It's been a fantastically full fall for Susan Kelechi Watson, who is probably best known for her SAG-winning work as Beth Pearson on NBC's This Is Us.
Earlier this season, Watson played Aisha in the New York premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames's Good Bones at Off-Broadway's Public Theater. While performing in the Saheem Ali-directed production at night, the four-time NAACP Image Award nominee was rehearsing daily for the current Lincoln Center Theater production of Katori Hall's The Blood Quilt.
Watson plays Cassan, one of four sisters who gathers at her childhood home to honor the siblings' late mother by creating a family quilt, a reunion marred by a troubling inheritance. Lileana Blain-Cruz directs the limited engagement, which is currently scheduled through December 29 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.
Watson, whose stage credits also include the Shakespeare in the Park mounting of Merry Wives as well as productions of Core Values, Eureka Day, Twelfth Night, A Raisin in The Sun, and Marley, The Story, has also been seen on screen in Will Trent, Louie, The Blacklist, Divorce, Private Practice, Law & Order, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Peter and John, and Small Moving Parts. Watson also executive-produced and starred in Ta-Nehisi Coates鈥� Between the World and Me for HBO, and in the year to come, she will be seen in Shonda Rhimes' new series The Residence on Netflix.
In the interview below for the 半岛体育 series How Did I Get
Here鈥攕potlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians,
and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is
live theatre鈥擶atson shares the challenges of performing in back-to-back Off-Broadway shows and why theatre is so necessary in difficult times.
Where did you train/study?
Susan Kelechi Watson: Howard University and NYU.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
Ron
Van Lieu and Jim Calder. Ron laid the foundation for the actor I am
today. He taught me to give all of me and not to hold back. Jim taught
me how to do "it" afraid and to be courageous enough to embrace the
unknown and figure it out as I go.
How did you manage, logistically and energy wise, performing in Good Bones at night while rehearsing for The Blood Quilt during the day?
It
was the most tired I鈥檝e ever been in life. But I prepared for The Blood
Quilt by memorizing the script over my summer vacation, knowing that I
would rehearse and perform Good Bones first. Then by the time I got to The Blood Quilt rehearsals, which was the day before we froze Good Bones, I had a strong idea of my character, and I was just reminding
myself of the words. Logistically, the theatres were kind enough to make
some transportation provisions when needed, but you never realize how
far Lincoln Center Theater and The Public are from one another until you
have to commute daily during rush hour!
I鈥檓 grateful for the support I had around me to get me through the day-to-day and constant script work. It was also incredibly important to get adequate rest and eat well. But nothing...and I mean nothing...can prepare you for the amount of energy expended. I wrapped Good Bones in the middle of tech for The Blood Quilt, and five days later we started previews. I don鈥檛 know how soon I鈥檒l revisit back-to-back Off-Broadway shows, but I made it! And I think I鈥檓 a better artist as a result.
Tell me about the character you鈥檙e playing in The Blood Quilt. Have you based your portrayal on anyone in your own family?
I actually gave her the essence of my cousin, Dominic, who is like a brother to me. He is third born out of his four siblings and has a similar sort of calm, peace, and
unf---kwithable way about him that felt right for Cassan. He can manage
many different personalities well and stay pretty chill even if calm
turns to chaos. I am also the second-to-last born in my family,
but this character is definitely more Dom than me. It was rewarding to
have family who served as my reference for building this character,
especially in this play that is so deeply rooted in the familial bond.
What
has been most rewarding about appearing in the Off-Broadway premieres
of works by James Ijames and Katori Hall in the same season?
I
love being in all-Black casts telling stories that we don鈥檛 get to see
often. I. Love. That. I鈥檓 so incredibly happy to be trusted with these
characters and their stories. I鈥檓 grateful for this beautiful community
I鈥檓 a part of and proud to represent for us.
Why do you think This Is Us struck
such a chord with viewers?
This Is Us was literally just that. It was all of our stories. I have so
many beautiful memories that I'll treasure forever from that show. What a
blessing to be a part of.
What is the most memorable day job you ever had?
Working
for my friend Janet Talbert's Christian jewelry company, On This Rock. I
don鈥檛 think she realized how much she took care of me while I was a
broke and struggling actor. She gave me lunch every day, paid me better
than any temp job I ever had, and prayed I鈥檇 get an acting job even though I
was working for her!
Tell me about a job/opportunity you really wanted but didn鈥檛 get. How did you get over that disappointment?
I鈥檝e always wanted to play Isabella in Measure for Measure, and I was sad when I wasn鈥檛 even considered for the role years ago but was so happy for who got it that it took away some of the sadness. But one day...one day I tell you, I will play Isabella.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
Focus more on becoming a better artist than you do about what others think of your artistry.
In
such difficult times in this country and around the world, how do you
think theatre can play a positive role, either for yourself and/or
the community at large?
COVID
taught me that in troubled times, people will always look to the stage
and screen for comfort. We have to lead with love. People will be
watching now more than ever.
What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
Getting
here...right where I am now. It took a while. It was quite a journey
filled with highs and very low lows. But I can honestly say this "right
here"... this feels very good.
Company of The Blood Quilt
Mirirai and Adrienne C. Moore in The Blood Quilt
Susan Kelechi Watson, Crystal Dickinson, Lauren E. Banks and Adrienne C. Moore in The Blood Quilt
Lauren E. Banks, Susan Kelechi Watson and Mirirai in The Blood Quilt
Crystal Dickinson and Lauren E. Banks in The Blood Quilt
Company of The Blood Quilt
Adrienne C. Moore, Crystal Dickinson and Susan Kelechi Watson in The Blood Quilt
