Audrey Suggs

ACTOR OF THE MONTH: Audrey Suggs

Lights, Camera, Action...

Interview by The Heat Seekers

Audrey Suggs: Her acting stands out in film, theater, and short skits. She is one to look out for.

THS: Tell us about you?

Audrey Suggs: Those who know me know that I am an open book. I love learning about and working with people, hence my 31 years as an educator. I have three gorgeous adult daughters and two handsome grandsons (but I may be biased lol). My daily prayer is and has always been that God blesses me to BE a blessing to those I encounter whether it be in word or deed. I believe this is a large part of my purpose.

THS: What prompted you to enter the field of acting?

AS: It was my attempt at trying to live a life much different than the one I was actually living. I was so painfully shy (believe it or not) and fearful of rejection. It’s ironic however that I would actually step on the stage scared as I could be and instantly transform into the character I was assigned as soon as the lights came on. It was the same when I stood in front of the camera for the first time. And after all these years, I still have the same nervousness when getting ready to do what I do, on stage or on film.

THS: When did acting become a priority?

AS: For me just about eight years ago actually. Before that I was making sure that my daughters were being taken care of. As a divorced mother of three young girls, I wanted to secure their well-being over anything that I wanted for myself. I never wanted them to feel as if they came second in my world. But NOW that they are adults, I had to turn to my dream of being a performer. It was hard to stop being the care-giver first and putting myself as a priority. It took those same young ladies that I reared to be strong in their faith and beliefs to push ME out of the nest per se. and once I got a taste of the OUTSIDE…it’s been on and popping since.

THS: What are some of the things that inspired you?

AS: The tenacity of that “little girl inside of me who was so very shy and fearful of rejection”. THAT person wanted to prove to everyone (but especially herself…ME) that she belonged; that she was likable; that she was worthy of the chance to show what she could do. I was always expecting to be rejected (couldn’t get use to the feeling, but I EXPECTED it, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy). But God blessed me to come into the spaces of people who saw more in me than I saw in myself. I had a professor in college (Fayetteville State University) who told me that I needed to be responsible for writing my life’s script and stop waiting for folk to invite me into their world. She told me if I didn’t expect more for myself, why should I expect anyone else to do so? Dr. Izola Young…Queen, I wish you were alive today to see how your words affected me. Continue to “Rest in Power”.

THS: If you had a word of inspiration to share with up and coming talents what would it be?

AS: It would be to just “GO FOR IT”. If you are truly serious about this field, or anything for that matter, you need to find out as much as you can about all areas. Learn the ropes to as much as you can. Work wherever your hands and heart takes you. Never be too proud to start from the bottom, just learn all you can while you rise. Don’t count on JUST TALENT alone; do the work!

THS: What is a day on the set like?

AS: Wow, a day on the set! For me, my mind is always geared into what “truth am I bringing to the stage or to the film” (Thanks, Angelicia Hicks). My nerves STILL do the routine shaking, but I try to keep the air light and airy so that everyone, no matter in what area they are working, feel confident about putting on a fantastic project. I’m a supporter. I try to be inspiration I know I need for me.

THS: What is your most memorable acting experience?

AS: Hmmm, my most memorable acting experience happened in two separate stage shows. I was dubbed the responsibility of playing two major roles in the same shows. In both shows the characters I ended up playing were VASTLY different from each other (the looks, to the personality, etc.) In the first show, I was initially playing a role of a crotchety old woman who was mean and nasty to ER’body, but especially to her niece and her children, who were going thru some really rough times as they were having to start over after a bad relationship. Then I was asked to step in to play a second character when the actor dropped out of the show almost a month before the show’s debut. I was just filling in until a new actor could come thru but the director decided she liked what I was doing and I became the character permanently. This role was a young, ditzy, love-struck woman who ends up having a nervous breakdown. To have to switch from an old woman (hair, clothing, lipstick, walk and mannerisms) to this much younger woman was a truly exciting experience. Of course, there were a couple of near misses with me almost coming out with the wrong wig for one of the characters. There were also a couple of times that I couldn’t get back on the stage fast enough so the other actors had to strategically carry on til I could get on. The audience never knew there was a problem.

THS: Who do you dream to work with one day?

AS: ONE of my dream actors to be able to perform along side is the illustrious and incomparable Ms. Jenifer Lewis. I LOVE HER! So many folks have said that I remind them of her. We sound alike with the same raspy voice and I’ve been told that I can look like her. I love that compliment. Now, if I could only get a bank account that looks like hers, lol. I’ve been blessed lately to be called on for more and more film roles and I can not begin to say how excited that is for me. I’m still a teacher but retirement may be sooner than I thought, lol. I mean, it HAS been a 31-year run. I have a couple film projects that I am working with in the next couple of weeks. I have quite a few film credits that I’m so happy about. The latest projects that has been published is called “Boo Boo the Fool”, “Secure the Bag 2”, and “Wall of Secrets 2”; all on Tubi and a few other streaming outlets. I am also working with a theatre troupe in adapting a stage production into a film called “Say It Ain’t So” by Antoine Duane Jones so keep your eyes open for that, as well.

THS: Give us info where you can be contacted/social media. AS: I have an IMDb page that shows a few of the projects I’ve been blessed to be a part of. Sadly, I’ve recently had to recreate a new Facebook page due to the ruthless commandeering of my previous page (“How Wude”). The Facebook page is AudreySuggsTheActress.