As we celebrate lots of new things on the Live Arts Theatre horizon, we are highlighting various people who make up the village we like to call the Live Arts Theatre family. This series will focus on the many actors, directors, techies, stage hands, members, and even our regular theatre-goers who make Live Arts Theatre great.
Our next profile is Scott Piehler.
Please introduce yourself:
I’m Scott Piehler, and I wear a lot of theatrical hats. I am primarily known as a director, but I also do sound design, act, voice-over, and most recently I added “Playwright” to that list.
How long have you been involved in theatre?
I was a high school “Theatre Kid.” At my graduation from The New Hampton School in New Hampton, NH, I won the “Blake Samson Theatre Award,” recognizing the school’s top theatre achiever. Didn’t do much with theatre after that, until about 15 years later when I started doing a great deal of Drama at McKendree UMC in Lawrenceville.
What brought you to Live Arts?
In 2014, my daughter Amanda auditioned for (and won) the lead role of Swallow in Whistle Down The Wind. As often happens in Community Theatre, they were in need of more male performers. I wound up being cast as “Boone,” who is Swallow’s father. So, father & daughter got to play father and daughter.
What is your favorite Live Arts show that you’ve worked on/seen? And Why?
This is like being asked to pick a favorite child, but I do maintain a soft spot for Whistle Down The Wind. It was truly a stars-align, “lightning-in-a-bottle” moment.
What do you love about Live Arts?
LAT is not only willing to take risks, they understand that the many flavors of theatre are equally important. Whether it’s edgy topical fare like ReEntry, or a fluffy romantic comedy like Outside Mullingar, equal respect is given.
I will also be eternally grateful for LAT giving me a platform to debut my first full-length play Acid Tongue.
What are you looking forward to?
Before things shut down, I was taking a brief break from theatre as I had just been hired for a new job. I am now really looking forward to that break being over. Whatever hat I’m wearing, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my theatre friends.