Scott Reardon
From Peter: Scott held the dressing room station next to mine for nine beautiful and exhausting months on Disney Cruise Line. He has a smile to brighten the room, one of the best listening ears I’ve ever encountered, and a new angle to attack any problem. To this day, I am still impressed by Scott’s positivity, practicality, and ingenuity when it came to this career.
In a world where most young artists convince themselves it’s “New York, LA, or Bust”, Scott has made his home in the Bay Area nearly all of his professional career. And it’s been an illustrious career at that. Whether getting his Equity card performing alongside James Monroe Iglehart in Big River, countless Silicon Valley industrials and commercials, or a twelve-year stint at San Francisco’s iconic Beach Blanket Babylon, Scott is daily proof you don’t have to be in the biggest markets to realize your dreams.
We talked to Scott in the early part of this year before Coronavirus shut down the business. To aid the feature he had already completed, he graciously answered our Corona Coping questions as well. And, just as we expected, Scott is managing his business, attitude, and innovation way better than the average bear. If you’re interested in life outside of big markets, how to pursue goals outside of the theatre, or a good long breath of optimism and creativity: Scott’s your guy.
What were you looking forward to that you lost because of COVID-19?
I was in the midst of rehearsals as the Production Stage Manager of 9 to 5 when we had to cease rehearsals when the Bay Area Counties banded together to order a shelter-in-place. As the weeks have progressed, my summer contracts have been cancelled and so have my cabaret concerts that were scheduled for around the Bay Area.
What is something (a thought, a family member, a hope, a piece of art, a meme, a song, ANYTHING) that is getting you through?
I am extremely lucky that I am still employed through my school district, teaching my Resource students through Distance Learning is something that has truly helped me through this whole ordeal. Though it has been an extreme uphill climb trying to acclimate to teaching in this new style that no one was prepared for, it has provided me a sense of purpose and duty. I am able to get up each morning knowing I have a task in front of me, a child who needs help, and something to accomplish that, thankfully, still provides me a paycheck in these trying times. Another aspect to Distance Learning that has allowed me to find joy is translating my passion and abilities of on-camera to the classroom. I film lessons, provide Zoom meetings, use my green screen, and anything else to help entice, intrigue, and make this whole process a little more exciting for me and the students. (I attached a picture of my “new normal” dining room setup)
What do you think has an opportunity to change as a result of this time to reset?
I think this time will be extremely valuable for reflection and a way for everyone to make sure they are where, and who, they want to be. I hope we are all able to see how fortunate we have been with the options in our everyday life. Now that we are out of our “norm,” I hope we can identify some of the simple things we have begun to take for granted, and when we are able to partake in those activities, no matter how trite, we relish in our ability to actually do them once more. I also want everyone to understand the importance of the human connection. It is extremely impressive, through our technological advancements, that we are able to see and hear people from thousands of miles away, but nothing can compare to the face-to-face interactions we have on an everyday basis.
Quarantine Quickly:
Favorite snack: Is Alcohol a snack?
Home workout routine (you know, if you're into that): Oh yeah, I need to get on that!
What are you watching: Where to start…Binging like a champ!
What you are reading: “Hatchet” as I lead a Virtual Book Club for my students
Yes or no… Out of pajamas before noon?: Business on Top, Pajamas on the Bottom!
Photo Credits:
Pic 1: Headshot by Allison Bluestein @ www.alyblueheadshots.com
Pic 2: King Louis in Beach Blanket Babylon - Photo Cred: Rick Markovich
Pic 3: Slime Time: The Live Show (my first job)
Pic 4: NYC Trip
Pic 5: Me and the Big Cheese
Pic 6: “New Normal” dining room setup!