Founder of the Destiny Theater Experience, father, activist, poet, teaching artist, actor, writer, director, producer and casting director, Shawn Whitsell, will perform his poetry and plays followed by an intimate discussion of his life, craft, activism, and whatever else comes up at Writers in Conversation, a mostly-monthly performance and interview series created, produced, and hosted by poet Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum, a born-and-raised Nashvillian.

Writers in Conversation, episode 5: Shawn Whitsell will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 at the Darkhorse Theater. $10 the door or in advance.

Shawn Whitsell is a father, activist, poet and teaching artist. He is also an actor, writer, director, producer and casting director for stage and screen. Shawn is the founder of the Destiny Theatre Experience and has written, produced and directed a number of theatrical works. He has worked with several Nashville-based theatre companies, including SistaStyle Productions, Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Nashville Children's Theatre, Tennessee Women's Theatre Project, Act 1, Actor's Bridge, KB Productions, Dream 7 Productions and Street Theatre Company. When he isn't visiting schools throughout the Nashville area, teaching poetry and spoken word for Southern Word, Inc., he teaches drama for a number of arts institutions as well as a local prison. He recently served on the board of directors for Preston Taylor Ministies and is an active member of several arts and activism organizations. He currently serves on the boards of Street Theatre Company and the Humanity Theatre Project. He has received a number of awards and recognitions for his works in the arts, including the NAACP 45 Leaders Under 45, Stay On The Go 40 Under 40 Award, The First Night Star Awards and others.

Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum is an author, editor, educator, and meanderer native to Nashville, TN. He is author of a collection of poems, Ghost Gear; creator, producer, and host of Writers in Conversation; Acquisitions Editor for Upper Rubber Boot Books; Founder and Editor of PoemoftheWeek.com; Founder and Editor of The Floodgate Poetry Series; and professor of creative writing.

Writers in Conversation would greatly appreciate your covering the event for your newspaper or blog. Please feel free to add Writers in Conversation to your event calendars and newsletters. If you would like to become a partner of Writers in Conversation or would like more information please contact Andrew at Andrew@PoemoftheWeek.com or 615-337-4313.