June 2004

Alex Suha • A Humbling Experience

There’s more to acting than talent. I never wanted to believe that, but it’s become my most important lesson this semester.

Alex bends over backwards to put on a good show at the University Theaters.

University Theatres is doing a world premiere of The Seven, a hip-hop adaptation of Aeschlyus’s Seven Against Thebes. The three artists-in-residence—writer Will Power, director Steve Sapp, and choreographer Benji Reid—are taking the play off-Broadway this summer.

One day in rehearsal, Steve helps me 100 percent with his insights into my character, Tydeus, a funny poet who hides his sensitivity behind a huge smile and exaggerated poses. Steve shows me how Tydeus uses painful humor to break bad news. This is probably the biggest breakthrough I have ever had with the help of a director.

Benji analyzes our dance efforts with wide eyes and pursed lips. His method of getting attention is “Sorry…sorry…sorrysorry? Guys?” “Sorry” is his way of saying, “Shut up and focus please, NOW.”

One night, Benji hits a tangent that I didn’t expect: “I want to take you to New York.”

Until then, I never thought it would be possible for me to get a job as a professional actor. Ever since, I’ve been thinking of acting as a real opportunity, a real skill. For two or three weeks, summer in New York is all I think about. I’ve only been in the theatre department a year and already I might be leaving to go pro!

A couple days before opening night, Benji pulls me aside. “You can really make it, but if you want a career, trust me,” he says. “You cannot do it without humility. Right now, you’re probably not ready, too young.”

For about three minutes I feel like I blew it. But I’ve since realized that I’m learning what I need to learn. And I’m not going too far too soon, which has been a tendency of mine. The day before The Seven opens, Benji leaves and he gives everyone a goodbye letter. My pocket burns until I read my message. In it, I find the same two words that Will Power stressed to me weeks before.

"… Now is the time to work on all-round technique and balance. And my dear brother, please stay humble. And the world will love you.”

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