by Lorie Lewis Ham
Recently, Scott Hancock became the new Artistic Director for CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre. While new to the position, Scott is definitely not new to theatre. KRL sat down with Scott to chat about the new position.
Scott Hancock
KRL: I understand that you are now the Artistic Director for CenterStage Clovis, when and how did that come to be?
Scott: I was asked to direct Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the summer of 2013. Soon after that I was invited to join the board of directors, and then one thing led to another. We had a relatively small board and we needed to reach out and fill some much needed positions. We have added four new board members and we are looking forward to the summer of 2017.
KRL: How long have you been involved with CenterStage?
Scott: I actually performed with CenterStage in the summer of 1997 in (ironically enough) Fiddler on the Roof.
KRL: What have you enjoyed most about working with CenterStage?
Scott: The collaboration. When you have shows of these size, we tend to have more people behind the scenes than we do onstage at any given time. Everyone on the team shares one goal: to bring quality, live entertainment to the Central Valley.
KRL: How do you feel about taking on this new role there?
Scott: I have days when I feel completely confident in my abilities, and then I have days when I wonder “What in the world have I gotten myself into?” The fact that restores my sanity is knowing that we have such a solid support system and team in play.
KRL: Can you share with us a little about your theatre background?
Scott: I grew up onstage at Fresno Children’s Playhouse at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Fresno. My degree is in theater arts from Fresno State. I’ve been fortunate enough to perform and direct for several theater companies in the Valley. Notably, Childrens’ Musical Theaterworks, Townsend Opera Players, and Centerstage.
KRL: What are your plans and goals for the upcoming season and for CenterStage in general?
Scott: We would like to branch out eventually and try to do two or three shows every year. The talent pool here is quite deep, so we would like to be a vehicle for performers to exercise their craft as much as possible. We also want to launch a summer program specifically for young people, providing them with training in acting, singing and dancing and give the younger folks who might not be quite ready for a full stage show a chance to perform and hone their craft.
KRL: What shows will you be doing next year?
Scott: We are doing Fiddler on the Roof for the summer of 2017 and are toying with a Christmas show if the logistics all work out.
Scott directing THE MUSIC MAN for CenterStage
KRL: Do you have dates yet for Fiddler?
Scott: Yes, Fiddler will run the 13-15 and 20-22 of July, 2017.
KRL: How do you go about picking the shows?
Scott: That’s always one of the biggest decisions our board has to make. We poll performers and audience members as to what show they would like to see (or perform in.) Those lists include some outstanding shows, but we have to be careful to choose a title that will also appeal to the general public.
KRL: Are you involved in any other local theatre in 2017?
Scott: I’m the musical director for Heathers at Fresno State in the Spring. That will run right around the same time as Fiddler auditions, so it will be a very tight few months, but I love every minute of it.
Learn more about CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre on their Facebook page and website.
You can find more theatre articles, and other entertainment articles, in our Arts & Entertainment section.
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