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Rising Star Susan Chambers On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry

An Interview with Elana Cohen

As a part of my series about pop culture’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Susan Chambers.

Susan Chambers is SAG-AFTRA actress who grew up in Tonka Bay, MN. Susan was influenced by her mother who was a theater actress. Susan realized her love for acting in college and caught the “bug”. Her fist role was in a “Movie of the Week” film called ‘Lucky Day”, as Amanda working with Chloe Webb, Amy Madigan and Olympia Dukakis. Susan has been cast in diverse roles in a variety of films and TV. She has studied under some of the best acting teachers such as Roy London, Larry Moss, Joseph Pearlman. Her latest short comedy film that she did with Marisa Coughlan, called V. I. P. won the Bill Murray short comedy award at the Twin Cities Film fest 2022. She just finished a delightful film called MY 7 GRANDMAS that will come out in 2023. She also co-stared in Chicago Fire and in the process of casting & producing 2 short films.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I grew up in Minnesota on a beautiful lake called Lake Minnetonka. I was a very active child. In the summer I think I slept in my bathing suit so I could be down in the water before breakfast. I was always fascinated with movies and would sneak out at night to watch anything I could. I had string puppets from Germany that I played with constantly. My father even built a stage for them. I had a ventriloquist doll. I constantly tried to get the neighborhood kids to do a play in the yard. Couldn’t figure out why they didn’t want to do that! Ha. So I guess entertaining has always in my blood.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

Yes, my mother was an actress in theater. She was in plays in Chicago and Minnesota. My mother was always encouraging me to audition for plays in high school but I was too self conscious and chasing boys. I think she wanted to keep me out of trouble because I kept getting into the wrong crowd so to speak.

I finally got up the courage & took an acting class in college. I loved it. That’s when I started yearning for that path. It took a while to finally take that path but in my mid 20s I began.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

My first big break was being hired as the game show host is in a TV film called “Lucky Day” with Olivia Dukakis, Chloe Webb & Amy Madigan. Had a little trailer dressing room with my name on it and everything. I thought this was it. Nope Ha. They kept calling me Vanna White. I played a game show hostess, Amanda.

I actually did not get a credit for that. I was too green and did not ask. (First lesson learned). It was wonderful though. I got to work with Amy Managen and Chloe Webb. Chloe was hilarious, especially when we weren’t filming.

I actually Taft hartlied for Sag/Aftra in my next film I did in Los Angeles but didn’t join for 26 years. I moved to LA in my late 20s early 30s but through a series of events, I moved back to Minnesota to raise my daughter, Estee.

I always told her when she grew up, I would go back to Los Angeles to pursue my dream.

I didn’t realize how old I would be and the challenges of being an older actor getting into the business when I finally did. Through a series of terrible events such as my mother dying suddenly, my house burning down, losing my job trying to rebuild the house, boyfriend cheating on me. All happening simultaneously…I felt like Job in the Bible. I hadn’t laughed for a year dealing with so much.

I decided to do something that would make me happy. After the house was rebuilt, that I was the contractor and designer of, I hopped in my car, and went back to Los Angeles.

I feel very fortunate though. I worked extremely hard taking acting classes & auditioning for as many roles that my agent and I could find. I was determined.

I remember auditioning for a small role in a series of films that were being cast. A few weeks later my agent called me. She was so excited. She told me, you didn’t get the role that you audition for, you got a bigger one! You get to work with Eric Roberts! It was one of those lucky breaks where the actress couldn’t do the role because she was still working on another film. They went through all the audition tapes and found me. I had 24 hours to memorize my lines and there were a lot of them. I had the best time on that film. It was called “In The Name of God”. Robin Lively, Eric Roberts, & John Ratzenburger were also in it. I played Ruby, (the hardware store owner) It was one of the main roles in the film!

It has been said that mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

This is very early on in my career and it was a big mistake that became a joke onset thank goodness…I had been hired to be the stand-in for the main actress in “Mighty Ducks II” (Katheryn Erbe) It was probably my first or second day on set. They had this wonderful food truck that would make any breakfast burrito that you wanted. I was waiting for my order to come up with another gentleman. One of the production assistance came running up to me and said you need to get on site right now. I turned to the gentleman who was also waiting and asked him if he would bring my burrito when he got his. The PA grabbed my arm and yanked me away and yelled at me saying, “Do you realize who you just asked to bring your breakfast burrito to you?”. I of course said, “No, who”. She responded, “that’s one of the directors!”

Word got around, so the next day the Director, the producer, asked me if I wanted a bite of their breakfast. Haha. Thank goodness they thought it was funny. It broke the ice (so to speak) and we had a wonderful time filming.

And skating!

And of course you heard earlier how I didn’t know how to ask to get credit in the first TV film I did. I’ve also learned along the way to remember to ask for a dressing room when I have a big role and people with smaller roles have their own dressing room or space and I don’t. I’ve also learned to make sure you negotiate to have your name in the first credits of the film (called cards) when you are one of the main characters.

I’ve also learned, to always always be kind to everyone. It is a team player job. We all work together to create something special and tell a story. I think the longer you are in this business, the kinder you are to everyone.

I appreciate it so much when I get on a film or a TV show with a smaller role and the main actors come up and introduce themselves. I can’t tell you how much it makes you relax and feel welcomed on the set. When you become big, always remember that.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I’ve been very fortunate these last few years. Lead role in a Lifetime film called “The Christmas Listing”. I filmed a funny short that Marissa Coughlin wrote, called V.I.P. that also won the Bill Murray Award. I finished a wonderful film where I had one of the main roles as Dixie, in a film called “My 7 Grandmas” by iiFilms. This will be their 4th film written and produced by Scott Peterson.

I’m producing and casting a short film called “For All Eternity”, for Judy Bednarek who wrote the film. An award winning director Brian Michaels will be directing it.

Recently, I was cast in a co-star role as Dora on NBC called “Chicago Fire”. It also is on Peacock. What a blast that was working with all those wonderful people on that show. The Director Lisa Demaine, just happened to be born and raised in Minnesota also. She was great and the whole cast made me feel very welcome.

I’m also producing my own short film with a wonderful writer Kevin Pike who has won an Emmy for his Visual Effects. Plus other awards.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Yes. I do feel like I’ve been blessed. My advice, is never give up. It doesn’t matter how old you are to pursue your dreams. Sara Wallace, my good friend and casting director Sara Wallace once said to me, “ The actors that don’t make it are the ones that give up.”

If it’s in your heart and it’s your dream, nothing can stop you. And just remember, people that go out to LA to become an actor, it normally takes six years to start booking good roles and that’s if you are pursuing it with all your heart.

Do not wait for your agent to get you auditions. Prepare yourself by taking good acting classes, and submit yourself on Actors Access and LA casting!

I never waited for my agent to get me auditions. I constantly submitting myself, going to film festivals and meeting film makers, and getting involved in anything I could. The people that sit around waiting for it to come their way from an agent won’t make it very fast.

Yes, you do need an agent to get you into the the bigger auditions but there’s nothing stopping you from submitting yourself for independent and low budget films so you can build your reel. You have to have a reel for casting directors to consider you to audition.

I used to teach a selftape class to help newer actors prepare themselves to audition and have the right tools to succeed. I have so much I could say but I know you do not have time for all that. Lol.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

Yes, I think it’s important for all skin types to have a chance. Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and yes Caucasian and African-Americans.

I want everyone to have a chance. I have friends from every culture. I do not want anyone to be left out and I do not want to focus on just one skin color.. It’s about all skin colors and all nationalities. I was very happy about the Oscars this year. I felt that it represented everyone. To be honest I’m tired of the political mess that is going on.

I know there’s been a lot of focus on that right now.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

Oh boy… I think I said many of these in a previous question.

1. Never give up. Remember… The ones that don’t make it the ones I give up. Follow your dreams because they’re never too far away once you start trying.

I had to wait till I was 45 before I could go back to acting. It’s a lot tougher when you’re old but I did not let that stop me. My father always said find a job doing something that you really love because you’re going to be doing it a lot in your life. He just didn’t think that I would pick something like this. Lol.

2. Don’t wait for your agent. I never did. Matter of fact, 75% of all my acting jobs that I have booked have been ones that I found myself. I also negotiated my contracts myself. I’m sure some agents don’t mean to but sometimes they don’t negotiate your contract unless you speak up. I have learned to ask. I’m not saying be demanding but there are things that are very normal to ask for politely.

3. Take really good Acting classes!

The competition is fierce out there and the more you train, the better you will be ready and the more confidence you will have, which in turn will help you book the jobs you want. Plus I have gotten many opportunities from fellow classmates in classes. I also hear about films and tv shows through other

classmates plus many other helpful ways to move up the ladder. Being in class you don’t feel like you’re the only one when you’re with fellow actors. Our journeys might be different getting our jobs but we all are going to suffer with disappointment and rejoice with accomplishments. And remember to always cheer on your fellow actors. I think that is very very important.

4. Don’t wait for someone else to give you an opportunity, find those opportunities yourself. I was a wholesale rep for years. I treated my acting like I was doing cold calls for sales which means, if I have 50 people I try to sell too, only 10 will be interested, and only one or two will actually buy the product. That is basically what it is like to submit yourself for roles, & audition for them. You probably will get one or two out of the 50–75 auditions. (When I say that, I’m talking about the big stuff. Auditioning with the big boys and girls).

5. Don’t listen to anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Many people including my father told me and I was stupid to do something like this. But I love it and I know in my heart that this makes me happy. I’d rather be poor and happy than rich, making money, doing something I don’t like to do.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

When you finish your audition and you’ll feel good about it, submit it. Don’t take 50 takes. The first few are showing your best ability after you get the kinks out of the self-tape. (Everything is Self-tape these days so I’m speaking in those terms).

When you’re done with your audition you have done your part. There are many reasons why you might not book the role. You might have been the best actor but it could be they needed someone with a different hair color for a different height or different weight.

Don’t dwell on it. Feel good about your audition and move on. You cannot control the rest. I’ve been on the other side of casting. We have not picked the best sometimes. Sometimes the Director liked one actor and the producer/writer liked another one. There are so many variables going on. So just do your best, feel good that you did your best and walk away. If you do a good job, the Casting Director will remember you to call you in for something else. That is always what I’m thinking when I send in my audition. Just so you know… When I auditioned for Chicago fire, I think I auditioned four or five times for that show. If you tally up Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, it was 11 auditions before I got my role as Dora. I have spoken to my other Actor-Friend’s who auditioned for those shows and it’s very similar. Plus I auditioned for the series that Michael Keaton was in I think 8x called “Dopesick”. The positive thing about that is the Casting Director kept allowing me back into the room so to speak. So don’t lose heart.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I think Jesus said it the best, love one another. Treat one another as you treat yourself. .

If you see someone who needs help and you know you could take the time to help them, stop and do it. Don’t just walk by.

A little kindness and a little respect go a very long way. I think a lot of people have forgotten about that. Many people are in a hurry and self-centered these days and it makes me sad.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

There are many acting coaches and acting teachers who have been wonderful to me. Larry Moss, Will Wallace, Bill Cooper, . Joseph Pearlman, Who owns, Joseph Perlman Academy in Los Angeles, gave me the confidence and I needed again, plus have taught me so much. My good friend and acting coach Eric Lutz (Known for “Caroline In The City” plus so much more)), who helps me tweak my auditions when they’re big ones and gives me confidence. I am so very thankful to all of them. When I drove out to LA, my friend Debbie Menin who has such a big heart, use to let me stay in her guestroom until I got on my feet, and a job I could do while pursuing my acting. She has been so giving for so many years. I can never repay her for all her kindness.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Well here’s one my father, who is 99 years old by the way and doing great, used to always say and I say it to myself a lot…. He said “It doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst they will say is no.” I swear to this day I hear that in my head and I reach out and ask. It helps me not be afraid to get over obstacles reaching my goals or reaching out asking for an audition.

Joseph Pearlman, my acting teacher, also says one similar, he also says if someone’s going to be angry with you for asking or reaching out, do you really want to work with them?

So, if it’s meant to be and you reach out to someone and they positively respond, then you are in the right place. If they don’t and they’re not nice to you, then you weren’t meant to work with them.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

This is a hard one… There are so many people I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with but this one came to my mind first.

When I was a little girl my bedtime stories were not the normal sweet bedtime stories. My mother was German and she had a big heart for the Jewish people that suffered so much in Germany. She read us stories of how certain German people hid the Jews in walls or in attics. How they helped them escape in some way. I loved those stories and it caused me to have an enormous heart for the Jewish people. I have continued to read stories like and of World War II (which my father was in). I love period films and I love history.

I have always loved everything that Steven Spielberg has created. I think I went and saw “Shindlers List” at least seven times. I get tears even thinking about it. I love everything Speilberg has created and I would

love to be in something he is producing, writing, directing. He amazes me. If I could ever sit down with anyone, he would be on the top of my list.

How can our readers follow you online?

Instagram: @susan.k.chambers

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview. I really appreciate it

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