Stepping Into the Life of Susan Peters

One of the roles that has stayed with me over the years was playing Susan Peters in Richard Willett’s Random Harvest, directed by Elizabeth Beckwith at Homegrown Theater. Susan Peters was a real-life actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age—a bright-eyed, lesser-known movie star whose promising career was altered by a tragic accident that left her with a physical ailment.

What I loved about working on this role was the chance to inhabit both sides of her journey: the innocence and enthusiasm she radiated when she was young, and the stark reality she faced later in life as her health changed. That emotional shift—from vitality to vulnerability—was incredibly moving to explore on stage.

Being part of the Homegrown Theater company also made the experience special. Surrounded by such talented and nurturing actors, I felt part of a true artistic family. In fact, Richard Willett recently came to see me perform at Pacific Resident Theater, which reminded me just how lasting and meaningful these theater connections can be.

Looking back, I’ll admit there are moments I wish I could revisit. As an artist, I often find myself thinking, Oh, I could add this, or deepen that choice. With Susan, I especially feel that way, because her story was so layered and full of humanity. Still, what stayed with me most was the opportunity to honor her openness and her resilience, and to share the emotional arc of a woman navigating both joy and hardship.

It’s one of those roles that reminds me why I love acting: the chance to bring forgotten voices to life, and to discover new truths in the process.