Susan Ericksen

Susan Ericksen
Susan Ericksen
Birth Name	Susan Ericksen
Birth Date	July 26 1960
Birth Place	Illinois, USA
Education	Masters in Fine Arts from Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA
Occupation	Actress
Years Active	1984 to Present
Spouse	David Colacci

Susan Ericksen is an American actress best known as a prolific narrator of audiobooks.

Early life

Susan Ericksen spent the early part of her life in Illinois, where her father, Don Ericksen, was a Victorian literature professor at Illinois State University. "My father is a Dickens scholar, so stories and characters are what we grew up with. People have always read aloud in our family."

Ericksen moved to Minnesota to attend Macalester College. She began her theatrical career there, acting at the Children’s Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and on other local stages. She also attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas for her masters of fine arts in acting. That’s where she met fellow student David Colacci, an Augsburg University graduate from Minneapolis.

She later joined David in western Michigan, where he was artistic director for the Hope Summer Repertory Theater. It is here where both David and Susan caught the attention of a fledgling audiobook publisher called Brilliance Audio.

Career

Audiobook Narration

Both Ericksen and her husband David Colacci began their audiobook narration careers over 20 years ago, during the early days of the audiobook industry. Since then, Ericksen has narrated over 500 titles, gaining praise for her adeptness at transitioning between different fictional scenarios and her capability to represent an array of characters with diverse accents and backgrounds. She likens her approach to audiobook narration to her theatrical roots, studying characters thoroughly and finding physical characterizations to inform her narrations.

Ericksen also shared insights about sustaining characters across book series. Having occasionally chosen challenging character voices that became taxing to maintain throughout a series, she now evaluates the potential long-term role of characters when determining their vocal representation.

Ericksen's work spans multiple genres including mystery, suspense, romance, history, essays, biographies, classics, and fantasy. She has frequently collaborated with renowned audiobook producers such as Brilliance Audio, Tantor Media, and BBC Audio.

Notably, Ericksen was chosen to narrate the ''In Death'' series by J.D. Robb, a pseudonym for author Nora Roberts, illustrating her capability to consistently voice characters across a long-running series. Upon her portrayal of V.I. Warshawski for Sara Paretsky's series, the author remarked, "She's so got the V.I. voice and it was quite reassuring to me. I thought: 'She gets it.'"

Ericksen is also a member of SAG/AFTRA, and is currently a member of the SAG/AFTRA Audio Book Steering Committee which makes recommendations to the National SAG/AFTRA Board regarding policy issues affecting the Audio Book industry and its members.

Reception

Ericksen has received several accolades for her narrations from Publishers Weekly:

• Regarding "Critical Mass" by Sara Paretsky: "Susan Ericksen, who has narrated several books in this series, gives V.I. a serious, level-headed tone..."
• In reference to "Carthage" by Joyce Carol Oates: "The husband-and-wife team of Susan Ericksen and David Colacci are gifted professionals who narrate this novel and embroil us in the tragedy of the Mayfield family..."
• For "Desperation in Death" by J.D. Robb: "Narrator Susan Ericksen's performance vibrates with energy as she portrays old and new characters in this series."
• Concerning "The Abundance" by Annie Dillard: "Ericksen’s narration flirts with glee. A complex journey beautifully told commands listening over and over to fully appreciate its layers of meaning and lyrical storytelling."
• In reference to "The Detox Strategy" by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith: "Her deliberate pacing and sturdy resonance convey thoughtfulness and confidence."
• For "Treachery in Death" by J.D. Robb: "The combination of Robb and Ericksen make for addictive listening."
• Pertaining to "Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weller: "Susan Ericksen reads like one of the girls, picking up from Weller's tone and sounding like a woman of the era..."
• In "Family Ties" by Danielle Steele: "Susan Ericksen demonstrates competence and attention to detail in bringing the dialogue to life."
• Commenting on "The Diary" by Eileen Goudge: "... the versatile Susan Ericksen gives the characters the life, color and personality they deserve..."
• On "L.A. Outlaws" by T. Jefferson Parker, which she co-narrated with David Colacci: "David Colacci's and Susan Ericksen's strong vocal talents bring his main characters to life with energy and wit... The two narrators and Parker's bristling tale makes a fast-paced and winning combination."

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Ericksen has been honored multiple times by AudioFile Magazine, with several of her narrations listed as "Best" in various categories over the years. Among her notable works, her narration for The Abundance by Annie Dillard was recognized as the AudioFile Best of 2016 in Nonfiction & Culture.

Awards and honors

Year	Title	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Desperation in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2022	Abandoned in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2018	Dark in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Winner
2015	The Abundance by Annie Dillard	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2014	Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates	AudioFile Earphones Award - David Colacci and Susan Ericksen]]	Winner
2013	Thankless in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Winner
2013	Critical Mass by Sara Paretsky	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2012	The Nightmare Thief by Meg Gardiner	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Thriller/Suspense	Winner
2012	New York to Dallas by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Winner
2012	Celebrity in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2012	New York to Dallas by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2011	Fantasy in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Finalist
2010	Body Work by Sara Paretsky	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2010	Fantasy in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2010	The Liar's Lullaby by Meg Gardiner	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2009	Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2009	Hardball by Sara Paretsky	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2009	Kindred in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2009	Promises in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2008	Strangers in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2008	L.A. Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker	AudioFile Earphones Award - David Colacci and Susan Ericksen]]	Winner
2007	Born in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Finalist
2007	Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2006	Origin in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Romance Audiobook	Winner
2006	Survivor in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Audie Award - Best Fiction Audiobook	Finalist
2006	Survivor in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2004	Naked in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2002	Reunion in Death by Nora Roberts	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner
2002	Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews	AudioFile Earphones Award	Winner

Stage Productions

As an actor, Ericksen has performed in regional theaters Across the country including The Cleveland Play House, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Baltimore Center Stage, Virginia Stage Company and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival.

Her many performances include: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Gint by Romulus Linney at New York's Theater for the New City, Seth Greenland's Jerusalem at the Cleveland Playhouse, and Bright Ideas by Eric Coble at the Cleveland Playhouse.

Hope Summer Repertory Theater

For many years Ericksen has been actively engaged as and Actor and Director for the Hope Summer Repertory Theater in Holland, Michigan. Her credits include two performances of I Do, I Do both of which she co-starred with her husband David Colacci. The first performance of this play happened just after they were married in 1990, and their revival of the roles in 2010 opened on the couple's 20th wedding anniversary.

His acting and directing contributions for HSRT include:

Year	Role/Contribution	Production
2017	Actor: Beatrice Carbone	A View from the Bridge
2017	Actor: Miss Hannigan	Annie
2015	Actor: Judith Bliss	Hay Fever (play)|Hay Fever
2014	Actor: Dollie Levi	The Matchmaker
2013	Actor: Margaret Johnson	The Light in the Piazza (musical)|The Light in the Piazza
2011	Actor: Marta 'Mama' Hanson	I Remember Mama
2010	Actor: Agnes	I Do, I Do
2008	Actor: Sister Aloysius Beauvier	Doubt: A Parable
2005	Actor: Hannah Ferguson	The Spitfire Grill
2003	Director	Once Upon a Mattress
2002	Actor: Sam	Fully Committed
2001	Director	The Wizard of Oz
1999	Director	The Tempest

Media Appearances

Ericksen and Colacci's contributions to the audiobook industry garnered attention from mainstream media. On November 3, 2019, the duo was featured on NBC's Today for their longevity and voice-over artistry in audiobook narration.

Personal Life

Ericksen and husband David Colacci were originally based in New York and eventually moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota with their two children. In their residence, they maintain a professional recording studio where they continue to work on various audiobook projects.