Meet Anisha Adusumilli (Suraiya)
Tell us about your invisible friend, or your “friend’s” invisible friend.
I honestly have never had one or known anyone that has had one. But I sometimes wonder (especially when I talk to myself) if I’m constantly being recorded like on the Truman Show. An invisible audience. People would think I am the biggest oddball ever. Seriously.
Have you traveled overseas? Any interesting stories or experiences?
Yes I’ve traveled to India multiple times with family, throughout Europe, and Australia/New Zealand…But one of my most memorable trips was when I visited a close college friend in Japan. I experienced culture shock for the first time in my life! We went on a guided bus tour through the countryside for a few days and most of the other passengers were retirees. When we went to the hotel, there were no showers in our individual rooms so I went downstairs to the women’s shower room and figured there would be individual stalls like a locker room. Nope! I walk into a giant steam/shower room of naked older ladies. I was caught completely off guard, freaked out and went back to my room and gave myself a towel bath at the sink in my hotel room haha!
If you could speak to your unborn child, what piece of advice would you give?
Practice kindness always. Be kind to yourself, to others, and to the environment. And know that you deserve kindness back.
What’s your favorite baby picture? Can you share it with us?
This is one of my fave baby photos (left) when I was playing in the grass at my aunt’s graduation.
If you met any of the characters on the street, who would you share a pint with and who would make you turn and walk away? And why?
I’m not a big drinker, but I’d get a kick out of having tea with the Frenchman and would ask him to share some of the best stories of women’s fantasies that he has had the pleasure to fulfill!
Do you have a favorite moment in the play?
Falling in love with Amit.
How do you prepare to work on a project like this?
I create a large chunk of time when I can be alone and take the story in. I let my imagination go and read it with my heart. After that first read I start finding details within the story that show me how my character sees the world and what events, things, and people in my life drive me to behave the way I do.
What was your first job in theater?
I think I played Urleen (one of the best friends) in my High School’s production of Footloose!
What excites you about this story and why should people come see it?
It’s funny, quirky, honest, sad, disappointing, and hopeful all at the same time. I love how whimsical and imaginative this story is while still being relatable. And I love the magnification of Indian Surrogacy – it’s a topic and business that many people have no knowledge of.
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