Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Giosa.
Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you’re wondering how I started the Susan Giosa Acting Studio and became a highly respected acting coach – this is my story. I was an award-winning stage actress who had won 5 stage awards and earned her name “above the title” in New York City for the play Breaking Legs, which I was also nominated for Outstanding Debut of an Actress in a Comedy. I had done many Guest-star and recurring role on over 20 TV primetime shows and finally made it onto the network lists to audition for the lead of my own series. But theater was always my first passion and I found myself starring for Neil Simon in his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Lost in Yonkers for the First National Tour, again earning my name above the title. But suddenly, I found myself pregnant at 40! My husband, comedian Glenn Hirsch, was constantly touring with celebrity artists, on the road and in Las Vegas. Since he was rarely home it became evident that I would have to give up my performing career for a while. I wanted to be a full time mother and I also wanted to breast feed so I knew I needed to stay in Los Angeles where we owed our home. But having worked since I was 13, once my daughter reached 3 and was in pre-school, I wanted to work again. I decided to try and teach acting during the times she was in school. My belief is that you must spend your life doing and earning your living from things that you are passionate about and truely love. That is what I believe is true success. I discovered I really enjoyed teaching my passion for acting to others and guiding talented artists to have professional careers. I began the Susan Giosa Acting Workshop over 25 years ago which now has become the well respected Susan Giosa Acting Studio in Santa Monica, earning best Drama School in Santa Monica for 2019 and 2022.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The main struggle was maintaining a career as a performer while juggling being an acting teacher and coach and mother. As a leading stage actress who had worked with Tony Award-winning actors and directors it was very difficult rehearsing and doing a play in LA while breast feeding! But I managed to – even starring as Beatrice with Burt Young in View From the Bridge at the Lee Strasberg Theater.
The main obstacle occurred in 2009 when IMDb suddenly posted my real age. As you know many actors and performers lie about their real age. Most people, including my agents and managers, always thought I was about 10 years younger. I just naturally looked younger. But then they started to send me for my real age which unfortunately I could not book. I still struggle with this problem today. I am also a professional dancer and maintain a healthy body which makes it difficult to look my real age. Always an actress first, I had occasional been asked to dance/act in a show or a movie. But about 10 years ago I bumped into a friend I had danced with in class who is now part owner of one of the top dance agencies in the country, MSA Agency. He said, “Sue do you still kick over your head?” and I said, “Yes, I do. Tony.” “Well,” he said, “we sometimes need older dancers.” and invited me to interview at the agency. I signed immediately and have been blessed to book many TV jobs, working with amazing dancers and choreographers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My acting studio is unique because you get me, the master teacher, for all levels, including beginners to professionals. Most studios you have to wait years to work with the master teacher. I have a BA and MA degree in Drama/Theater with a minor in Dance from the NYC university, Queens College. But I did much of my graduate work in London, England with teachers from the prestigious RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts). Many acting teachers never actually had professional acting careers, so I bring a real an understanding of performing under pressure. And I am personally invested in the growth and careers of each of my students, fuctioning not just as an acting coach but also as a mentor and a life coach.
I suffered from panic attacks as a child and young adult and suffered from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I realized when I first started auditioning that if I could not do my best under pressure I would never have a career. So I created a unique emotional warm-up and technique that quickly connects the actor to their emotional core and helps rid them of their fear of judgment, which I discovered was the cause of most of my anxiety and performance nerves.
I was lucky to have a great acting teacher who gave me the foundation for my methods. But I had to go beyond them and create my own exercises to eventually cure my own panic attacks. I started to work with other artists besides actors, like dancers, singers, writers and even people from all walks of life, CEOs of companies and even therapists. People were finding my exercises healing and empowering. And so I ended up working with therapists and patients in NYC with an extraordinary group called Critical Therapy Center founded by Silvia Dutchevici. I finally published a book with my methods and exercises called “FREEING YOUR EMOTIONAL CORE – For the Actor and the Artist”. It’s available on Amazon and on my studio website for those who are interested.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Ha, how old I am! Oh and that I have never used Botox or had any plastic surgery when they find out. But also that I gave natural childbirth at 41.
I have sort of become a bit of a TikTok sensation since I had a video go viral with 15 million views teaching people how to play drunk. All my videos are taken while I am teaching at my studio and people seem to find them insightful and helpful and hopefully entertaining.
Oh and I cut my own hair!
Pricing:
- Acting Technique and Scene Study classes are $260 for once a week per 4 weeks
- Classes are $390 for twice a week for 4 weeks
- Zoom Audition Class is $140 for once a week for 4 weeks
- Call the studio for Private coaching rates – there are discount packages for 5 or 10 coatings
- Private Coaching is also offered for children who are serious about becoming professional actors
Contact Info:
- Website: Susan Giosa Acting Studio https://www.susangiosa.com
- Instagram: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@susangiosa?_t=ZT-8w7VGrVOAGM&_r=1
- Facebook: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/susangiosa?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-giosa-63a2114a
- Twitter: IMDb https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0320448/
- Youtube: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@SusanGiosaActing
- Yelp: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SusanGiosaActingWorkshop?mibextid=wwXIfr
Photo by Bradford Rogne Photography
Image Credits
1) Photographer Bradford Rogne took the first headshot in the red dress and the dancer full body photo in black
2) Studio Logo and Website designed by Cheryl Cochran
