Who is Susanna Qian?
I thought this was going to be an easy question to answer but here I am – stuck. Trying to figure out who I am. I think I’m having an existential crisis. Who am I? Who are you? What is reality? Sorry what was the question?
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I moved from a corporate career and I used to always think – if I wasn’t here, I’d be an actor. Everything I’ve done so far has led me to this point in my life – being an actor and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Maybe I wouldn’t invest in crypto though.
Who inspires you and why?
It’s an exciting time because marginalized artists are starting to create new and interesting work. We’re starting to see stories we’ve never seen before from viewpoints which have traditionally been pushed out of the discussion. They’re my heroes and my inspiration. I get to do what I’m doing today because of them and I hope to be able to contribute and it’s exciting to be a part of that new wave.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Two years ago, I saw a cat on a foster home Facebook page. Nobody wanted to adopt this 8 year old FIV cat with no teeth… but I fell in love with him and it was the best decision of my life. That’s what I’d like to do… adopt all the cats that no one else wants. All the pets actually!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Greece – Athens, Paros, Naxos, Milos. The vibrancy of its modern life against so much amazing natural beauty and architecture. And the food! You can go there for the history, the people… but you can just eat and leave happy.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I like to walk through the botanical gardens and literally get lost in there. Trying to find your way out when you have no sense of direction is thrilling and I feel like it would be fun for my friends to watch me try to figure out which direction is north.
What are you currently reading?
As soon as rehearsals and the performance K-Box is over, I have A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara waiting for me on the kindle.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m currently listening to Ra Chapman’s episode on the Adopted Feels Podcast. It’s such a brilliant episode where she talks about the inspiration for her play K-Box as well as her experience as an Asian Australian actor and writer.
Happiness is?
Online shopping and points hacking. I love knowing I did not pay full price.
What does the future hold for you?
Anything and Everything. All at once.
Susanna can be seen in Malthouse Theatre’s production of Ra Chapman’s K-Box – which will be presented in the Beckett Theatre: 2 – 18 September 2022. For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Susanna Qian (supplied)