Hometown: Rochelle, Illinois
Education: Millikin University; National Theatre, UK
Select Credits: The Wonder, Sans Merci, Then We Got Help
Why theater?: It's immediate; visceral. The best possible conversation to have with people you know and don't know.
Who do you play in The Pumpkin Pie Show?: A very sweet, very kind political rally go-er. There to see, in person, the man she most admires; the man running for president.
Tell us about The Pumpkin Pie Show: It's a house-a-fire ride; a political horror show.
What is it like being a part of The Pumpkin Pie Show?: I've been watching and admiring these actors and this writer for years, so to be in the same room with them is pretty cool. I saw a previous Pumpkin Pie Show a few years ago and was mesmerized by Clay Mcleod Chapman's writing and performance. B-Side was the name of the piece and it just sucked me in. Gave me nightmares for weeks.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Intimate theatre performed in small spaces are my favorite. Straight up storytelling (like The Weir) or something mind-blowing (like Hamilton). I'm inspired by the day-to-day; eavesdropping in New York is its own kind of theatre. Definitely inspired by my friends and family. When I was a kid, I could sit and listen to my Aunt Rosie tell stories for hours. My friend Ace insists that she isn't funny, but she kills me every time we talk.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I'm looking forward to playing an 80-year old super hero; someone who can bring you to your knees with a paper clip. I'll have to write that one. Am excited about the new work out there. If Sarah Kane were still with us, I'd play anything she asked.
What’s your favorite showtune?: “Right Hand Man”
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Reed Birney, Kathryn Hunter. Jesus - too many to list here.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Imelda Staunton in "I Was Never Young"
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Laurette Taylor in the 1944 Chicago production of The Glass Menagerie
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Encounter
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Anything with Keanu Reeves (and it's not even a guilty pleasure - I genuinely like the guy and would love to work with him. Wish I'd seen his Hamlet)
What’s up next?: Writing a trilogy called The Silver Kitchen (a dark family comedy); shooting minute-long teasers for a web-series called "Mean Secretary"; introducing our crack BUZZ play and team (with director Carrie Preston and Anatol Yusef, Julie Ann Emery, Susan Pourfar, Marcia DeBonis and Sam McMurray) to the world.
For more on Susan, visit susanferrara.com
