Meet Misha Suvorov

We were lucky to catch up with Misha Suvorov recently and have shared our conversation below.

Misha, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Well, many immigrants and people of accent, in my opinion, follow the same pattern in the begging of their americanization journey – ostracizing and opposing yourself to local community. That’s at least what I did in my head 11 years ago, when I just arrived. Boy, I was wrong!

America is really unique as an all inclusive society, created by immigrants for immigrants. Everyone is from somewhere here – it’s just a question in how many generations. It too me some time to understand it and let it really land in my heart and soul.

There’s also no other industry as acceptive and longing for your uniqueness as film, theatre and television. It literally craves for new looks, new sounding and new ideas. It’s what it thrives on.

So, once I figured that one out I was on my way to highlight what differs me form others, not hiding it.

I’m not sure that answers the question exactly, but I hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an actor and what I call an involuntary producer, since I have to produce some of my shows. I’m also political activist, freedom-fighter and peace maker. Growing up in the cultural capital of Russia I was drawn to drama theater eversincme I remember myself.

Eleven years ago I landed in LAX and became an integral part of dream factory ever since. I graduated from Sanford Meisner Center for Arts in 2016 and have been working in film and television until SAG-AFTRA strike forced me to reengage my love for theatre. I’ve been exploring LA theatrical stage for the past two years.

Geopolitical events brought to the place where I could not not use my artistic voice to express my political views and non profit art company DeepARTment was formed. Preceding that was production of The Border – an anti-war solo show that won an award during its premiere at Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2024.

Now, presented by city of West Hollywood, DeepARTment runs Art Against War Festival in Fiesta Hall of West Hollywood, where performing and visual artists from around the world can present their work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, as for any performer, technique is my everything. Sanford Meisner technique, taught to me by Ranjiv Perera, is my everything – it’s my go to when I get lost on my journey and need to reconnect to myself and touch the base with the core reasons of why I am doin it. it’s my safety place, my inner container of creativity, my sandbox playground.

I feel that ability to love life, people and rest of the nature is another crucial quality that really acts as shield and protection, as a radiating energy that lights up my way and warms me when it gets cold. I’m nothing without my absolute unconditional love that I feel toward the entire world and it goes well beyond my acting career.

Finally, my major degree in finance came in handy when I had to start producing and form a DeepARTment non-profit. Operating in capitalism, one have to know how to handle finances.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

We are helping underrepresented artists thrive in DeepARTment. We are also a non-discriminative collection of people.

Anyone who enjoys performing and visual arts is welcome. We are permanently open for artists residency, volunteering of any kind, and board of directors advisory. Not to mention sponsors and grantors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.art-dep.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artagainstwar_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtAgainstWars

Image Credits

Photo credits: Alec Wolvec