Shawn Forster Email & Phone Number

Shawn has been a creative force on the Peaceful Schools team since 2003. Shawn brings with him a wealth of artistic and theatrical skills and enthusiasm through his experience as a performer on national and regional theatre tours, and as an award-winning director.With Peaceful Schools, Shawn has combined his passion for theatre and education to engage students through thousands of sessions of the Peaceful People program as well as through Mediation and one on one skill building sessions. Shawn was born with physical challenges that have motivated him to find avenues to teach diversity and acceptance in any way possible.

Syracuse, New York Area

Peaceful Schools Productions, the artistic division of Peaceful Schools, launched in the Fall of 2013 with the First Official Touring Production of Have You Filled A Bucket Today? The Play. P.S. Productions wrote the music to The Bucket Filling Song, which is featured in the play, and the original cast recorded the track scoring a top ten hit on the iTunes Children’s charts.Their second production, touring currently in Western NY, is the original character education talk show called Rise Up! Audiences enjoy each time hosts Sonny and Joy do a live taping at their school. Recently the company acquired the rights to the popular book series Weird! and have launched the First Official Touring production.

WEIRD! The Musical, based on the Weird! book series by Erin Frankel and Paula Heaphy, is a energetic family musical with a powerful message. One story of bullying told from three different female character’s perspectives…the target, the bystander and the one using the bullying behavior. Created to perform for young audiences, families and kids will enjoy seeing the pages of the books come to life on stage with Luisa, Sam, Jayla and their friends learning where their power comes from and how to use it.

Songwriter for We Say What's Okay book series which helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent.

Director of The Syracuse High School Theatre Awards (SHSTA) at the Landmark Theatre which is Syracuse's “Tony Awards”-inspired production featuring hundreds of high school performers. The 2020 SHSTAs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope to return in 2021.

Shawn is a teacher of Musical Theater and enjoys helping students grow and learn through this art form. For Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Shawn has directed "Anything Goes", "The Wiz", "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Wedding Singer The Musical", "A Christmas Story The Musical" and "Footloose". Shawn has been a part of the Music Department since 2003 helping out with various theatrical productions.

Syracuse, Ny

Teacher and Coach teaching Musical Theatre Workshop Class which helps students learn how to tell a story through song, define and create character and intentions while maintaining excellent singing technique. The goal is that each student successfully prepares appropriate songs for auditioning and learns to create a safe community within a class of their peers. Shawn also teaches private lessons for students who have a strong interest in Musical Theater. In 2015, Shawn started a Musical Theater Competition Team.

Syracuse, New York Area

After appearing as a performer in many productions for The Talent Company, Shawn was promoted to Director in 2010. For the Talent Co. Shawn directed "All Shook Up" which was nominated for a SALT (Syracuse Area Live Theater) Award for Best Musical and earned him a nomination for Best Director. He also directed "Grease" in 2012 which was nominated for numerous SALT Awards including Best Musical and Best Director. In 2013, Shawn directed "SUDS The Rockin' 60's Musical Soap Opera" which won 9 SALT Awards including Best Musical and a win for Shawn as Best Director of the Year.

Directed "Hairspray" with the team at F-M High School.

Produced, directed, created and starred in productions for Twist Cabaret Theatre including "Broadway Rocks!", "Nunsense A-Men!" & "Bright Young Thing".

Syracuse, New York, United States

Shawn served as dramaturg in the development of "Have You Filled A Bucket Today? The Play" which teaches kindness vs. bullying to youngsters. Shawn is also a co-composer of 'The Bucket Filling Song' which appears in the script. The song charted #9 on the iTunes Children's Music Charts.

East Syracuse, Ny

Directed "The Outsiders" in 2001 and "Everything I Know I Learned In Kindergarten" in 2002.