We were lucky to catch up with Emma Jean Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emma Jean, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I was a kid, my grandpa used to take me to lots of different plays and musicals around where we lived in Ohio. I believe that the first one we saw together was a production of ‘Grease’ at a local theater. Though I can’t remember many of the details from that night, I’ll always remember the excitement of the lights dimming and the orchestra swelling as the overture began. I still have the signed playbill from that show on my wall- framed with the tickets too! Not long after seeing ‘Grease,’ my parents and grandparents took me to see the tour of ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ It was at this show that everything seemed to click for me. The sight of the chandelier crashing toward the stage and the audience gasping took my breath away. The impact that the actors on stage had was incredible, and I was captivated by how these people transformed into larger-than-life characters. I remember leaning haphazardly over the balcony watching ‘Past the Point of No Return’ and humming it under my breath as I lay half asleep on the car ride home. Serendipitously, at the same time I went to see this play, I was working on a school project about our dream jobs. I had gone back and forth a few times on what I wanted to do. My first draft was a doctor, then an architect, an archaeologist, and a slew of other random jobs that were all I could manage to think of at the time. I went in and edited the whole project and told my whole class that I wanted to be an actress when I grew up. After that, I never looked back.
Emma Jean, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Emma Jean Scott, and I am a current senior at Oglethorpe University studying Theater and Film/Media Studies. I was graciously awarded the full tuition theater scholarship for my year, and I work hard to continue my exploration of theater through shows and Oglethorpe and beyond. My summers are spent running the North Georgia Community Players children’s theater program, and my free time is spent making short films with my friends and auditioning however I can. I also work as the Marketing/Graphic Design Assistant at Actor’s Express and absolutely ADORE my time spent there. I do my best to explore as many facets of the theater world as possible, and in doing so, I have often found myself in new and unfamiliar territory! I am so excited to continue exploring, so if you want to follow my journey, be sure to check out my Instagram account, @emmajeanscottofficial (it’s also listed below)!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The importance of working in an ensemble is something that I think every actor has to learn. It may seem like something that comes naturally to all, but in my younger days of performance, I never truly grasped what it meant to work as ‘one.’ I think a lot of this came from a lack of self-confidence, which would often turn into ‘over-performing’ on stage just to grab a few chuckles or steal a bit of the spotlight. I am certainly not proud of those moments, but I think those embarrassing moments were crucial to my development. When I was ‘over-performing’, I never really thought about the people around me. My focus was on my own performance and how it would affect me. I wasn’t focused. Truly, I didn’t realize it until after a performance of ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ my friend came to talk to me and said, “You know, you look into the audience a lot.” Apparently, I had been spending half my time on stage not-so-sneakily trying to see if the audience was enjoying how I acted. Not only this, but someone NOTICED. I have never forgotten him telling me that. At the moment, I was so upset that I had ruined my own performance, but when I took the time to actually think about ‘why’ I was looking into the audience, I found a way to grow from it. I wasn’t giving my attention to the other people on stage; I wasn’t present, and I was not working as an ensemble. I was operating as an individual on stage when I needed to be working as a team. From that point on, I tried my best to give all my attention to the people on stage and to always work as an ensemble. I truly think that development is something that took my performance to the next level, and I’ll always be grateful to my friend who called me out.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
See and share! There are so many quick and easy ways to support artists in our community with the absolute boom of social media. A simple like, comment, and follow is a HUGE support to small artists and can truly help to grow their brand/recognition. I also recommend attending art shows and other free creative events in your area. Even if you cannot afford/don’t want to purchase anything, being there and spreading word of mouth about artists you admire is a great way to help them grow. The same thing goes for the film world! If you see a short film online that you like- SHARE IT! It would literally mean the WORLD to the people involved. I have never felt more honored than when someone has chosen to share my work on their platform, no matter the size. It is an active display of support and one that is of no cost to you. As for ways that involve a little spending, GO SEE A SHOW AT YOUR LOCAL THEATER!!! I can guarantee that it will be 10 times more fun than going to see a movie and an experience that you will never get to have again. In conclusion: like, comment, and go see a show!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
B&W Headshot: Casablanca Photography
‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’ Photo: Barrett Carico
‘The Journey-Man’ BTS Photos: Chloe Clemensen
‘The Miss Firecracker Contest’ Photos: Brody Young
Headshot 2: Tammi Nowack