| My journey as an artist has been the basis for my creative and artistic philosophy. As an actor, I learned that the only constant is change and embraced it in all of my work. As a young black actor, I had to turn down many projects because they relied on negative stereotypes to define the character or identity of my race. I chose the path of director/educator to create projects that fulfill me as an artist, that feature the beauty and proud style of all people, and that touch and change people’s lives. |
| I see my role as a collaborator, interpreter, and communicator of great stories. The most important vision is the writer’s, the author/composer’s. Playwrights have the truth and we are here as actors, directors, and designers to interpret and communicate the story to the audience as clearly and artistically as skills allow. |
| The life we all share as artists is both exhilarating and devastating, so our work in theatre must contain the same. A director must be the humanist who puts everything together with a process and experience that is enhancing for the entire company. |
| I approach my work as a director in both professional and academic productions in much the same manner. Skill levels may vary between professionals and students, so I am a little more patient with students: I give them more time, but I treat the production as a professional production. Students will work up to one’s expectations if they are given the opportunity. and are then able to make an easy transition into their professional careers. |
| My work in the professional community stirs my creative juices, and the students benefit from this creativity in the classroom. I benefit as well, relying on their comments and suggestions to inform future productios. My working relationship with area theatres opens avenues for internships and jobs as assistant directors, dramaturgs, stage managers, designers, and actors. |
| The combination of a professional and academic career has been very beneficial to my journey as an artist. I rely on the arts to hone my skills to better prepare future generations of theatre artists. As an educator, I am fortunate to practice an art in which conception and execution are governed by imagination and taste. |
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| HOME Scot Reese, Assoc. Prof., Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dept. of Theatre, UMCP. |