Profession: Actor, Singer, Voice-Over Artist, Icon
Susannah Mars, a cornerstone of Portland’s arts scene, has been captivating audiences for decades with her authentic performances and community-driven philosophy. Growing up in an artistic household, she developed a profound appreciation for the arts, which she now channels into her diverse roles and dynamic storytelling. A Resident Artist at Artists Repertory Theatre, she has also shone in productions such as Portland Playhouse’s Scarlet and Portland Opera’s Sweeney Todd. Susannah’s accolades include six Portland Critics Awards and two Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards. Her advocacy for stronger ties between artists and local businesses has fostered community building, while her philanthropic efforts uplift emerging artists.
Artslandia: How have your experiences shaped your career in theater?
Susannah Mars: My parents could make something out of nothing with their art, and I enjoy that kind of artistic conjuring myself. I’ve had swaths of time with no work, and that’s when making something out of nothing has come in handy, in addition to my willingness to dive into my warehouse of stories and life experiences. Several incarnations of my show Mars on Life, including Mars on Life: The Holiday Edition, grew out of having no work.
Similarly, my show, Good Grief, about my life with my father during his illness and subsequent death, was another profound opportunity that Artists Rep and the Regional Arts and Culture Council afforded me through the funding to explore and build that work. To process my personal grief journey with fellow artists and then share that experience publicly was terrifying and cathartic. My connection to the audience has continued to deepen, and as I pursue the topic of grief in my work, now in the short, animated film Symphony of Grief, I continue to be in contact with some of those patrons and audience members, who I think of as friends.
A: How do you navigate the balance between entertainment and activism through your art?
SM: I’ve been lucky to have found many opportunities to explore the art/activism dynamic, which has perhaps resulted from looking for places where I could serve in my community. I traveled to Egypt as an Arts Envoy with the State Department, which was thrilling. That experience incorporated Jonathan Walters from Hand2Mouth Theatre, with whom I subsequently worked on a beautiful piece entitled We Live Here. Both experiences were artist-devised works built from scratch, which feels like the work of activists—activating the artists to bring pertinent issues, such as those around access and belonging, to light.
About three years ago, I became involved in writing audio descriptions and have been audio-describing theater and film ever since. I love audio description; it’s a unique dive into access and allows me to connect with a new set of patrons and makers of art and culture in our community.
I am a privileged person. Everything I do is an opportunity to listen, open, and give space. Theater is one of the places where art is activism and entertainment. That’s quite possibly the only “multitask” I believe in.
A: How does the collaborative and ephemeral nature of theater contribute to creating meaningful connections with diverse audiences, and what efforts have you made to enhance these connections in your work?
SM: Theater artists create a singular event, yet it is repeatable. The director has a vision for the play, and the actors and creative team chart a path together to lift that vision. It requires a beautiful collaborative spirit. An audience is necessary for the piece to come to fruition. An exchange of breath, space, and energy takes place. We can look back at each performance and perceive nuances and shifts in the work. A different audience, a shift in performance, a change in the weather, and the latest breaking news all impact what unfolds onstage.
Representation comes into play in diverse stories; it allows everyone to see themselves onstage and be offered catharsis. Diverse representation of stories and artists is imperative to the work. It leads to compassion and connection.
"Diverse representation of stories and artists is imperative to the work. It leads to compassion and connection."
A: How does theater contribute to building community and fostering connections in Portland, and what specific actions can individuals and businesses take to support and engage with the local theater scene?
SM: Back in the day, when I did the holiday show at Artists Rep, I walked around the neighborhood to ask local shopkeepers if they’d donate a gift for me to give away. I was rarely told “no.” Those folks would come to the show, celebrate with us, and have a joyful time. The community feels key.
I’m on the board at Portland Center Stage, which is an honor. I asked Kimiko Matsuda if she’d walk with me in our neighborhood. She’s the marketing maven for The Multnomah Whiskey Library. Kimiko. Knows. Everyone. I was stunned that many folks surrounding The Armory had never been to a show by Portland Center Stage. I grew up attending the theater, curled up in the corners of rehearsal rooms, and seeing art. That was my language: art and theater. And community is an essential part of that. We need each other. We need every business to see and recommend shows, and we artists must visit and recommend every business in our neighborhoods.
It’s all about community. I hope people will find a theater—a place that tells the stories that carry them into that magic, a place that leaves you with more questions than answers—and support that place with your purchased ticket, your donation, or your volunteerism. That makes a difference to artists. Buy local! (Local art included!). Find your favorite actors and attend their shows. Use local actors to do your voice-overs. Positive change can’t help but happen when we become part of something bigger than ourselves, creating a safe place to exchange ideas and dreams. We can be the change we want to see in the world by connecting to art and allowing art to move through everything we do.
A: Can you tell us about your current involvement with Artists Repertory Theatre and how it aligns with your artistic goals?
SM: I am excited to continue my connection to Artists Rep. The new space is stunning, and I have been proud to be a Resident Artist there. I’m one of the writers on the first show they’re producing in the fall—The Event! (October 13–November 10). The online writing group that created that show was a lifesaver for me during the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to walking in the community with Artists Rep in my heart. Whatever I’m working on, I shout it from the rooftops wherever I go.
