Nobody puts Scottie Taylor in a corner. That’s musical-theater lingo for: Don’t pigeonhole this actor, director and behind-the-scenes workhorse for the local theater scene in Waycross, Ga., who has done everything from playing dual roles in “To Kill a Mockingbird” to portraying bigger-than-life drag mom Edna Turnblad in
“Hairspray.”
About “40 miles from everything,” Waycross, population 14,250, is also the headquarters city of Flash Foods Inc., the 170-store chain for which Taylor works as a special projects coordinator.
As devoted to his job as he is, Taylor finds a different kind of creative freedom in working with the local theater community.
Q: Where did you first get the itch to do theater?
A: When I started at Beacon County High in Alma, Ga., we didn’t have a theater program. We had a literary club. We did a Thanksgiving show that was pretty funny and followed it up with a Christmas show. That got my wheels turning.
Q: So it led to working with the Waycross group?
A: The Waycross Area Community Theater, or WACT. My first show was in 2002. I did “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I played two characters. Then in 2009, we did “Hairspray.” I played Edna Turnblad, the mom. That was a fun experience, but a lot of work. I’m a big, hairy fellow. I had to do a lot of grooming for that role.
Q: And in this time you got your job at Flash Foods.
A: A friend of mine was working here. I started off doing in-house credit cards, then store paperwork, and then after that, lottery. Then I moved to IT [information technology] and have been there ever since.
Q: So how has your role in the theater evolved?
A: I directed two shows. The very first one was “Hallelujah Girls” and the second was “Steel Magnolias.” I’m the southern comedy guy.
Q: And behind the scenes?
A: For two years, I was on the board of directors. We made the decisions on what shows to do and what directors to hire. We voted on how we spent our money and came up with ideas for fundraisers.
Q: Tell us about the theater and its renovations.
A: The Ritz is an old vaudeville theater. Then it became a movie theater, and then a theater group moved in and turned it into a performing-arts center. In the late 1990s, the roof collapsed. We’ve patched it together, but it’s a big work in progress.
Q: So as you put resources into the building, are you also building an audience?
A: Those who want this are supportive. The two shows I’ve directed were both moneymakers.
Q: So what’s behind your dedication?
A:It’s something I really love. I love being on stage and performing. Walking on stage, wondering who’s out there ... it’s a rush, like a drug for me. Nothing else is important but hearing applause or laughter. I’m really sort of a shy person. But when you get on stage, you’re somebody else. It’s the opportunity to escape the real world.
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