I had the absolute pleasure to see Terran Scott perform as Sarah in the Arden Theater’s production of Ragtime. Her performance was stellar, and I was reminded of how often she’s been working since graduation. She’s known for making great connections with directors and other collaborators: something for which I’m at a total loss.
When did you graduate from UArts and what was your major?
I graduated in May 2019 with my BFA in Musical Theatre!
Briefly describe your experience at UArts. How did the school prepare you?
Briefly? Oof. Okay. I think I had a really great experience because I made sure to do as much as I wanted to do (and as little of what I didn’t want to do). I love school and I love doing well at school, so I worked hard to get good grades (and scholarships!!) and make connections with my teachers and directors. I initially didn’t know that UArts was going to provide me with a training mish mash of devised theatre, indie musicals, and classics, and I know that doesn’t work for everyone, but it really worked for me! I really felt like I found myself as an artist, the kind of art I find most fulfilling, and yes, how to make art that may not be so fulfilling (but that comes with a fat check) still exciting.
What did you do right after you graduated? What was the transition from student to professional like for you?
I kinda slid into the professional actor life. I had been in a series of weeklong workshops for a musical called Minors at the Lantern Theater Company for a year before we went into full rehearsals and production at the end of April, 2019. So I was in rehearsals full-time while finishing up my last month of school. (Yes, I did have to go to tech for 8 hours after the commencement ceremony.) Immediately after Minors closed (like, the day after), I went up to Vassar College for two weeks for a workshop of The Elementary Spacetime Show for New York Stage & FIlm’s Powerhouse Season. And since then, I’ve been hopping from show to show, workshop to workshop, pretty much nonstop. It’s been really awesome. I didn’t really have time to think about the transition between student life and professional life. I think the most exciting thing for me was realizing, once I had finally finished my last day of classes, that I didn’t have to worry about my teachers getting frustrated with me for missing class for rehearsal anymore. And I never have to worry about that again!
How do you balance working a “normal” job and auditioning?
I don’t actually know if I’m the person to answer that question! I haven’t had to work a survival or supplemental job just yet. I also haven’t been on a ton of auditions because I’ve been running around all summer and was on a contract this fall. Now that I’m done with all of that, though, I have about 3 weeks between contracts where I have a lot of auditions planned here in New York. I was able to save enough money from my previous contracts (because I have been subletting my apartment) to not really have to worry about getting a job between contracts so I can really focus on auditioning.
How did you get your name out there?
I really have to credit my teachers and directors for that. Matt Decker, who directed me in American Idiot my sophomore year, is the reason I was in Minors. Andrew Neisler, who directed me in Guys & Dolls, is the reason I just did a reading in New York for a dusted off Alan Menken musical. César Alvarez and Amanda Morton are two others I can’t not mention. I also made a website (terranscott.com !!!) that I make sure to list in my bio for shows because there is always a chance that if someone sees you in a show and likes you, they will keep you on their radar for the future.
You’re working with the Arden right now. That’s awesome! How did you get your foot in the door at such a prestigious theater?
Yes, I just finished doing Ragtime! I’d submitted to audition and been in for understudy auditions in previous years, but for this season, I simply went to their EPA (Equity Principal Audition), had a couple auditions, a movement call, and callbacks, and got an offer! (I think it helped that Terry knew I had already been on a professional stage in Philly with a director he knew. He told me during rehearsals that he called Matt Decker before casting me to make sure I was the right choice. Apparently I was!)
What’s working with the Arden like?
The Arden is a lovely company to work for! Everyone is incredibly kind and their theatrical focus lies comfortably between commercial theatre and art-making, which, I think, is a great place to be. Working with this particular cast was especially wonderful because we created space for open dialogue, honesty, and truth.
Do you have any advice for any current UArts students?
You are already a working professional. You’re just not getting paid yet! The directors, playwrights, music directors, teachers, etc, you work with in college could one day get you a job. Show them that you’re a professional now to get the job later!
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