Meet Ramon Suzara

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ramon Suzara. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ramon below.

Hi Ramon, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I was in the second semester of my freshman year of college in a theatre 101 class I enrolled in to fulfill a G.E. requirement. This was a bit outside of my comfort zone but I was interested in it. I was already on the track to major in film production so I thought this class would aid me. It was the end of the semester and my class was tasked to do a performance project for our final assignment. My professor brought out a sign up sheet that was passed around the room. We had four options we could sign up for: comedy, singing, recite a sonnet, or perform a monologue. At that time, reciting a sonnet seemed like the easiest and least terrifying thing to do so I patiently waited for my turn to put my name down for that. When the sheet was handed to me the only available slots left were for monologues or singing. I sure as hell wasn’t going to sing in front a classroom so I cautiously signed my name for a monologue slot. When I went home I immediately got to work with research on what monologues are and where to find them. I landed on a movie clip of Tom Hank’s character Chuck Noland in the movie Cast Away. I was fascinated by him and his storytelling. He painted a picture. I felt the pain in his voice and hopelessness in his eyes when he talked about his failed suicide attempt on the deserted island he was stuck on. But he miraculously survived when a tide brought in a sail. “…and I know what I have to do now. I got to keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring.” When those words came out of his mouth in that movie and then mine when I shared that memory to the class, energy was moving. I was moved, my professor and my classmates were moved. I felt connection with everyone. At the end of class, my professor told me I need to switch my major and audition for the acting program. After almost a year of contemplation and exploration of the art, I did.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Ramon Luis Suzara. I am a Filipino-American artist born and raised in Southern California. I’m an actor based in Los Angeles. In my free time I love to explore other creative outlets such as photography. Throughout my life I always found ways to tap in to my imagination. I remember playing Barbie with my next door neighbors when I was small. I remember playing super heroes with my class mates in elementary school. I loved playing house. Like many of us, I just loved playing pretend and still do. That freedom and part of me sort of cowered as I headed into my teenage years. Growing up queer and in the closet had its part in that. It wasn’t until I encountered the world of acting and storytelling in college when I began to reignite that freedom and lightness I had as a kid. I studied theatre performance in college and got my B.F.A. with a concentration in acting. I graduated 2020 right in the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. I don’t have to go in to detail about that. The acting industry is a challenge to navigate and especially now. I am realizing more and more that I can create opportunities for myself and just continuing to create and nourish my art is what it’s about. I am in love with storytelling. I love how it generates empathy in one another and ultimately changes people’s lives. I could talk for days why this art form is special to me. It is life-giving, nourishing, and exciting. My acting mentor and artistic guidance from The Imagined Life Studio says it’s like a life hack. By putting on the shoes of these characters we learn so much about humanity. What is always reflected back in stories is our humanity and in doing so we have the opportunity to self-actualize.

I am in in the very early stages of producing this beautiful and moving play I’ve been working on in my acting class for a couple of years now. We are still waiting on a green light but I am super stoked to announce the project very soon.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Introspection. Gratitude. Empathy

I think the ability to introspect is something that I feel has strengthened the past few years. Maybe that comes with growing up but I think it’s really aided me in the artistic pathway I am paving for myself. As an artist, I constantly have to find ways In which I hold myself back. The more I learn more about myself, the more I can die out the tendencies and beliefs that aren’t supporting me in life and art.

My advice to the artists starting out or struggling to find their way in the midst of chaos is to just be kind to yourself. I’m realizing more and more that life doesn’t happen to us. It comes from us and it’s what we make out of it. We have the opportunity everyday to seize it. Everyone has their baggage, challenges, and obstacles. Take ownership of it and put it to use. It’s easier said than done and it takes time. Be kind and patient with yourself. I have to hear that myself daily.

I believe practicing gratitude in all areas of life can be challenging but it’s definitely necessary. Without it we’d just be stuck in our own shit and we’ll wonder why our lives aren’t better or a certain way. For me, it’s an opportunity every time something “bad” happens in my life. It’s like a bunch of different doors open in my mind. There are doors that I’ve walked through many times and have a familiarity with. There are doors that are locked up and chained shut. It’s easy to go where it’s comfortable and it takes courage and hard work to explore the unknown. The latter is where we find the opportunity to change and grow.

Empathy is definitely something everyone should be aware of and working on. Especially if you want to be an actor. I mean if you’re an actor but have zero empathy you’re probably a narcissist.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents were never judgmental nor discouraged my aspiration to be an actor. I felt they trusted me. They were both born in the Philippines. My father came to the United States and served the military. My mom was raised with a Catholic upbringing. So you can kind of see the conservative values and beliefs that were influencing me since I was born. Growing up queer I was always questioning the validity of my life and identity. However, I felt they never questioned the path I chose. I never felt they doubted my capabilities and dreams. I am truly grateful for that. My father instilled in me at a very young age to pursue something that brings me joy and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramonsuzara/

Image Credits

AKP Photography
Genevieve Kauper
Ji lee