Bowen is an actor and director based in the Lansing area. He earned his BA in Theatre and Education from Indiana University and his MA from The University of Georgia. Recently he has appeared locally on Stage in Apartment 3A at the Ledges Playhouse andThe Beauty Queen of Leenane at Riverwalk Theater. Bowen’s history with Peppermint Creek dates back to 1997 when he and PCTC Artistic Director Chad Badgero were cast in a local production of Sweeny Todd at Riverwalk Theater. Bowen has more than a decade of teaching, acting and directing experience across the country.
PCTC Board Chairman Karen Jennings praised the selection of Bowen as Associate Artistic Director. "We are thrilled to have Blake Bowen join Peppermint Creek Theatre Co as the Associate Artistic Director. Blake is a talented actor and director who is passionate about theatre and the arts in the greater Lansing community. Blake is committed to the ongoing success of PCTC and will compliment while adding a fresh voice in furthering the company’s mission”.
Bowen has appeared in productions for Peppermint Creek including “Channel Surfing” (1996), “God of Carnage”(2011) and “Big Love”(January 2014). He has directed “Good People” and is currently in rehearsals for the company’s final production of the 2013-14 season, Pulitzer prize winner “Clybourne Park”. “I am thrilled to be named the Associate Artistic Director at Peppermint Creek, in this ever-increasingly theatre rich community of Lansing. What I’ve always liked about PCTC is its unwavering dedication to the power of the theatre to address vital issues in our society, raise awareness, and encourage dialogue while entertaining. I’ve been doing theatre for so long and I love every aspect of the process. I’m honored to be doing that as a more official part of the Peppermint Creek family”.
Artistic Director Chad Badgero raved about the addition of Bowen to the PCTC board, "Peppermint Creek has had a really nice, gradual growth over our eleven seasons as a non-profit, and part of that growth has been cultivating a strong, supportive board of directors. We are so fortunate to have a board that believes in the mission of our company and champions the work we do in and for the community. The addition of an Associate Artistic director is a sign that PCTC is continuing to grow and is eager to push its own boundaries from within, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. I’ve been friends with Blake for so long that it feels like a homecoming to have him join our board in this important leadership role”.
And Bowen already has some strong ideas of where he wants to lead the award winning theatre company. “As Associate Artistic Director I will work to strengthen ties between our networks of theatres here in Lansing and around Michigan. It’s also my personal mission to get patrons out to the theater. If we want to increase attendance we need to commit to making that so. I especially want to get people to the theatre if they’ve never been before. It’s an amazing word behind the ‘curtain’ and we want people to be a part of it. See a play, come audition, volunteer your time, whatever you want to do-we need you and you are welcome here”.
Audiences can see Bowen’s directorial work when Peppermint Creek opens “Clybourne Park”, running May 15 – 18 & 22 – 24, 2014. Find out more at www.peppermintcreek.org.