Scott Nixon
Today we continue our Profiles in Talent series, highlighting the theatre artists who contribute their time and talent to making Pegasus Theatre successful. Meet Scott Nixon, veteran of several Living Black & White™ shows and the current understudy for Harry Hunsacker. You can see Mr. Nixon as Harry in Saturday matinees during January!
Q: How long have you been involved in theatre?
Nearly 30 years. My first performance was in Working, after auditioning for Guys and Dolls and having the theatre teacher and choir director change course. I got to sing the Mason’s Song, which is a solo and not a particularly easy song to sing either. I was all at once excited and panicked, especially on opening night. I honestly don’t recall how it went because I was so traumatized, but I’m sure it was fine. I managed to perform in other shows for the remainder of my high school life so it couldn’t have been too bad.
Q: How long have you been involved with Pegasus Theatre?
I’ve been DIRECTLY involved with Pegasus Theatre for three years, starting with XSR:Die! directed by Michael Serrecchia in January 2013. I was, however, tangentially involved by way of performing in two of Kurt’s scripts when they were produced with MainStage Irving-Las Colinas (then ICT) in 2005. The first was Another Murder, Another Show! directed by Bruce Coleman. The second was Death/Take:1! directed by Andi Allen in which I got to play Lt. Foster. That was great fun! So I like to think I’ve been an unofficial member for 10 years. Sort of like Kanye West receiving an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Q: What is it about Pegasus Theatre that keeps you coming back?
The money. Ok, kidding aside. Mostly, the feeling of being a part of something special, something unique. Being a part of something that everybody else looking in wants to be a part of, until they see how much work is involved. It’s always exciting to tell people about the experiences with Pegasus, especially new people. They get so intrigued. And then I show them pictures and they just get wowed. There’s also the relationships you develop with the people involved with the show. I think we have as much fun off stage as we do on. I can’t say that about many other theatres. It’s a one of a kind experience. Also, the money.
Q: Any favorite moments that stand out for you?
I have a collection of moments on and off stage, but the one that stands out to me personally was my call back for Rehearsal For Murder! I had a conflict that evening so I was allowed to get in and read early. I read once or twice and was then asked to read as Harry against Budji (a.k.a. Ben Schroth) for what I assumed was for his benefit. I may have made some silly joke about reading Harry. We did it once and stood there briefly waiting for further instructions when I saw Kurt making his way up the aisle. He pulled me aside to inform me of the serious intention to cast an understudy for Kurt and to ask that I please read it again. To be honest, I don’t think a worse time could have been picked to let me in on that secret. Heart pumping. Palms sweating. Ears ringing. Seriously, I was pretty lightheaded. I managed to stumble through it and maybe even be a little funny.
(Editor’s note: He was perfect!)
Q: You have the interesting situation of playing a character that was already well-known to Pegasus audiences. Is that fun, challenging, annoying, etc, and what makes it so?
It’s an understatement to say “a character that was already well-known.” There’s a bit more to it than that. Not only is he a well-known character, but one exclusively performed by Kurt for Pegasus since the dawn of Harry & Co. Having said that, it’s incredibly fun. He’s the central character and gets the lion’s share of the laughs. I’m not too ashamed to say I like that. I believe all of us who like to be onstage do. Now it’s challenging because the character was born and raised in Kurt’s imagination and expression. Something that audiences (especially longtimers) have come to expect over the years. It’s inescapable. So while I don’t (can’t really) replicate Kurt’s efforts, I do try to add my own facets while hopefully maintaining the original intent of the character. It’s annoying because on some level, I can be as oblivious to the world as Harry and I think that’s what you all saw in me in the first place.
Q: What do you do when you aren’t working with Pegasus?
I am a computer programmer. That is, I sit at a desk (like the one I’m at now) typing on a keyboard (like the one in front of me now) banging my head against a wall (like the one next to me now), for 6-8 hours a day (depending on my efficiency). As a result my employer slaps me on the back, figuratively speaking, by giving me a paycheck and letting me leave the office for vacation from time to time. Also, when I’m at home I like to tinker. Artsy things occasionally. I sit on my couch too much. Although, I did just finish a shirt from fabric I got in Maui. That was fun.
Q: Looking back at all your experiences, who would you say has influenced you the most in your career?
Oh boy. This is always a bit hard to say because I feel like I open myself up to ridicule somehow. I guess most of my influences came from TV & film when I was young. Abbot & Costello, Gene Wilder, Carol Burnett (and company), Harrison Ford, Christopher Lloyd, and Bruce Willis were idols as a kid. As I got a little older I was influenced more by stage artists like Mandy Patinkin, Howard McGillin, and Bernadette Peters. These days I’m less influenced and more inspired by performers. For instance, I think Gary Oldman is one of the greatest actors of all time. His range and collection of characters are broader than any other. That is an inspiration to me.
Q: What comes next for you?
At the time of this writing I have no plans theatrically. One or two auditions have piqued my interest but nothing concrete is in the works. The only certainty in the next few weeks is that I’ll finally catch up on Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire.