We recently connected with Robert Sudhoff and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I wonder about having a “regular job” everyday. I’ve never felt a calling to another profession other than acting. But, the idea of a “regular job” stays in the back of my mind; sometimes as fear driven response to a perceived failure. At other times just as curious thought about the millions of different roads I could have taken with my life. I think all creatives do this. By our very nature we’re curious, we’re explorers. We try to understand ourselves. A natural part of that is wondering about ourselves, choices, and world around us. Last year was the closest I ever came to throwing in the towel on my acting. I felt like I keep hitting walls, like I was falling behind in some imaginary race I’d created for myself. Worse, I left like I was disconnected from my acting, as if I was stuck in some bubble that kept me distant from it, I could see it but couldn’t connect with it. It often felt like I’d wasted my life, put all this time and energy into something only to lose touch with it. I kept going, refusing to give up on it. “The only way out is through” a mentor of mine told me. You live with the feelings, explore the sensation of separation, let go of this self imposed finish line, and most importantly trust yourself. Eventually I came out of that bubble. I came out more creative, more in touch with myself and far happier with my art than I’ve ever been.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My full and stage name is Robert John Sudhoff. I moved to LA from Kansas City Missouri roughly three years ago. Acting was what called to me, I think that came from my desire to be James Bond or Indiana Jones. I wanted to go on adventures, save the world, fight nazis, and get the girl. I figured where better to do that then the in the movies. Growing up I lived in a small rural town a few hours north of Kansas City. Acting experience there were few and far between. Much of my pre college experience came from summer camps down in Kansas City. At this time acting was almost more of a hobby. Don’t get me wrong it’s all I wanted and I took it very seriously, but I don’t think I fully gave it the respect acting deserves to be your craft.
Then I went to the National High School Institute at Northwestern the summer before my senior year. The acting world suddenly exploded. I was thrust into more advanced forms of script analysis, character creation, techniques (like Meisner), mask work, Chekhov, Shakespeare, and so much more. More than that I was exposed to people who felt the same way I did, who saw acting as more than a summer camp or after school activity. They gave me the fire and courage to give the time and energy acting required to be my craft.
I went on to earn my BFA in acting from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. I worked, saved up money, and navigated a global pandemic in Kansas City before moving to Los Angeles.
Currently I study at the Margie Haber Studio. No matter who you are, there is always more to learn with our art form. That’s one of my favorite aspects of acting; you’re always growing, learning, and changing. Always jump in the deep end with acting, that’s how I’ve always approached my work. Ready to play, explore, fall flat on my face, and try a new idea. I’m drawn to characters in conflict with themselves. They have an edge or are haunted, yet can still be funny, charming, sympathetic, heroic, villainous, scared, brave, and most importantly messy. I find those to be the most interesting, rewarding, and human characters to explore.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Not necessarily unlearn, but I had to readjust or find a new approach to the “grind mindset” to finding success. There seems to be this idea, specifically for creatives or other perceived “competitive” industries, that you must focus only have your craft until you find success. That there isn’t enough space for anything else. I think this is incredibly dangerous. While hard work and dedication are essential, there has to be more in your life. If all you have is your craft, then what do you use to fuel yourself? Just more craft on top of the craft? It’s like using only coffee beans to grow more coffee beans. You also need water, soil, sunlight, time, etc. When I first moved to Los Angeles I fell into a rut of the “only my craft” mindset. I thought that could get me out of the struggles I was having with my art. It wasn’t until I started engaging with hobbies, interests, and new experiences that I truly did start to improve.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’ve always found that having an real impact on someone to be the most rewarding part of our work. It’s a cliche, but cliches exist for a reason. People are always looking for art or entertainment, no matter the medium or genre, that pulls at something in them. I want my work to pull at people. If we’re asking people to give us their time, energy, and money to engage with what we’re making then we should strive for it to resonate; not merely something to make money or fulfill our own egos. When I can feel that my work means something to others is when I know I’ve lived up to my own goal; that there was something honest and compelling in the work. That it was worth the energy others gave to engage with it. There’s nothing more rewarding than that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @robertjohnsudhoff
• Other: IMDb page Robert John Sudhoff

Image Credits
Deidhra Fahey Tom Charlesworth Erin Stricker