Susan Dolan Stevens was born in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and spent her formative years on a dairy farm, where she developed a strong work ethic and a deep connection with the natural world. She attended Stevenson High School, where she was an exemplary student and an active participant in the school's drama, debate, and oral interpretation-forensics competition programs. As a member of the Varsity Sports team, she honed her athletic skills and developed a sense of camaraderie with her teammates. Moreover, she served as a Student Council Officer, demonstrating her leadership abilities and commitment to her peers.
Upon graduating from Stevenson High School, Susan was inducted into the National Honor Society, a testament to her academic excellence. She then attended Eastern Michigan University on a scholarship, where she pursued her passion for the performing arts. Her most memorable experience at EMU was performing in a production of Richard III, which allowed her to tap into her creative potential and showcase her talents.
Susan's thirst for knowledge and experience led her to transfer to Albion College, where she participated in the Great Lakes College Association program in New York. This opportunity allowed her to study with renowned instructors and gain valuable insights into the world of theater. She was particularly fortunate to have had the chance to study with Lee Strasberg, Elaine Aiken, and Geoffrey Horne at the Lee Strasberg Institute, where she refined her craft and developed her artistic vision.
Susan's experience at the Actors Studio, where she stage managed the playwrights lab under the guidance of Harold Clurman, further solidified her understanding of the theatrical process. She then headed west to pursue her Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from the University of Utah, where she had the privilege of studying Shakespeare under the tutelage of Dave E. Jones and voice with Charlene Bletson.
During her final year of graduate school, Susan signed with Burton & Perkins agency, marking the beginning of her professional career in the entertainment industry. Her first commercial was for McDonald's, a notable accomplishment despite her personal commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle. She went on to feature in Ford and Toyota commercials, and has since become a proud owner of several Ford vehicles, while also driving a Prius.
As a testament to her dedication to her craft, Susan regularly commuted to Los Angeles for work, before eventually settling in the beautiful mountains of Utah, where she now resides.
