We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Champagne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes me happy is spending quality time with family and friends, sharing a meal or a walk and connecting about serious things– life experiences, struggles– and not so serious things. There’s nothing better than shared laughter. Also, I love nature– beautiful clouds, cute animals, flowers in bloom. I really started to appreciate the beauty of everyday life when I got to know my dad’s first cousin, Homer Coderre. He suffered from macular degeneration for the last 20 years or so of his life, but he loved nature. He had a lovely backyard in West Covina, and despite his limited vision, weeded and tended his plants and succulents, fed the squirrels and birds that came to visit him and spent hours in his backyard with neighbors and friends visiting and just sharing time together, laughing, enjoying each other’s presence. He passed away last year at 105, and there was not one conversation I had with him where he didn’t mention how grateful he was. He was probably the kindest and wisest person I’ve ever met. Creatively, the process of writing and directing theatre makes me happy. It’s been a while since I’ve directed something, but I write fairly regularly. I feel privileged that my characters let me into their worlds, take me on a ride and teach me things. I’m also happy when I’m reading friends’ novels, short stories, non-fiction, plays and screenplays and watching friends’ filmwork. I’m happy to offer helpful feedback if a friend asks for it, and I also enjoy encouraging them in their inspiring work. And of course, I love reading my husband’s writing and watching any of the groups my high school student son plays in. Hearing him nail a jazz trumpet solo is my bliss!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was lucky to have had lots of productions, most locally, years ago in my youth. I directed a lot of my own plays, and worked with wonderful actors and tech people. And I was super lucky to have the magnificent writer-director Julie Hebert direct my play, Honeymoon, at The Magic Theatre, years ago. I’m very grateful for those early experiences. I was less active for a few years, and my life shifted focus since I became a later-in-life mom a while ago. Interestingly, since that time, I’ve written several new plays, which I think are my best work yet, and which I look forward to seeing come to life on the stage.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, if a friend came in the summer, I’d probably take them to a concert at The Hollywood Bowl. It’s such a gorgeous spot, and I’ve heard such great music there over the years. If we spent some time in Hollywood during the day, I’d see if there’s something cool playing at the Egyptian Theatre and maybe have a fancy lunch at Musso & Franks or an equally fun, but more casual lunch at Canter’s. Maybe one day, we’d take a drive up the coast and stop somewhere for lunch in Malibu. In my town of Burbank, we’d have dinner at The Smoke House one night and Castaways another night. It’s up in the hills and has a beautiful view of the city. Stough Canyon is a pretty hike if it’s not too hot, and even walking the Chandler Bike Path is pretty, as well as Magnolia Boulevard. There are lots of little mom-and-pop shops, restaurants and antique stores. And for casual dining, Lancers and Pinocchio Restaurant are fun. Pinocchio’s has old red leather booths and plays great old 40s and 50s music, and you can’t beat the prices. If my friend was a vegan, and even if they weren’t, Something Vegan in Toluca Lake is delicious!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My college theatre professor at Clark University, Ray Munro, is a wonderful teacher and director and a big inspiration. I was also super lucky to study with the incredibly talented and inspiring playwrights and teachers at the Padua Hills Playwrights Workshop and Festival in the hills of Mount Baldy many moons ago. Murray Mednick, John O’Keefe, the late Maria Irene Fornes, Leon Martell and other wonderful teachers were huge inspirations.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.champagne.54

Other: My New Play Exchange link is below, for those who subscribe to this site. Two plays are on this link. https://newplayexchange.org/users/10856/susan-champagne Some of my published plays may be purchased through: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/perform/catalog?sortBy=DisplayOrder&author=Susan+Champagne

Image Credits
Photos by Susan Champagne Photo of Susan Champagne by Ron Yungul

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