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

Hi Suzanne, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks for the sake of being daring doesn’t interest me. But I am interested in and believe in following my gut, and sometimes that is scary when that leads to uncharted and challenging situations. I’ve given in to fear occasionally, but when I look at the many times I’ve followed my instincts, I see the synchronicity that came from those choices.
Choosing to pursue a career in the arts was a risk.
Majoring in Theatre was a risk.
Choosing, as an adult, to leave my LA life, my relationship, and my job, and spend three years in a small town in Illinois studying theatre to get my MFA was a risk.
Jumping in and writing and producing my own work was a huge risk.
Continuing to write and produce is a risk.
Any time I accept a directing job it’s a risk. What if I can’t do the work justice? What if my visual concept doesn’t work? What if I don’t have ideas?
Every audition as an actor is a risk.
And the list could go on and on.
For an artist, pursuing what you love is a risk. There is very little security, no guarantees, and loads of rejection. But for me, the soul-fulfilling benefits that have resulted from that choice have been immeasurable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m always excited about what’s next. Right now that “next thing” for me is a short romantic comedy I wrote and am starring in called “Unboxing.” David Fickas and Brice Beckham of Drama 3/4 have joined as co-writers and Fickas will be directing the film. The talented Kaitlin Kelly is our producer, and will also be acting in the project. I am also currently in the distribution process for a comedy series I wrote, produced, and starred in called, “Hey You, It’s Me.” So, yeah, artistically those things are very exciting.

In life and in art I am most proud of my tenacity, my resourcefulness, my passion, my sense of humor, my ability to see the good in others, and my aptitude for joy. I genuinely love creating, and I am equally passionate about my relationships with friends and family, being out in nature, travel adventures, and all things that lead to having a full exciting life. I think I am a better artist due to my love of and fascination with humanity and the world around me.

As an actor, I embrace the messy, the goofy, the unattractive- the underbelly. My favorite moments to play, or write, are those very human moments when everything is falling apart, the veneer has been striped, and the character loses it, breaking down with either uncontrollable laughter or untethered rage. Whatever moment of truth I am experiencing as the character, I strive to experience it with my whole being, body, and soul.

As a director, mostly of theatre, I embrace the visual. With my actors, movement work (supported by the imagination) is essential- both the physical and the psycho-physical. I work with my actors on finding the psychological gestures of their characters and bringing that into visual and physical storytelling. The words on the page are just a small part of the overall storytelling. In film there is editing. In live theatre, we have the actors’ bodies and voices, supported by lighting, set, and sound. I also adore working with the technical team on making choices to support and enhance the actor’s work.

As a writer and producer of film, it’s exciting to continue to hone my voice and discover what kinds of stories I’m most passionate about telling.

Lessons I’ve learned? Believe in yourself. Visualize what you want as if it’s already happened and take that feeling into your day(s). Find things that bring you joy and peace and try not to compromise on dedicating at least a few moments a day to those things. Don’t take no for an answer. And, most importantly, you don’t need to be a master at something to start doing it

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Griffith Park is hands down my favorite place in the city- the hiking trails, the observatory, the views, the undeveloped land, the gold courses, the picnic areas, the zoo, and the equestrian center- It’s truly a wonder. I am so grateful to Griffith Griffith for donating the land to the city all those years ago.

Next, it’s the beach- the coast near Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Any visiting friend would surely be treated to a beach day.

Dodger’s Stadium- An evening game- that sunset is magnificent.

Downtown- We’d either see a game at the Staples Center or hit the USC campus and walk to a game at the Coliseum, then to a rooftop spot to see the view- probably either Spire 73, Perch, or The Rooftop at The Wayfarer Hotel.

In my neighborhood, we would have to hit The Alcove-Big Bar. I love this place and the staff there- I often call it my Cheers- it’s my favorite place for happy hour and anything I’ve written has been at least partially conceived at their bar or one of their outside tables.

Malibu Winery with the safari tour- enough said.

Malibu Cafe- A hidden gem.

The Magic Castle.

Boom. That’s a great week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family deserves a shoutout for sure! They are the most loving and supportive team one could ask for, and taught me the value of true friendship.
Next, I need to give credit to my high school music and drama teacher, Miss Polly. She recognized my talent when I was in seventh grade, cast me as Annie in the high school musical, and mentored me throughout my high school career. She taught me to respect the work, to focus my energy, and that ego has no place in the theatre.
Since then, my USC professor Paul Backer, my Stella Adler mentor, Tim McNeil, my grad school professors at NIU, Kathryn Gately, Alex Gelman, and Deborah Robertson, my voice coaches Rachael Lawrence and Robert Sims, and my current acting coach, Tom Irwin.
I am also hugely grateful to Victor Hardwood of the Digital Hollywood convention, where I became inspired to create my own content.
If I were to list the friends and colleagues who continue to inspire and support me, this interview would be way too long, but I would be remiss if I did not specifically name Scott Freeburg and Christie Maturo as my ride-or-die friend support team. They are both such intelligent creative powerhouses whom I have the honor of calling friends and the privilege of working and collaborating with whenever possible.

Website: http://suzanne-schmidt.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannejschmidt/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-schmidt-737526b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanneschmidtactor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hightidefilms3329

Image Credits
Stephanie Girard shot all attached photos – https://www.stephgirardheadshots.com/

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