Rachel Sussman
Tony Award-nominated producer explains the differences between producing theater vs film
Rachel Sussman is a Tony Award-nominated theater producer who believes in hope, not optimism.
Rachel has been on my radar for a while, and our interview was almost a year in the making. She got busy, then I got busy, and then the universe finally carved out a time for us to record last Saturday, after COVID-19 turned our world upside down.
She also happens to be in quarantine with her BFF, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel herself, Rachel Brosnahan. She is a delight of a human who radiates positivity. She is exactly what the show (and I) needed this week.
The world is a bit scary right now, so how are you doing? How are you feeding your soul? Normally, we try to take life one moment at a time. Right now, it’s more like one breath at a time.
So, no matter what you are feeling during this uncertain time, know that it's OK. I'm here for you. I got you. And we will all get through this together.
Now, back to Rachel. She was born in Detroit and raised by a family of artists. Theatre has always been a tremendous part of her life, and led her to study acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Shortly into her journey, she realized creative producing was the jam. In our chat, she outlines what a creative producer does in the theatre world.
A co-producer of the Tony-nominated play What the Constitution Means to Me, she illuminates the process of taking a show from concept to Broadway. She breaks down the responsibilities of a lead producer vs a co-producer.
In light of COVID-19, this season of Broadway and many other art forms is being called “The Lost Season.” What the Constitution Means to Me has paused its National tour, and the run of her other show, Endlings, at the New York Theatre is currently canceled.
This week, we discuss democratizing the knowledge of producing in theater, the challenges Rachel faced to be taken seriously as a queer, young woman, and the abundance mentality.
This tumultuous time reminds me that I love producing. I love other producers, and I love getting to share these conversations with you all. I know I say it every week, but thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this life thing with me… it keeps me sane through the madness.
Can’t wait to hear what you think of this week’s episode!
xx cg
“Your job is leadership. Trust your instincts and balance that with being a good collaborator, but you don’t have to wait for someone else to tell you that you get to be in charge.”
-Rachel Sussman
Episode Transcript
