Susan Marshall is a novelist, fiction writer, poet, dramatist and essayist. She is also the founder of Story Playscapes, her writing and publishing business, a theatre practitioner and an expert educator. Susan is highly skilled in working with young adults in theatrical, educational and community settings and is a recipient of a prestigious award for her outstanding and extensive work with young people. In her work at Story Playscapes, Susan is passionate about empowering literacy development in her dedicated global readership. She is renown for delving into her playscapes when developing her writing. Susan has completed a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English, Theatre and Drama) at La Trobe University and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) at Deakin University. Susan is an expert educator, who has undertaken the role of Head of Drama. She has also written a number of drama and literacy articles for academic publications and mentored pre-service and practising teachers. Susan has presented at state and national conferences in drama and literacy education, including at the Victorian College of the Arts, the University of Melbourne and at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and has also worked as an executive committee member for Drama Victoria.In her role as a theatre practitioner, Susan has acted, devised and directed a range of dramatic stage productions in Australia, including her portrayal of the protagonist in Virginia Baxter's "What Time is This House?" for the Melbourne Fringe Festival and her role in devising, scripting and acting in "Orb.IT", directed by Brett Adam for the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Susan also had the privilege of stage directing the Australian premiere production of Timothy Daly's "Beach: A Theatrical Fantasia" with a young cast. She has been trained by renown professional performing artists in Australia, such as: Di Gagen, James Wardlaw, Geoff Wallis, Richard Keown, Geoffrey Milne and Julian Meyrick.Susan has also written dramatic literature, including her play: "Broken World", which was published by RMDesigned in 2013. The play was launched at the AATE/ALEA National Conference and positively reviewed by the Children's Book Council of Australia. RMDesigned also published Susan's second play, "Indigo's Haven" in 2016.Susan has also written a range of poetry and fiction, which have been published at Vocal Media. Most notably, her short story: "Peonies for Masha: Her Journey Home" was shortlisted as a finalist in the Vocal+ Fiction Awards in 2022.Susan is an honoured recipient of the prestigious Award for Special Civic Service, presented to her by the Mayor of Richmond, Victoria, for her extensive civic contributions to the city of Richmond and the Richmond City Council. The Award particularly recognises her outstanding efforts in assisting young people through her work on the Richmond Youth Work Project and the Richmond Youth Council.In 2023, Story Playscapes has produced and released three of Susan's major publications to readers and retailers around the globe. These include: "Makeshift Girl: The Secret Heritage Trail," Susan's debut novel, a literary fiction and Book One in the Makeshift Girl series. This was followed by "Fleur of Yesterday," (released October 7, 2023), which is the first Science Fiction - Time Travel play in Story Playscapes' new Theatre Playscapes series. The publication also officially presents Susan's monumental achievement: her new Theatre Playscapes theatrical style, developed for young performers, to readers and theatre makers around the world. Susan's latest publication: "All the Hope We Carry," a Contemporary Fantasy, will be her second play publication for young adults in her new Theatre Playscapes series (released late 2023). Susan uses her exceptional ability to distil and transcend vivid and dream-like moments, which evoke the spirit of the war survivor on a compelling and fantastical journey of hope.
