Fresh Air Episode Summary: Sarah Snook Almost Didn't Audition For 'Succession'

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fresh Air
• Host/Author: NPR
• Episode: Sarah Snook Almost Didn't Audition For 'Succession'
• Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of NPR’s award-winning program Fresh Air, hosts Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley delve into an intimate conversation with acclaimed Australian actress Sarah Snook. Best known for her portrayal of Shiv Roy on the hit television series Succession, Snook also captivates Broadway audiences with her one-woman show, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Recently nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play, Snook shares insights into her multifaceted career, the challenges of her latest theatrical endeavor, and her nuanced role in Succession.

Sarah Snook’s Broadway Triumph: "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Sarah Snook’s Broadway performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray is nothing short of extraordinary. In this one-person adaptation of Wilde’s 1890 novel, Snook embodies all 26 characters, delivering a non-stop monologue that has been described as a "crazy athletic solo performance" (00:47). The play employs pre-recorded snippets of Snook as different characters, projected on large video screens, alongside rapid costume and set changes to tell the classic gothic horror story of vanity and moral decay.

Challenges of a One-Person Show

Snook discusses the immense challenge of differentiating between multiple characters in a single performance. With only two weeks of rehearsals before incorporating pre-recorded segments, she had to make "sharp and considered decisions" early on (03:06). Working extensively with her voice coach, Geraldine Cook, Snook developed distinct voices and physicalities for each character, relying heavily on voice modulation—varying timbre, pitch, and pace—and bodily movements to signify different personas.

“It’s very much a physical sensation of each character sits somewhere differently in my body.”
— Sarah Snook (04:40)

Maintaining Character Integrity

Snook candidly admits the difficulty in keeping track of the myriad characters, sharing that she has occasionally mixed up voices during performances. However, her deep immersion in each role—focusing on the voice and physicality—helps her maintain distinction between characters.

“I think lots of different things. In some ways, blessing and a curse.”
— Sarah Snook (03:38)

Incorporating Childhood Influences

Reflecting on her childhood, Snook reveals that memorizing Roald Dahl’s poems, read by British actors, significantly influenced her ability to perform such diverse characters on stage. This early exposure to varied British voices provided a foundational skill set for her role in Dorian Gray.

“It absolutely was...real body reference really, from, from my childhood...”
— Sarah Snook (07:25)

Acting Opposite Oneself: A Unique Experience

Snook describes the surreal experience of acting opposite pre-recorded versions of herself. Without the ability to visually interact, she relies on audio cues and her imagination to engage with her "scene partner."

“It really forces you to listen to what the person is saying to what I’m saying...”
— Sarah Snook (08:03)

Precision and Choreography in Performance

The highly choreographed nature of the play demands precise timing from Snook. She highlights the difficulty of maintaining synchronization with pre-recorded cues, especially during intense sequences involving multiple characters.

“The scenes really had a lot of energy between the characters...”
— Sarah Snook (09:23)

Succession: Almost Not Auditioning

Transitioning to her role in Succession, Snook shares that she initially hesitated to audition for Shiv Roy, feeling disconnected from the world of immense wealth depicted in the show. Her lack of personal experience with such affluence led her to believe she wouldn't contribute meaningfully to the male-dominated narrative.

“I didn’t want to audition...my friend did just read the lines...I am forever grateful for her.”
— Sarah Snook (12:57)

Securing the Role Through Attitude and Effort

Her decision to audition, albeit reluctantly, was marked by an attitude of determination and a desire to prove herself, which resonated with the casting directors and secured her the role of Shiv.

“Wanting to win the test. There you go. Yeah.”
— Sarah Snook (14:16)

Influence of Succession on Her Broadway Role

Snook draws parallels between her experiences on Succession and her Broadway performance. The proximity of cameras in Succession mirrors the live audience interaction in theater, fostering a heightened sense of presence and immediacy in both roles.

“The presence of cameras and the...awareness of them as a character...was really useful.”
— Sarah Snook (15:05)

Shiv Roy: The Observant Strategist

In discussing Shiv Roy, Snook explains how her character's tendency to observe and process events rather than actively engage stems from her personal approach to acting within the show. This introspective nature is essential to Shiv’s cunning and strategic maneuvering within the Roy family dynamics.

“There’s a cunningness and like a cunning quality to Shiv.”
— Sarah Snook (18:17)

Emotional Depth and Improvisation in Succession

Addressing the emotional intensity of Succession, Snook talks about the show's blend of scripted and improvised moments, particularly praising her co-star Kieran Culkin for his improvisational skills, which add authenticity and spontaneity to their interactions.

“Most of the...oofs and the nos...felt that those were improvised.”
— Sarah Snook (24:50)

Personal Background and Early Influences

Snook shares her Australian upbringing near a picturesque national park, which fostered a deep appreciation for nature and storytelling. Growing up as the youngest of three sisters and experiencing her parents' divorce, Snook found solace and inspiration in Disney films, particularly drawn to character actors and villains who embodied strength and complexity.

“I wanted to be Jafar. I want to be Iago... Scar. I want to be all the like the characters who go and do stuff...”
— Sarah Snook (36:50)

Balancing Personal Life and Professional Demands

Throughout the interview, Snook touches upon balancing her burgeoning career with personal life, including her pregnancy during the preparation for Dorian Gray. She emphasizes the crucial support from her family and team in managing the demanding nature of her roles.

“Not just playing one character...it takes a lot of concentration and support...”
— Sarah Snook (03:08)

Conclusion

Sarah Snook’s dynamic performances both on Broadway and television exemplify her versatility and dedication as an actress. Her ability to inhabit multiple characters simultaneously in The Picture of Dorian Gray showcases her extraordinary talent, while her nuanced portrayal of Shiv Roy in Succession highlights her skill in bringing complex, layered characters to life. This episode of Fresh Air offers a deep dive into Snook’s artistic journey, revealing the meticulous craftsmanship and personal resilience that underpin her acclaimed work.

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps

1. Sarah Snook on Differentiating Characters:

   “It’s very much a physical sensation of each character sits somewhere differently in my body.”
   — Sarah Snook (04:40)

2. Sarah Snook on Auditioning for Shiv Roy:

   “I didn’t want to audition...my friend did just read the lines...I am forever grateful for her.”
   — Sarah Snook (12:57)

3. Sarah Snook on Shiv’s Character:

   “There’s a cunningness and like a cunning quality to Shiv.”
   — Sarah Snook (18:17)

4. Sarah Snook on Improvisation in Succession:

   “Most of the...oofs and the nos...felt that those were improvised.”
   — Sarah Snook (24:50)

5. Sarah Snook on Early Influences:

   “I wanted to be Jafar. I want to be Iago... Scar. I want to be all the like the characters who go and do stuff...”
   — Sarah Snook (36:50)

Timestamps Reference:

• All timestamps are denoted in MM:SS format, corresponding to the positions in the provided transcript.