Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah Sulak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hannah, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
There almost seems to be this universal feeling for creatives… this fluttering rush in the chest of jubilee and gulping fear.. that they might be called to be an artist. For most creative kin that I dig deep into conversations about this with, the seed of their artistic path started to take root in them as children. I can echo that narrative. As children we often walk in creative freedom. It’s how we learn to interpret and learn about the world we’ve been born into. We study the color wheel, we memorize songs, we draw, we run around the backyard in imaginative play, and we watch movies or shows that teach us how to put category to our laughter and our tears.
I recently returned to Bellingham, WA – the small PNW town in which my youth took place, to visit family and old friends. I stumbled across some fuzzy home videos from the 90s. Archives I had never before encountered. It was surreal, reliving core memories etched into my brain from a third person perspective. In combing through these, I was affirmed in that artistic seed. My mother, Heidi, was a grand nurturer of my creative world. She would softly push my little self in front of the camera my dad was holding, and say “Go, on, get your fingers out of your mouth, go on miss Hannah…” and shyly I would sing twinkle twinkle little star, or tell a story about a road trip we had just been on. My mom had said I was always an observer, making up silly ways of sharing what I saw and felt. Seeing it first hand was like giving my child-self a hug.
The journey and path to choosing this deep part of me as a profession hasn’t always been easy. I’d argue for many artists, choosing to be a professional creative means choosing rejection, eating canned soup for days on end, experiencing relational discord. Yes these are all fears that rush through the creative brain. But that’s what fear does, it rushes forth with lies for you. It hides in logic, and says “I’m here to protect you, you’re going to fail, you’re going to embarrass yourself”. But that’s the funny thing about life! It’s full of all those things – pain, embarrassment, failure. It’ll inevitably come up no matter what choices we make. It counts, if we choose to feel it, let it pass through, stand up…and dust ourselves off…it counts. In acting, we use such raw spectrums of the human experience to feed into our interpretations. We allow them to transform into new, livable, truthful moments, that evoke experience and empathy in viewers (unconscious as we are of them). I refuse to believe that the “starving and suffering artist” has to be our identity alongside this magnificent work we do. What if we treated our creative pursuits with the mentality of “Why NOT me and why NOT now”. Because there’s no better time than the present to do hard things. We can do hard things. There’s something special out there for each of us, but we have to give ourselves PERMISSION to lead that life and let that out. I’m not going to find fulfilling peace in living out someone else’s dream, I have to do my thing, and only in the way that I can do it.
The truth that gifted me the boldness to live into those words was this: “I am enough, right now, all that I am. Today will change me, hopefully for the better, at least by 1%… and tomorrow I’ll still be myself, just not the same”.
My professional path to acting is still in continuous momentum, I’m being called into more and more professional spaces as the years go on. But it had to start with the initial leap of faith. Which was back in 2015 when I was 18 years old, fresh out of high school. I was coming down off of the euphoria of being in the Jimmy Awards, a national competition for select high school students in musical theater. I was still navigating the uncomfortable thought that I was worthy of being among them. That people saw me as elite in a craft that I used to investigate the world or even escape the world. I got sucked into wondering how this all would be sustainable. But thankfully through some wise voices in my life, and my faith in God, I came into comfort with the unknown. I didn’t let the “how” stop me from dreaming and doing. I asked myself if it took 15 years from now…would I be okay with that? The answer was yes. And if my dreams as I currently see them never happened, would I be ok with that? Oof, deep breath…yes. Because I love the process. I had to believe this was what I was created to do. If I didn’t believe in it, who else would? To this day people still refer to what I do as a “dream” or a “pursuit” like it won’t happen or that I’m not living in it day to day. I am an actor, I will always be an actor. It it part of the very fibers of me. And it will find it’s way into other areas of my life, just like how other areas of my life feed into the crafting behind my characters.
What we as artists do is so important, a gift to our personal development as a human being, and a sacrificial gift to those who get to partake in our creative process. We deserve to be paid livable, sustainable wages for what we do! I am so proud and inspired by the work being done by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA on the picket lines. As a SAG-E performer, they are paving the way for the future of creatives and workers, not just in LA but across the globe.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I believe strongly in the power of story, the connective way our human nature yearns for it… needs it. It is a joy to join the intricacies of myself, and those of a character. Learning and navigating both strong and swirling inner worlds. When I think of my own narrative, I have to believe some core things. One, that I am enough. Two, that I can’t get “me” wrong. And three, it’s all so much bigger than me.
HISTORY:
I was born to a mother who is a labor and delivery nurse, and a father who was a firefighter. Dinner table conversations were quite something. I’m the third born in a family of six. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. Being the middle youngest comes with a range of dynamics and experiences. I’m learning through therapy that childhood and birth order has a lot to do with our adult experience! I experienced being the youngest, then middle, then oldest child at different stages of our youth.
We grew up in the Pacific Northwest – Bellingham, Washington to be specific, just a few miles south of the Canadian border. For most of my childhood we were raised on trees and books and wild gardens that never wanted or waited for a drink, and therefore granted morning, midday, and afternoon snacks. I left the slow life near the sleepy bees and snow covered volcanos for something a bit more buzzing. Los Angeles. This is where my education and community began to blossom. And the grounding disciplines, values, and wonderments from my upbringing, kept me…well…kind.
MENTORSHIP | EDUCATION:
Beginning my career in musical theater from middle school into high school, I became Nationally recognized in 2015, making my debut performance on Broadway in the Jimmy Awards, as Mary Poppins. Right on the heels of graduating I earned Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th Avenue Theater Awards, and they flew me to New York to compete at the National High School Musical Theater Awards. Although I didn’t win the competition, I was gifted long lasting friendships, extensive professional training, and industry connections. Best of all, it launched my belief in myself, and the knowledge that this career path was mine own. Some of the industry professionals I crossed paths with from this season of life were Eden Espinosa, Keisha Lalama, and Van Kaplan.
I then relocated to LA for deepened education. In 2019 I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for the Stage and Screen at Azusa Pacific University. In my last stage performance senior year, I was nominated for an Irene Ryan Award in Acting for my lead role as Mary Haines in The Women. During my time in school I trained under industry professionals such as Jesse Corti, Andi Chapman, Alexandra Wright, Jill Brennan Lincoln, Luke Woodruff, David Hadinger, Kirsten Humor, Rachel Tracy, and Monica Ganas. These individuals nurtured my industry standards, and made sure I didn’t enter into the industry too green.
PRESENTLY:
At the tale end of 2020, I was able to secure well rounded team for representation (all female, which I this is too cool!). I am currently in a TWO YEAR Meisner Intensive at Joshua Bitton’s Studio in NOHO. I first found his classes by word of mouth, and began periodically taking scene study classes weekly. I always enjoy the occasional C.D. workshop (I find mine through Tracy Esposito) and self producing projects in between consistent auditioning! One my my deepest joys in life is challenging myself in learner-ship. Big pod-cast lady. Sharpening skills that are already deeply engrained in my person, and setting the bar high, but achievable.
JOYS:
While a keen mind is key to my professional longevity, another area of my training I find vital for my wellness is in the body. I’ve been tapped into stunt-work (Sword and Shield, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Guns, Ligthsabers) through training at Swordplay LA. One of my favorite genre’s as a girl was historical fiction and fantasy. I would marvel at tales of lady knights and female royal leaders who defied or rose above their station. “The Song of the Lioness”, “The Two Princesses of Bamarre”, “Narnia”, “Lord of the Rings”, “The Royal Diaries” are just a few that played a pivotal role in how I began perceiving the potential behind woman leadership, empowerment, and boldness. These characters poured forth values of nobility, wit, sacrifice, endurance, and a pressing onward from failure or oppression. Eh, a bit of stubbornness mixed in there as well, which…I for sure have. I hope to embody roles in stories such as these during the arch of my career.
To continue talking about ways I love on my body and mind, MODO Hot Yoga in La Brea is integrated into my rhythms on a biweekly bases. And I bond with my brother through Rock Climbing at the local Touchstone Climbing Gym.
On slow days – I light incense or a candle, curl up with my cat and read a play or a shaping novel. Right now I’m finishing up Atomic Habits by James Clear. Sometimes I’ll treat myself to the pottery wheel at Green & Bisque Clayhouse and free throw whatever vessel comes to life.
Other free days will be spent going out to coffee, brunch, or a walk with a good friend. One of my favorite spots is Kitchen Mouse Cafe in Highland Park. A late night escapade with a group of hooligans to Low Boy in Echo Park for fries and drink…always hits the spot as well.
RECENT WORKS:
As a SAG-E actress, I’ve been proactive and productive creating and participating in Indie Short films. I recently starred, produced, directed, edited and casted a music backed video concept/narrative called STAY (RUN) which is streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and various other platforms. It touches on topics of mental health and community.
Recently, I was able to put my intermediate-advanced swords work into practice participating as the lead protagonist in a stunt fantasy short called “Dauntless and the Demigod”. My character is Elaith Rien, the last of the Order of Souls, the oldest surviving historians of Olladra, the world this piece is set in. Magic and myth over technology and science is the process by which day to day business continues. They have kept written copies of the history of the world over time. As the world changed and they witnessed a darkness beginning to spread they developed martially. The Order of Souls eventually discovered the source of this darkness and the truth behind it, the Sparfell family… keep your eye out for this project’s release! It’s currently in post production.
Just this last month filming completed for another Indie short film called “June” in which I co-starred as the character June in “June”. The cast and crew roadtripped into the thick nature of Mammoth and Bishop to shoot, it was gloriously beautiful. The story tracks mainly two characters, Paul and June, who are on a journey to June Lake to spread the ashes of Joey, Paul’s older brother and June’s best friend. Although they grew up together, the two are faced with vast changes to their childhood environments and find themselves in a dynamic attempt to either preserve what was, start something new, or leave it all behind…
Much to look forward to in days to come! Life is good.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
PAY US MORE. There’s this rough saying that goes…”If you think an actor is well off financially, then you haven’t dated one”. Like I said, ROUGH. But money, sadly is the language of the world, and there’s a reason people associate it with the word freedom. Not saying that money can buy happiness, but having it does provide peace and liberty to thrive. And I’m not just talking the ability to funnel those funds into new creative projects, I ALSO mean so that we can eat and pay rent and take care of our basic functions so that we can provide the best service possible.
For a long time I would do free work. Because I cared. Duh, I cared, I love what I do. But it would be like a war in my brain. Compromise my wellbeing to work on this project that speaks to me and resonates with other work I want to do… or reject the job and not dip below the poverty line. I’m not saying this is how it is for all artists, but for many of us, yes, it is. Or it fluctuates where there are seasons of fruitfulness, and then dry spells. Those dry spells can last months…years…
SO, here’s my advice to my fellow creatives (this also applies to non creatives of society). Have an emergency fun. Six months of expenses saved will change the game. This allows you to do the jobs you actually wanna take, and not compromise your moral ethics nor your well being. In those seasons of “things are looking good”, set aside a portion of whatever consistent paycheck you’re getting into your savings.
Do whatever percentage is manageable for you, just as long as you keep at least 30% for your taxes (if contracted work), AND have enough to pay your reps. It can feel defeating seeing all that money from the gross channel away so quickly, but trust, it’ll accumulate. Plus! You may just become a better negotiator because you don’t HAVE to take a job. Don’t compromise.
Of course, this works for me. I’m thankfully in a season where I’m still looking for BOTH high paying gigs, and quality gigs. But there of course was a time where that was not the case.
Oo! Another way society can best support artists, is not shame them for doing their “providing job”, better known to some as “side-hustle” or “real job”. SIMPLY AFFIRM THEM.
For me, that has embodied itself through nannying, barista-ing, receptionist, office assistant, retail, working in a bakery, a greenhouse, lifeguarding…she’s a Jill of all trades. And while I didn’t necessarily LOVE what I was doing, I did it with all my heart, because I knew deep down that there was something to be learned there that would feed my creative process. I mean heck, most service jobs deal with HUMAN BEINGS, loads of versions of them. Do you know how many times I’ve pocketed an eccentric client or coworker for a character? Being in my providing job has also always looped me back into the arts. Heck, as I barista, I unknowingly become dear friends with one of the producers of Stranger Things!
Success looks so different to everyone, especially in different moments. I personally define success moment to moment. At times, living into my success as an actor was reading a play before drifting off to sleep, or watching a successful series I’ve been hearing about. It could be spending your hard earned money on an acting class. Other times it may be getting that big role with your favorite director. Other times it may be knowing you gave a truthful moment in a indie you are filming. Or even just reserving enough energy to show up well for yourself and for those you love.
My intention with these words is simply to offer enlightenment. I hope you can read this and either relate, or empathize!
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Yes, find yourself a mentor. Someone who is a few years ahead of you, even decades ahead. Someone who can pick your brain and visa versa. Sure everyone’s artistic journey is dynamic and different. But perhaps this perhaps this person can look at you and say “Ah, you remind me a little of myself at your age, not exactly, but a little. Stick with it kid, you’ll get through this, and one day you’ll be looking back as I am now, so grateful for what your younger self did for you”.
We creatives, simply can’t do it alone. One of the best things I did for myself was starting to take classes. Learning and studying your craft never stops. I believe that the moment we stop growing or learning is when we die inside. I’m currently studying Meisner Technique, and the class, in only a few short months has gotten so close. Acting is incredibly intimate and it’s important to find a space to make mistakes, explore your limits and take off your armor. Not only do I know myself in a whole new depth, I have a built in set of new mates.
Another genre of community you could seek out is an accountability group. You could me weekly, biweekly, whatever works. Just as long as it’s consistent. Mine has been going strong for two years now. We come to our zoom meeting with happies and crappies of the week both in life and career. We strategize attainable weekly, monthly, and yearly goals along with structures to attain them. This space fosters relatability and a sense of feeling known. It keeps depression, anxiety, and hopelessness outside the door.
It’s true, that when preparation meets opportunity, something magical can happen. As an introverted extrovert, I thrive in diving deep into the layers of my prep. I lock in. This is efficient to a point. But when I need to run a scene through with another actor, or I need a wall to bounce a interpretation off of… I’d feel like a burden. But what if reaching out to that person or group of people actually opened up the opportunity you needed? Actually expanded the preparation to a point where changes were higher in your favor. Involve the people who are invested in your journey. Sure it hurts to see them hurt when you hurt or feel second hand rejected when you get rejected. But think of it like they are adding pennies to a jar of potential that will absolutely one day become full and cashed in. I love the phrase, “When you share your burdens they can be diluted and when you share your joys they can be multiplied”.
I tried to do it alone for far too long, and waisted so much time. When you need help, be bold enough to reach out for it. You might just be surprised by how many hands reach back.
RESOURCES:
Audrey Helps Actors Podcast + Self Tape May Challenge
The Big Picture Podcast
The Tao of Show Business by Dallas Travers
Freeing the natural Voice by Linklater
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hannahsulak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahsulak/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-sulak-a25649113
- IMDbPro: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm9380304/overview
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9380304/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_Hannah%2520Sulak
Image Credits
Nikki Romo Photography, James Depietro, Cristina Moskewicz, Leah Huebner, Taylor Burke.