Susan Greenfield, who is playing Dinah in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, brings a calm confidence, deep experience, and genuine warmth to the Cow Patti stage. When she thinks about summer, her mind immediately drifts overseas to Cinque Terre in Italy. Hiking along the coastline, soaking in the sea air, and enjoying incredible Italian food made it a standout memory, one that perfectly captures her love of travel, curiosity, and connection.
Growing up, Susan’s summers were filled with family time. Her family often spent a week camping or renting a cottage, building traditions that stuck with her. She also fondly remembers her “beer commercial” era of summer stock theatre jobs in the 1980s, where long days, shared meals, and creative energy defined the season. It was an early taste of the life she would continue to build in the arts.
Susan has been in the business for an impressive 43 years. During that time, she has worked across stage and screen, building a career rooted in collaboration and storytelling. One particularly memorable experience came while working on the film Beyond the Call. Susan served as a stand-in for Cissy Spacek, while David Strathairn stood in for himself. The result was four days sitting opposite one another in a jail cell, talking, laughing, and sharing stories. Years later, David recognized Susan on another film set and joined her for a peanut butter sandwich at lunch, a moment she still treasures.
When it comes to summer pleasures, Susan keeps things simple and joyful. Gelato is her favourite warm weather treat, and she proudly chooses a wiener roast over a clam bake. She swims regularly, still doing lengths at the YMCA almost every day, valuing endurance over speed. Music also plays a big role in her summers, with “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves always lifting her spirits.
Family remains at the heart of Susan’s life. If she could share a summer night by the ocean with anyone, it would be her brothers. Her favourite thing about Alberta is equally clear: her family. Whether on stage or off, relationships are what ground her.
Susan is currently reading James, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective, for her book club. If she could give her younger self one piece of wisdom, it would be this: trust your future self. The version of you that can handle tough moments will be there when you need them.
That wisdom, paired with decades of experience, makes Susan Greenfield a perfect fit for the role of Dinah and a joy to watch in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.