Daily Inspiration: Meet Susan Priver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Priver

Hi Susan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Los Angeles and devoted my life to ballet, and eventually received Ford Foundation scholarships to study at George Balanchine’s SAB in NYC. This was and still is the training ground for the New York City Ballet, one of the greatest ballet companies in the world. A long story (which I’ve detailed in my memoir Dancer Interrupted) brought me to an injury and then leaving New York to finish high school in L.A.
I eventually had a short career dancing professionally for 5 years. My last professional job was with the Cleveland Ballet, and when I was fired, my whole life became a blur. At 24, there was nothing else I knew how to do. Back in the 80’s, professional ballet dancers didn’t go to college. My complete devastation allowed me eventually to pick up and start all over again. It took a lot of self a search and sadly depression, to look at how I’d lived my early years. Complete devotion can sometimes mask deeper feelings that nay not have been explored. So, soul searching (in a time when we didn’t have nearly the distractions we have now) was my path. I started to learn who I was without the veil of ballet. My passion for the theatre and some rational thought brought me to a curiosity about great playwrights. Learning to play someone different than myself became my passion, and it took so long to build any confidence in this art form. Dancers don’t speak. They listen and do. Eventually I was back on stage without my tiara and tutu, learning and thriving. Very poor, but I learned how to survive on very little in order to learn my craft.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not a smooth road at all. It took me 20 years to become an actress, and in that time, I became a waitress, a dog walker,, an art model and eventually a yoga teacher, which I still do today. Survival is first. “No one is going to help you unless you help yourself” was one of my big lessons.
And devote yourself to getting good as opposed to wanting fame or money. That never works, and I’m afraid that’s what our world has turned into in any kind of business or art.
I did years a of what used to be called equity waiver theater for 10$ a show, rehearsing constantly and squeezing in my money jobs.
I had very few auditions for film and tv, so I made my life about learning and growing and recapturing the passion I once had as a dancer. I never wax in debt, I just learned how to live on what I made. Not much.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do theater. And years ago, when I was despondent about not getting auditions, I wrote my first and only screenplay with my partner at the time. My private yoga student funded the film “What’s up, Scarlet?” and I was off to the races. I became one of the producers, and although getting the film made wasn’t easy, it was a joy to become a creator and not just an actor. I’m very proud of this film—not sure if I’m known for it, but its delightful, and we had a great time making it. The other film I produced was co-written by my partner, who also directed it. There’s a whole long story with that, but ill save you from hearing it. This was my introduction into the psychological thriller genre, and I absolutely loved playing a housebound cannibal. I was called in one review, “A homicidal Blanche Dubois.” “Serving Up Richard” was not terribly well received, but i got a few great reviews. Its been re-released recently. Don’t know if I’m known for that one either. To tie in the greatest role I’ve played, Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the actor/producer, Robert Miano saw me in this show right before the pandemic, and asked me if I might be interested in working with him and the known horror director Chad Ferrin, on a film called “Night Caller.” I ended up saying yes and played a phone psychic in some dire circumstances. I have now done 6 films with Chad including, “Scalper” “Pig Killer” “Unspeakable,” “Ed Kemper” and finally “Dorothea,” based on the serial killer Dorothea Puente. I got to play a serial killer! These last 2 I mentioned are probably the best, and are both coming out soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susanpriver.com
• Instagram: @susanpriver
• Facebook: Susanpriver