Susan (they/them) is a Queer, multiply-Disabled, actor and theatre-maker ,with more than 2-decades of experience. They started as a child in community theatre, now in their mid-thirties they do a mixture of paid and community projects. Susan has a certificate (UCOL), and diploma (Whitireia), in stage and screen acting, and has performed in more than 30 shows.

Susan is proudly multiply-Disabled, they are:
(Functionally) Blind
Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD)
Chronically Ill & a spoonie
Physically disabled (part time wheelchair user)
Mentally ill (depression, anxiety, OCD)

Susan’s arts practice is radically accessible, for example their solo show, “Illegally Blind” was designed to consider Blind audiences first, and sighted audiences second. Susan is a vocal advocate of audio description, and works towards ensuring their are options for low, and no, budget shows to be empowered to create their own access. This is partly because they love doing it, partly in self defence so they can watch more shows, and mostly so they can drag their blind friends along to everything they are in! (That bit is humorous, they are also a comedian!)

Watch a documentary about Susan and their arts practice

Notable projects

Susan was co-creator and co-director of DAT Fest (Disabled Artists Theatre Festival), formerly D.A.F.T. A two-week celebration and showcase of d/Deaf and Disabled performing arts in Pōneke. Read more about DAT Fest

Winner “theatre for social change” award, Wellington theatre awards

Illegally Blind, Susan’s solo-ish show was performed in Wellington (BATS co Pro) and Auckland (supported by Touch Compass). It was nominated for 4 Wellington theatre awards.

Susan has taught Improv at festivals in Aotearoa and Australia. Their improv format “Galactapedia” is an improvised radio play for Blind and sighted audiences.

In short Susan is an unstoppable theatre and performing arts nerd, and proud of it!

Working with Susan

Susan received a Creative Fellowship Fund grant from CNZ in 2025 to visit and connect with Blind actors, and multiply-disabled theatre companies, overseas. They will be travelling to Canada, the UK, and Europe in early 2027. They are only accepting small projects and one off events until that project is completed. If you are, or know, overseas artists who might want to be part of their project please get in touch.

Please ensure all information and documents is in a screen reader accessible format, and all images and videos are described (either in audio, or descriptive transcript)

Reviews of Susan's work

Illegally Blind

Galactapedia