLEY VALENTINE and Trudy in THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE.

In addition to her work with the Invisible Theatre she has been a consultant and director for the Waterfront Playhouse and The Red Barn Theatre in Key West, Florida and directed I WON’T DANCE at New York’s famed Rainbow and Stars Cabaret and St. Paul's prestigious Ordway Theatre. Susan is a national board member of PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY–A Constitutional Liberties Organization and the short half of the comedy team of MOLS AND SUZ. As a video writer and producer, she has written and produced two award–winning projects: CHILDREN AREN’T WATERPROOF for the Tucson Drowning Prevention Committee and READY, SET, READ for the Tucson Public Library. She was the recipient of the 1982 Woman on the Move Award in the Arts, the 1985 Governor’s Award for Women Who Create, the 1993 Humanitarian Torch Award for her efforts on behalf of people living with AIDS, the 1994 and 1998 Tucson Unified School District Superintendent’s Honor Roll Award for her exceptional work with Special Education Arts Programming, and a 1996 Distinguished Service Award from the State Federation for Exceptional Children for her commitment to arts education for special populations. Susan was the 1999 City of Hope “Spirit of Life” recipient, she was honored with the 2001 Volunteer of the Year Award, performs as a clown in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades and was recently selected as one of Tucson Lifestyle’s 10 Most Admired Women. She dedicates her work to the living memory of her beloved mother, Goldie.

Reviews and Quotes

Specialties

Narrator or Actor

Genre

film & stage cabaret

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