Birthday Mom of the Week - Susan Owen! From Broadway to Greenwich...

November 9, 2020 6:33 am Birthday Mom of the Week – Susan Owen! From Broadway to Greenwich…

Published on November 9, 2020 in Mom of the Week by PartywithMoms

What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?

I have one biological child and 2 ‘bonus’ children (aka: step-children, but I like to say ‘bonus’:) My son is 7, and my other two are 10 and 12. It’s a brood! Honestly, my favorite times with them are when we are just hanging out together–whether that means just watching a movie together on a rainy day, or sitting at the dinner table and telling our “cherry and pit” (best thing/worst thing) of the week. I feel like so much of parenthood can consist of rushing around, so these slower (I won’t say ‘quieter’) moments are my favorite.

My greatest wish for them is probably what most moms want for their kids–that they grow up to be happy and healthy and to love what they do, whatever that may be.

Who has had the biggest influence upon you?

I would have to say, my kids have had a huge influence on who I am today. Now, there is always someone who I think about before thinking about myself! And, they have taught me to live (or at least try to live) in the moment because, as a mom, pretty much nothing is going to go as planned so you may as well try to roll with it!

What quality do you most admire in a mother?

I would say, someone who is always open to listen without judgment and can keep her cool, even when things get crazy!

Besides motherhood, what other careers/opportunities have you enjoyed? And what are your strongest qualities?

Before I was a mom, and for the first few years of my son’s life, I was an actress in New York City. I performed on Broadway for many years in The Phantom of the Opera and toured the country with that show as Christine, and also played Belle in Beauty and the Beast. I feel so lucky/grateful that I was able to pursue my passion and have a career in the theatre. It was a very fun time in my life–especially being able to see so much of the country while doing what I loved. Since moving to Greenwich, I’ve started teaching Voice lessons to children (9 and up… and a few adults, too!). I also teach Drama at GCDS High School and I have to say, I really love it! I was definitely ready to move on from the 8-show a week schedule a few years after my son was born, and this feels like a really fulfilling “Chapter Two” for me.

Were you happiest in elementary, middle high school or college? Please explain why.

Eek! This is a tough one! In a way, this question made me happy because I realized that it was really hard to choose, so I guess I had a pretty good childhood:) Elementary School was great because it was just generally fun and taught me to love school (#nerdy), but I guess I’d go with college for a few reasons – I attended The University of Michigan and adored living in Ann Arbor; I majored in Musical Theatre, so I got to do what I loved every day; and I met amazing people who are still my friends to this day:)

What do you like to do for fun and what is your idea of a perfect day?

Right now, a perfect day for me would be taking a Yoga class, sitting down to read a book (I love reading and don’t do it enough anymore), meeting a friend (or a few friends) for coffee and then hanging out with the fam’. It sounds simple and possibly boring, when I write it down, but that would definitely make me happy.

What is one of your favorite books? Movies?

I have many favorite books, but if I had to pick one, I’d say Olive Kitteridge really moved me in an unexpected way. A movie I can watch over and over again is Broadcast News. The performances are all spot-on and there are lines I constantly quote in life!

What is your favorite type of food and what do you love to cook?

Does making coffee count as ‘cooking’? I also make great toast! I joke, buuuut not really:) Cooking is definitely not my strong suit, but luckily I am married to a man who is an amazing cook and also likes to do it! I lucked out there:) I do, however, enjoy eating many different types of food! But, when we order, my first choice is almost always Sushi.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

It’s such a long list, especially now that we haven’t been ABLE to travel in so long! I’ve heard incredible things about Hawaii and have always wanted to go there, so that’s definitely still at the top of the list. But, recent additions to the list include Portugal and Greece.

Where would you love to Party with Moms and what is your drink of choice?

I would say my go-to place, the one I always default to, is Harvest. I’m obsessed with their Brussel Sprout Salad! And, you can’t go wrong with a Margarita. But if we are just hanging out at home, my current go-to is Angry Orchard Cider Beer. I’ve never been a big beer-drinker (ie: I hate the taste of beer), but I’m very into the Cider Beers lately.

In this new experience of coronavirus, with quarantine and social distancing, has there been any positive development for your family?

That’s a good question. I do think it has enabled everyone to slow down a bit, and have that be ok. Everyone always says, ‘enjoy every moment because it goes so fast’, and I’m honestly trying to do that lately. I don’t always succeed (home school almost broke me!), but I’m working on it.