SPOTLIGHT:
MEET LAURA SCOTT.
Stage Management
By Emily Schafer - Florida School of the Arts
Laura Scott
There's a saying within our school, "Once a
Floie, always a Floie". Our student network
stretches far and wide throughout
performance and artistic communities
across the nation. This month we're
featuring one of our 2014 Stage
Management graduates, Laura Scott. This is
her third year as Company Manager at
Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL.
We asked her 10 Questions that reflect
back on her time as a student and now as a
working professional.
What made you decide to come to Florida
School of the Arts? How did you hear
about the school?
FloArts was not far from where I grew up,
which was Middleburg a suburb near
Jacksonville and I took a tour while still in
high school to see if it was something to
pursue. I was offered a Stage Management
scholarship, plus a program where you
started working on shows your first
semester and had smaller classes was
fantastic. Even, Professor Crotty was able to
convince my parents, who were skeptical,
that I could have a career in the industry.
What advice would you give to an
incoming freshmen student?
You will have good days and bad days, but
it’s a learning process. Never stop learning
because these years are the foundation of
your career and always stay in the present.
Be a sponge and absorb the knowledge!
What advice would you give to a
graduating student?
The timeline of applying for jobs or looking
for auditions is always moving. Over time
you will know when that time is, but you
always have to be searching the job isn’t
coming to find you; they need to know
you’re out there so Apply Apply Apply.
Some will accept and others will decline,
but always push forward and plan for the
future – Your future.
What’s you most valued memory of your
time here? What do you feel like made the
biggest impact? Did you know it at the
time or was it something you realized once
you left?
I fell in love with FloArts during my first
production I worked on, The Women of
Lockerbie by Deborah Brevoort. It was such
a special play with the most beautiful scenic
design. I was so proud to work with my
classmates on that show.
My eyes were opened to the magic of live
theatre. I will always cherish the
opportunity to direct the short play
Chinamen by Michael Frayn my second
year at FloArts. It was the perfect challenge
in the youth of my career and helped me
appreciate all the moving parts and
planning that goes into a production.
I love all the lessons FloArts taught me and
I didn’t embrace them fully until I left. They
are just like family and once you leave the
nest and spread your wings you fully
understand the love and devotion this
school gives to its students.
How do you feel Florida School of the Arts
prepared you for continuing on in school?
I wanted to do the Stage Management
program because I wanted to go into
Directing and Prof. Crotty thought it would
be a great way to learn the Production side
of Theatre.
When I went to Marshall I focused on the
performing side of theatre to deepen my
SM skills. Another class I took while at
FloArts was a Sociology course which was
very interesting and helps me every day
now with my job and working with others.
Where did you go after graduating from
Florida School of the Arts? School? Jobs?
I received a scholarship and completed my
bachelor’s degree at Marshall University in
Huntington, WV. Marshall didn’t have a
separate degree for Stage Management so
I completed my degree in Performance in
order to learn the acting side of theatre.
I finished my degree in two years there and
then started as a Stage Management
Apprentice at Riverside in October of 2016.
Their season ended in May 2017 and I
worked at my first summer stock at Maine
State Music Theatre in Brunswick Maine.
I loved both of these theatres and up until
2020 I would work between the two
theatres and move up in my positions
within the companies. I returned to
Riverside in June 2021 as their Full Time
Company Manager.
How do you think your time at Florida
School of the Arts prepared you for the
role you’re in now?
FloArts helped me to develop my problem
solving and critical thinking skills; both of
which I use in my personal and professional
life.
They taught me that no job is too small and
that everyone on a Production is a part of a
team with the same creative goals for a
show and always respect your fellow peers.
The FloArts Staff taught me to believe in
myself and the creative work I put out into
the world every day; because whether
you’re behind the curtain or in front of it we
are all creatives in this world.
What are some of your job responsibilities
at Riverside?
There are a wide variety of responsibilities I
do which are, but not limited to:
- Coordinating and supplying the travel and housing for all guest artists including, Actors, Designers, Directors, Musicians, and seasonal Production staff.
- Drafting and distributing contracts for upcoming artists or employees.
- Provide a positive experience to incoming guests and seasonal staff and boosting morale during the busy season.
- Cleaning and taking care of company vehicles, storage, and housing.
- Providing Lunch for Tech week and keeping the green room clean.
- For some Special Events at Riverside, I assist in coordinating and running the events.
- In case of emergencies, I am always on campus supervising during rehearsals and performances.
What do you wish you knew or did while
you were a student that you realize now
would be valuable?
Having the ability to time manage &
discipline oneself in order to balance life,
work and one’s health, sounds hard, but
with a little work it is possible.
What are your plans for the future? Five
years? 10 years?
I plan to be with Riverside a few more
seasons as I would like us to get back to full
running abilities for future performing
seasons. I’ve thought about going into
Production Management or even
Producing, but that’s down the way still.
In 10 years I know I would love to move
back to Maine and live closer to my family.