Susan Campanaro is an accomplished actor, entertainer, director, and teacher with over 30 years of experience in NYC. Her improvisation and cabaret talents led to the creation of her alter ego, Lavinia Draper, who has headlined at venues like The Stonewall Inn, Fire Island’s Cherry Grove, and across the UK, including a 2023 tour in London and Brighton. Her acclaimed one-person musical, Doing Time with Lavinia (music & lyrics by Lynn Portas), won Best Musical at the 2022 United Solo Festival and is set to be featured at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Susan’s Off-Broadway credits include Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Wild Mushrooms, and Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical. On film, she has appeared in Summer of Sam, Chinese Coffee, Miami or Bust: A Hoboken Bet, and Barrio Boy, with TV credits on The Sopranos and Autopsy on HBO. Her work also extends to directing monthly shows at The Stonewall Inn, including Muse Monday and Melodies and Memoirs.

Susan is also dedicated to mentoring young artists. She serves on the creative staff at Road Recovery, a nonprofit that supports at-risk youth through music and the arts. She has taught improv at the Susan Batson Studio for over six years and has been a longtime collaborator with Mary Setrakian, assisting in her singing workshops for nearly 20 years. Susan is a passionate teacher of improvisation, with a deep commitment to helping artists develop their creativity and confidence both on stage and in life.