Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Summer McCusker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Summer, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

In second grade I convinced some classmates that I had a titanium hip and they *actually* believed me. I would even pretend to *knock* on it and make a dinging sound. I guess the jig is up now.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Thank you so much for having me! I’ve been involved in the arts scene for quite some time. I got my BFA in performance from Columbus State and then dove into the world of theatre for young audiences. I toured the US with the California Theatre Center, the National Theatre for Children, and Lexington Children’s Theatre for about five years. I also did a stint as a seasonal performer at Walt Disney World in Orlando. I returned to Atlanta in 2011 because I was tired of living out of a suitcase and wanted to have a more permanent place to call home. (I also really wanted my own cat!). Shortly after moving to Atlanta, I signed with Atlanta Models and Talent. I also began performing with the mainstage cast of Sketchworks Comedy, and other theaters such as The Springer Opera House, The Legacy Theatre, Act 3, and Out of Box Theatre. I have been incredibly fortunate to work on some really incredible projects, such as voicing Google Fiber, mounting and performing a brand new parody musical in New York City, and voicing a new American Girl doll introduced in 2021.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I am a wildly sentimental person who feels most myself when meaningfully engaged with others, so I’ve found a really lovely home within the arts and have cast a pretty wide net of friends and colleagues across the globe. I’ve met some of the kindest and most incredible people working on stages, sets, and behind the glass of a VoiceOver booth. I firmly believe that the collaborative and emotionally charged nature of creating art, combined with the unique challenges and shared experiences, creates an environment where artists form close and lasting relationships. I never pursued the entertainment industry to become “famous,” but simply because I value creating and fostering relationships within my community. I love learning about what makes people tick and sharing stories. To me, human connection is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As an openly queer actor living in the South, I’m thrilled to witness more individuals breaking barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse entertainment landscape. The entertainment industry has played a huge part in shaping cultural perceptions, but it has also perpetuated stereotypes about queer women, such as tragic endings, hyper-sexualization, and one-sided representations. For a long time, I found myself hiding behind comedic roles or solely focusing on voice-over work due to a fear of not being taken seriously as a “real” actor while presenting as queer. Before I cut my hair short, I primarily received auditions for “girl next door” roles, attempting (albeit poorly) to conform to traditional expectations to maintain mainstream appeal. However, this approach didn’t really serve me or my true self because I was being inauthentic. Once I fully embraced incorporating my own realistic flaws and vulnerabilities that challenged generalizations into my work, it became my superpower, and a lot more doors began opening up for me. As I am actively working on more film and television projects, I want to advocate for roles that showcase diverse and authentic representation. By taking on characters with depth and complexity, I can challenge stereotypes and contribute to a more inclusive portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.summermccusker.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/summermccusker
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/summer.mccusker
• Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@summermccusker

Image Credits
Jillian Melko, Steven Sukovich, Joe Funk Photo