It all started when…
I fell into acting when a good friend of mine was directing a community theater play and thought I should be in it. I, one who had never acted before (you can't count being a fairy in Hansel and Gretel in the 4th grade as acting!) agreed to help my friend out and was in his play. To say that I loved it would be an understatement. From rehearsal, to learning lines, to costumes and makeup— it all just came together as one big grand experience that I could not get enough of!
I act for the sole reason to entertain. I love to hear the audience react. Whether it is with laughter, sighs or even angst, that is what I strive for. I want the audience to escape for 2 hours and leave their worries behind.
I am not sure that acting is a passion because there have been many years that I have not acted and my life continued just fine. But when I am in a show, if it's a good show, with a great cast, a fabulous director, and seats filled to the max with audiences, then it is the greatest feeling and I am truly passionate about it.
As far as my art is concerned, I am not sure that I ever was not creating. I remember that I used to rearrange my bedroom furniture multiple times a year. I remember taking all different types of art classes in school. I have been told that I have a knack for putting outfits together. I have helped friends remodel their homes.
Some of my current artwork is inspired by pieces that I see that I take and re-create them into my own design. Other times, it's just sitting there with the clay and seeing what comes out of just playing around with it. My clay pieces are usually not functional, but pieces that are unique yet hold no “purpose” except to be one of a kind.
Sue Schaffel is an accomplished EMC actor who is based in Southwest Florida.
