Remembering Rod Suiter: An Eternal Light Onstage

By Terrance Afer-Anderson
Special to the New Journal and Guide

Legendary actor-director Michael Chekhov once opined, “An actor has to burn inside with an outer ease.” To the astute observer, late local actor-director Rodney Suiter was blessed with an abundance of such exquisite, creative, St. Elmo’s Fire; touching fellow thespians and audiences alike with a blazing creative spirit that engulfed but yet burned.

Rod left us on July 27, 2024, leaving an immediately discernible gap in the local theatre community. His departure left a host of actors, directors, producers, and playwrights stunned and grieving. He was truly a giant on area stages.

I wanted to share how his brilliant career left so many illuminated, having borne witness to an unforgettable talent.

His uncle, former Norfolk City Councilman Paul Riddick, recalls a very special moment in his nephew’s professional career.

“Rodney was a big fan of August Wilson,” he said, “and he got a role in Fences at the Wells Theater.” He added, “It was one of the most exciting roles in his life.”

Rod had portrayed “Bono” in Fences and appeared in several other productions at the Virginia Stage Company’s Wells Theater. VSC Producing Artistic Director Tom Quaintance notes, “I was deeply saddened to learn of Rodney Suiter’s passing. His last performance on the Wells Theatre stage was “Constable Warren” in Our Town. Playing the part of a man whose life is dedicated to serving his community, who knows everyone and is a vital part of the fabric that knits the community together, came easy to Rodney. He will be dearly missed.”

Debra Burrell, Arts Manager, Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, adds, “He was so knowledgeable and caring. He ended up serving on the arts and humanities commission for two extra years past his term, and never wavered in the work, even through being a caregiver to his partner, and then his mother. It was an honor and pleasure to work with him.”

Those who shared the stage with Rod Suiter offer particularly moving recollections. Many performed with “On Cue” Productions, a dynamic non-profit, 501(c)(3) theatre company a small group of us created.

Gifted actress Chantee Joy, now of Chicago but once an “On Cue” staple, recalls, “Rodney always made me laugh. Whenever we played husband and wife in a show, he’d notice that I was nervous at times. And he would say something crazy that had nothing to do with the part or the show. I’d turn to him as to say, ‘What are you talking about?’ And his expression would make me laugh so hard.  The funny thing about it is that he’d do that right before the curtain went up and I’d have to try extra hard to stay serious. He was such a natural talent.  Unmatched. I hate that we lost such a wonderful person in film and on stage.”

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Actor Rodney Williams shares a momentous reflection. “I remember when Rodney directed me in Seven Guitars,” he said, “how understanding and gracious he was. Before I accepted the part in the play, I had informed him that I was up to shoot a pilot for TV but I did not know when it would be. He said that was OK and we would deal with that when and if the time came. Well, it did and I had to go to Richmond to shoot this one scene, which I thought and hoped it would not take long because it was a short scene and I could make it back before curtain. I informed Rodney and he told me to go. Well, the short scene turned into a longer scene and I did not make it back until the last part of the first act and Rodney was on stage, book in hand, doing my part. I felt awful that I had let him down. I did the second act and went to apologize to him and the cast, but Rodney stopped me and let me know in the kindest, sincerest way that it was OK. He never mentioned it again.  Grace and understanding. God bless you, Rodney.”

John Sullivan, another “On Cue” staple, recalls, “I knew Rodney for more than 35 years and acted with him on a number of occasions. He was always the consummate professional. I fondly recall an instance in the early 90s, when, during a stage play, and only our characters were interacting on stage, I realized I had forgotten my lines. I gave him the ‘I forgot my lines’ look. He paused for a few seconds, then improvised a few lines and deftly led us back to our scripted dialogue, without missing a beat. No one was the wiser! Aside from his immense talent as an actor, I will always remember him as a well-liked, kind, and thoughtful person.”

Actress Pinkie Spencer Chappell also shared a special memory. “’Rod Rod,” as I affectionately called him, was one of the best directors I ever had the opportunity to work with. When we performed Seven Guitars by August Wilson, he patiently and professionally guided me into the role of “Vera.” He was a consummate friend and talented actor. My skills were perfectly honed as a result of his tutelage. I’m missing you alongside Pedro Abad.”

In addition to the late Pedro, Rod has now joined several other “On Cue” stalwarts who have passed on, Donald Brown, Ph.D., Phil Lucas, Ph.D., and Toni McCoy. Rod appeared in “On Cue” productions of The Elephant Man, Victory Manor, Escape, For the Love of Jazz, The Island, and Sizwe Banis Is Dead.

Rod’s film and television credits include Psycho Kickboxer, Traxx, Heartless, Red Band, Mother’s Day, Blind Vision, America’s Most Wanted, The New Detectives, Ghost Stories, Clubhouse Kids, and The Lighthouse.

Personally, I last shared the stage with Rod Suiter in my own work The Tribesman. He portrayed my analyst. As a dear friend and brother, we often reciprocated playing such roles for one another in real life. His office in that capacity is empty now and I am the worst for having lost such treasured counsel.

Theatre luminary Konstantin Stanislavski advised the actor to “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.” A common bond that Rod and I shared was the blessing to recognize that God Almighty had created an artist in each of us, instilling a precious creative light. Though his office might now be empty, Rod’s divine light, his spiritual St. Elmo’s Fire, now burns at full incandescence and all I need do is reflect on such sweet luminescence to enjoy creative counsel beyond compare.

Terrance Afer-Anderson is a writer, actor, director and producer. He is also President/CEO, TerraVizion Entertainment Network.