MaryLynn Suchan JMS‘10, first realized she wanted to be in the spotlight when she was a little girl taking ballet. Years later as a Rutgers student double majoring in Journalism and Media Studies and Theatre, Suchan earned a variety of impressive roles, jump-starting her career as an actress.
Following graduation, Suchan created her own content in New York City, which led her to attend festivals with a 10-episode comedic web series called “Tri-State,” including ITVFest, where she met the director of the festival, who offered her a producer position on his team. Suchan then had a freelance position with Cosmo Street and worked on various sets in the commercial, web series, and feature film space, working her way up the production ladder, before becoming a Showrunners’ Assistant at Netflix. Suchan has also guest-starred on “Grey’s Anatomy,” which is an astounding and exciting accomplishment.
Suchan discusses how she earned these roles, her time with SC&I, her favorite parts about her career, and more.
SC&I: Introduce yourself! Do you have any particular passions, interests, or hobbies?
MS: Hi there! I'm MaryLynn Suchan, class of 2010. After graduation, I moved to NYC where I lived in Astoria, Queens until 2018. Then, I made my way to Los Angeles, CA! Besides my clear love of entertainment and performing, I love horseback riding, anything in or on the water (swimming, paddleboarding, boating, kayaking), and working with the children's ministry at my church.
People don't remember everything you say, but they remember how you made them feel, and if they feel good around you, then they'll want to spend 12+ hours working with you.
SC&I: What did you study at SC&I? Did you take any classes that were particularly impactful, or had professors that especially helped you? What kind of skills did you learn from your time at SC&I?
MS: I studied Journalism & Media Studies at SC&I while double majoring in Theatre. There were a few classes that were impactful for me during my time at Rutgers. Professor Miller's classes have a special place in my heart because he is truly a professor who gives his whole heart to his students and stands by their side far beyond the cap & gown. I enjoyed making my news station commercial with fellow classmates and learning how to interview people around campus while building out a news story. He made education fun and interactive, and that's the best way for me to learn and take in information.
I took a class on managing a newsroom, and that truly was the most practical of any courses I took during my entire four years at Rutgers. I distinctly remember the professor saying that students only remember a certain percentage of what they learned after exams are finished, and he wanted to make sure we held onto much more than that. It was important to him. Though I don't work in the news, and I don't manage an entire team, many of the skills he taught us have been applied to my work protocols and how I interact with colleagues.
I took a class on managing a newsroom, and that truly was the most practical of any courses I took during my entire four years at Rutgers.
SC&I: How did you become interested in acting? What was it like to be featured on "Grey’s Anatomy"?
MS: My mom put me into ballet when I was 4 years old with a neighborhood friend. From that point, I always loved being in the spotlight and entertaining. It wasn't until I was on stage, in the ensemble of Footloose at Monroe Twp. High School, that I thought to myself, "I want to do this for the rest of my life."
Moving from NYC to LA was a gigantic transition in many ways. Not only was I leaving behind my family and closest friends, but I told myself I would never serve tables again. My goal, that I shamelessly told everyone, was to work full-time in television. I worked on films, commercials, and web series from the moment I landed in LA, but it took 14 months to get on a TV show at Netflix full-time for 8 months, which at that point, was the longest contract of employment since I landed.
Earning the position as Krista Vernoff's assistant in 2020, I did not anticipate the return of my acting career to happen for several more years. I am a woman of plans, protocols, and a billion spreadsheets. I already had my 5-year plan set and ready and accepted that I may not act again professionally for several more years, if at all.
But then a part came up that I knew I was right for, and I felt I proved myself as a loyal, hard-working assistant to make this ambitious task. I had to audition, get approved by all of the producers and then the network, and 48-hours after my birthday, I received the best gift: a guest-star spot on "Grey's Anatomy"!
Being on set, I stayed focused on being present and absorbing all of the special moments that I'll cherish for always. I saw years of no's and disappointment, angry guests yelling at me for more ketchup, kind guests telling me I'm so much more than a Times Square restaurant, and the struggles of paying my bills melt away. It may sound too spiritual for some, but I'm a woman of faith, and I finally felt in line with my purpose and all I've wanted. Many producers and crew members came to watch me in video village, and I felt so supported by so many people. I've never been happier while also being worried it'll end, and I'll never obtain that moment again.
If you want to work in television, it's important to prepare yourself for a lot of no’s. You want to get to a point where a no is simply a yes to a different direction, and it will all make sense one day.
SC&I: Were there any specific difficulties or setbacks you experienced when getting to where you are today? If so, how did you overcome them?
MS: Working in NYC, I was going to open calls every day, and at times, I felt like I was on a hamster wheel. Moving to LA, I didn't have the stability of a restaurant job so there were months when I would think, "How am I going to pay rent?" One moment that sticks out was when I was on a music video set, thinking about my bills and knowing I wouldn't receive my paycheck in time for rent, when a former boss asked how much my rent was. I told him, and moments later, he sent me a bonus for the work I previously did for him.
Even though some say to do it all and master different parts of production, when it comes to getting a job, they just want to know that you want one, particular thing. I was getting turned down from jobs left and right, and the peak of it all was a higher-up at Sony Crackle who said to me, "But what do you want? This is not a town of practicality. You act, you write, you produce, but what do you want at the end of the day?" And I said, "Right now, I just want a job, and whatever job you give me, I'll work hard at." I cried to my best friend on the way home, and she graciously offered, "Well, now we learned something. You have to go into each room wanting exactly what that person has to offer. If they are looking for a producer, you love producing. If they want a writer, all you've ever wanted is to write. If the creatives cannot be creative in understanding you, then spoon feed it to them." From there, I made that adjustment. So when my time to audition for Grey's Anatomy came around, many people didn't even know I have an extensive acting background and training. It's what I had to do to get where I am, but it was a difficult pill to swallow.
SC&I: What advice would you give current JMS students who want to pursue a similar career? Is there anything you now know, that you wish you had known in college?
MS: If you want to work in television, it's important to prepare yourself for a lot of no’s. You want to get to a point where a no is simply a yes to a different direction, and it will all make sense one day. I am actually struggling with trusting how it will all come together in the future as I write this, worrying that I had my moment, and I'm done, so it doesn't get easier as you level up in your career, but it gets more important so you stay grounded.
Our world is getting more expensive and difficult to live in each day so plan your work and work your plan. Have a flexible side job as you go for what you really want. I also wish that this was taught more in college because you don't typically start out making great money, but you need those first few jobs to build a resume and prove yourself, and to focus on that, you need not to have a financial strain looming over. You want to feel secure enough to give everything else to your passion.
Also, be kind to everyone on your journey because we all deserve genuine kindness, and we are all working hard to get where we want to be. People don't remember everything you say, but they remember how you made them feel, and if they feel good around you, then they'll want to spend 12+ hours working with you.
You are learning at a wonderful institution with incredible professors. Take in their advice and suggestions while trusting that inner compass of yours.
SC&I: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the SC&I community? This can be about anything!
MS: You are learning at a wonderful institution with incredible professors. Take in their advice and suggestions while trusting that inner compass of yours. Don't be afraid to "yes" everything in the beginning so you can narrow your path down later. If I didn't say yes to running a television festival in Vermont (formerly called ITVFest), I wouldn't have met LA execs telling me to make the move. I don't want to run a festival anymore, but my three years doing so served a great purpose. Allow your path to weave in and out because you never know what gems you'll find, or how it'll land you exactly where you always wanted to be later on.
Discover more about the Journalism and Media Studies major on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.
Photo: Courtesy of MaryLynn Suchan JMS’10
