The Indio Performing Arts Center & Irwin Rubinsky presents
"My Name is Eartha But You Can Call Me Miss Kitty!"
Saturday, May 23rd 7pm
Tickets: $24 general / $19 Seniors
for reservations: 775-5200

www.indioperformingartscenter.org

Since playing the role of Patricia in a stage production of “Extremeties”, Suzanne Nichols has appeared in several plays throughout California, Seattle, and Thailand. Her most recent role to date was that of Lucretia, which one reviewer described as “riveting” in Michael Butler’s Production of “Pope Joan: The Musical. One of her most notable roles was as Eartha Kitt in the NAACP nominated “Her Name is Eartha, But You May Call Her Miss Kitty”. Suzanne’s performance as Eartha Kitt, which one reviewer described as “More Eartha than Eartha” and another reviewer described as “An uncanny portrayal of the legendary singer” is not to be missed. Suzanne Nichols also performed in Michael Butler’s production of “HAiR” for which she received an L.A. Weekly Award for Musical of the Year.

Suzanne Nichols is a member of Playhouse Theatre Players. While a member, she has had the opportunity to portray such historical icons as Dorothy Dandridge in the PTP production of “Dorothy and Otto: The Dorothy Dandridge Affair, Josephine Baker in PTP’s NAACP Award nominated “When Divas Were Divas: Their Lives, Their Way”. She has also written, directed, produced, and performed in “Miss One-A-Puff’s All-Star Revue”. On May 30th Ms. Nichols will portray Brenda a well-worn, disenchanted mother of two in PTP’s production of “Truck Stop”, directed by Sharon L. Graine. Of performing Suzanne says, “Acting, singing, performing, connecting, feeds my soul.” Every night is new. Every night offers an opportunity to connect with others on the most basic of levels, to feel as one. You can’t ask for more than that.

In addition to acting, Suzanne is an accomplished singer and songwriter. Suzanne performed at the Kit Kat Club in Thailand for six months. She is also a member of the band Boxhead. Boxhead has produced a cd, and is currently writing new material to be released in December, 2009. She has also written the song “All Been Done” with producer Michael Sherwood who has collaborated with Michael Jackson, YES, Toto, and Lisa Loeb. When not writing with Boxhead or Mr. Sherwood, Ms. Nichols collaborates with Neo Soul guitarist Sarah Baidie. One of their songs was featured in the play, “Miss One-A-Puff’s All-Star Revue.

Suzanne Nichols was born and raised in Oakland, California. Ms. Nichols did not grow up knowing that she wanted to act. She did, however, grow up with a love of singing and a strong desire to make people laugh. From the early age of 8, Suzanne Nichols would sit on her porch with her friends and pick out harmonies from favorite songs. However, It was not until her sophomore year in college that she realized that her unique talents (her ability to joke her way out of a punishment, her ability to make a bully laugh, her joy of harmonies and love of music) were perfectly suited to Theatre Arts (or as they call it in the ‘real world’ Liberal Arts). So, a theatre major she became, and she hasn’t looked back since then. After graduating from Southern University, Suzanne moved back home and enrolled in the summer congress of the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. There she attended seminars and workshops with such accomplished actors as James Earl Jones and Anna Deavere Smith. The experiences she had there were instrumental in cementing her commitment to being a stronger actor and understanding that along with the joys, there is also a responsibility to those that we entertain: A responsibility to make sure that each night, we leave some of ourselves out there with the audience just as they give some of themselves to us. It’s a beautiful dance of give and take that we create when we decide to participate in the spectacle of theatre: One that cannot be replicated, one that is to be enjoyed to the fullest by all. To do anything less than that, to give anything less is unacceptable.

Suzanne is currently writing a series which she hopes to see performed on television in the not so distant future. She says that what inspires her most are people who are willing to learn something new, no matter what the age. Specifically, her Aunt Juanita, who at 88 is completely computer savvy and is Suzanne’s go to technology person. Says Suzanne, “How can you not be inspired by someone who, at 88, can walk into an Apple Store and give the Customer Service Reps a run for their money?” Look for Suzanne at an Apple Store around you.

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