Blossom Johnson
writer / filmmaker
BIOGRAPHY
Blossom Johnson is a Diné (Navajo) storyteller, playwright, teaching artist, and screenwriter whose creative voice is deeply rooted in her homeland and cultural heritage. Raised by her grandmother on the high desert mesas of Dził Yijiin (Black Mesa), Arizona, Blossom grew up surrounded by the oral traditions and lived histories of her community. Every corner of her upbringing — from the coal mines visible from her grandmother’s yellow house to the now-shuttered roadside diner and trading post once frequented by her mother and grandmother — has shaped the stories she tells.
While the extractive industries in her region faded, Blossom sees that the spirit and resilience of the Diné people remain strong, and their stories — her stories — continue to thrive. Her writing draws from memory, personal and communal experience, and family legacy. She doesn’t shy away from hard truths. Instead, she explores them with clarity and tenderness, often weaving humor into her narratives to offer moments of levity and healing.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Blossom centers Indigenous voices in all of her work. She writes with purpose and responsibility, creating from a place of love for her people and a drive to preserve and evolve cultural knowledge. Whether she’s working in theatre or film, Blossom’s work uplifts lived experience and contributes to a growing body of Indigenous-led storytelling.
She recently completed artistic residencies with AlterTheater and Willowtail Springs/Durango PlayFest, where she developed two new plays: A Boarding School Play and Monster Slayer. In 2022, she was awarded the First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Fellowship, a prestigious honor supporting Native artists who are deeply committed to cultural preservation and innovation. As she transitions more fully from theatre into narrative film, Blossom continues to evolve her voice and storytelling medium, guided by community, culture, and craft.
Qualifications
Blossom Johnson is an experienced teaching artist with a strong foundation in theater and cultural education. She has taught both traditional Diné beadwork and theatre arts, using storytelling as a tool for empowerment and creative expression. Her work includes designing and leading workshops that support emerging artists in developing their voice and artistic identity. In addition to her teaching experience, she is a skilled playwright and screenwriter, known for crafting narratives that blend humor, cultural memory, and emotional honesty. Blossom also brings deep experience in public speaking and performance, making her well-equipped to lead and inspire in both classroom and creative settings.
skills
teaching artist in theatre
teaching artist in beadwork
storytelling
theatre