HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - DENYCE SU'A

DENYCE SU'A

ACTOR, WRITER & STORYTYELLER

What is your Pacific Heritage and what are your villages?

I’m a very proud Samoan from the villages of Vaivase-Tai, Salelologa and Solosolo.

What was your journey into the arts like?

My dad was a minister and he was always keen on making his sermons and services super engaging. He would write role-plays and get me and my brothers to act them out in church. That planted a seed that grew into all areas of my life. In school, I actually liked doing speeches and found a safe space in the drama class. Like many creatives, it was my high school drama teacher who encouraged me to pursue it after high school. I studied Drama at uni whilst also getting involved in as much theatre as I could outside my studies. It’s that thing of loving something so much you just wanna surround yourself with it, and that’s what I did. And in a way, I’m still trying to do that now. I look for every opportunity to create and be creative. Sometimes it’s small, and sometimes, like with our upcoming show, it’s a little bigger. 

Have you always wanted to become a writer/performer?

Always. I love a good story, whether told through film, on stage or in books. And that love of hearing stories, I think, was always going to manifest itself into a passion for being the storyteller.  

What inspires you in your creative work?

Literally anything and everything. It’s one of my favourite things about being a creative. I feel like everything is fair game in terms of what you can draw inspiration from: music, nature, people, books, interactions, places or smells. I dreamt up a whole concept for a show from one night of doing my laundry at the laundromat and watching the different ways people would sort through their clothes. 

Your show Talosaga, tell us about it? How did the show come about?

I originally wrote the show in 2015 as a part of my studies at uni. I wrote it in memory of my dad, Talosaga, who we lost in 2012. In the months after he passed, I remember losing sleep because there was so much of him I was scared of forgetting; the sound of his voice, his smell, his jokes and his laugh. And as much as my family and I keep those memories alive through our stories, I think there’s something special about the power of theatre to do that too. So when I first wrote it, that was my reason. I wanted to share him and some of his story with other people. 

Originally written 10 years ago, is there a significance to staging the show now?

It’s been really lovely to revisit the script and show and reflect on how much I’ve grown as both a person and performer. Personally, I feel more grounded in the work now that I'm a partner and mum. The character I get to play has taken on a whole new meaning. We have a son now. He's named Talosaga after my dad, so there’s something really special about being able to stage it and have him be part of this process and ‘meet’ his papa in this way. 

How does being a mother inspire or affect the way you create?

Everything I do in some way is in pursuit of being a good mum for my son. He inspires me to be brave in the work, own what I do and pursue things wholeheartedly. He reminds me that we were all once at an age where shame and fear didn’t hold us back from trying stuff out. He encourages the weird and wonderful in my life and is unashamedly nosy about the world and how it works. Those are all qualities that impact the work I make and the way I make it. 

Your partner Lauie is acting alongside you in this show, how special is it to stage such a personal show alongside your partner?

It’s one of the biggest blessings of my life to have found someone who not only encourages the performer in me but jumps on stage and wants to do it alongside me. He was in the original show 11 years ago, so now we have a whole history and relationship to lean into as we explore the connection between our characters. We have a lot of fun together and it’s been nice to collaborate with him creatively in this way. 

How long has it been since you've acted? I see so many people are excited for your return! Any nerves?

Lots! But they’re good, hearty nerves. Hopefully, they’ll spark a good, hearty performance because it has been a little while. Maybe a year since being on stage? Which actually doesn’t sound that long, but getting back into rehearsals is waking up all those muscles. 

What is something you want the audience to take from this show?

Sounds super simple, but I hope they respond in some way. I hope they watch it, and that there’s a moment within the piece that makes them smile or laugh. I hope there are moments that pique their curiosity or satisfy something in them. I think having a response to something is a good way to acknowledge that it's had an impact on you, big or small. And I think any impact we can make would be pretty special. 

Lastly, what advice would you give to other mamas who want to continue to create while juggling home life?

The advice I give myself constantly is that creativity doesn’t need an audience. It doesn’t need a stage or a performance season. It just needs some time and attention. In its first stages, I think that’s all that matters; that we give ourselves the space and opportunity to dream and think about things that excite us and make us curious. That doesn’t always have to look like booking a space, coming up with a concept and rehearsing a show. Sometimes, feeding that creativity in you looks like singing your favourite song out loud when driving or having a breakdance battle with your six-year-old. It all matters, it all counts. 

WATCH TALOSAGA: SHOWING 17 MARCH - 21 MARCH @ Basement Theatre

Get your tickets here