"Don't be afraid to be patient." - Chatting with Elsa Scott Besler!

I would like to introduce you to Elsa Scott Besler. Elsa is currently performing in Arsenic and Old Lace at The Myers Dinner Theatre in Indiana performing the role of Elaine Harper. Originally from Missouri, Elsa has performed all over the country for theatre companies such as The Great Plains Theatre, Round Barn Theatre, Centerstage Theatre Fontana, and The National Theatre for Children, just to name a few.

Ever since starting this interview series for OnStage Blog, I can say that the biggest joy in the world for me is interviewing wonderful artists from all walks of life. It truly inspires me especially in the times we are living in. I am very happy to have the chance to interview Elsa Scott Besler, and I truly hope you enjoy this feature of a very talented artist.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer on the stage?

I was 17. I'd been doing community theatre since I was about three, but it was the first time I'd even considered it as a career. I have a wide range of interests so I had a lot of "what I want to be when I grow up"s floating around in my head up to that point. I had a director sit me down and ask if I needed a letter of recommendation for acceptance to theatre schools. He just assumed that I would need it, and it kind of clicked for me in that moment.

Are there any mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today?

Well, amazing is a stretch, but a very flattering one. I'm wildly grateful for each of the amazing mentors and educators I've had in my life. I've been lucky enough to have people mentor me who were both performers and not, and I think that's so important. Recently, I've been reflecting on the number of incredible women I've had an influence on my life.

My first ever voice teacher, Paula Patterson; Jeanie Rainey, the best jazz accompanist I've ever worked with; Heather Luellen, who jointly headed the musical theatre department at my university; Cheryl Love Miller Hale, an exceptional director who treated students like true professionals and who I credit with teaching me more about the industry than any other one person; and C.J. Maples, who taught me to dissect a text. The list goes on including people in and out of the performance industry. I think it's vital to stay friends with and continue learning from people who do not work in our industry. I was frequently told in college that diverse views and interests would make me a better performer, but I honestly think that the people who were telling me that were missing the mark.

Diversification may make me a better performer, but I think more importantly it makes me a better, happier version of myself.

We are living in some unprecedented times in the world. For all artists (especially actors) it is definitely a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?

Well, I'm lucky enough to have a part time remote job, so that helps keep me on a schedule, even when not performing, but even so it's been difficult to handle not working on a show since last March. I was talking about diversification, and those other interests and other forms of creative release have really helped me to keep an even keel.

My everyday schedule varies, but it's really easy for me to lose a whole day to doing nothing if I don't keep a to-do list. I also like to spend 5-10 minutes at the end of the day reviewing what the day has been like. Have I finished my to-do list? Did I spend hours scrolling mindlessly on my phone? Did I make time to do anything I love? Did I spend any time outside? What can I do to better take care of myself tomorrow? My biggest thing is being outside. I've always had a deep connection with nature and growing things (gardening is one of those other interests I was talking about earlier, and I find so much peace in caring for plants). Being outdoors hiking or gardening is the single best thing I can do for my mental health.

Congratulations on Arsenic and Old Lace at Myers Dinner Theatre. Jeremy Littlejohn is a true gem in our industry. How has your time been in the show so far?

I'm always pleased to work with friends and family, and coming back to Myer's is always like that, and, of course, any time I get to work with my husband is a joy. Having that kind of comfort and familiarity always gives a show an extra boost

Are there any shows, performances, or experiences in your wonderful career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

I met my husband doing "Harvey" which is my favorite play. I don't think it can get much closer to my heart than that.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists in these challenging times?

Don't be afraid to be patient. At the best of times in this industry, it's a trait we should all cultivate, but right now, it's even more important. It feels like we're in a holding pattern, and that can be frustrating. Eventually, our industry will figure out how to create forward momentum again, and jobs will start to come back. Humanity needs the arts, so we won't be shut down forever.

In the meantime, I've seen a lot of people saying "Practice every day!" "Be ready!" "Stay vigilant, so that when it comes back, you'll be the first to get a job!" and I strongly disagree with this thought process. (I know, easy for me to say, right? I'm the one working.) The focus right now needs to be on being good people, not on being good actors. We are more than our professions. If you need to continue working on your craft *for you*, please continue doing so. But we should not be forcing ourselves to continue creating out of some kind of guilt or fear that we won't be ready to work when we're able to again. Trust yourself that you're not going to forget how to do your job.

What I think is vital right now is taking care of ourselves and others. Keep in contact with the people you care about. Allow yourself down days, and allow yourself to have good days too. People, ourselves included, are more important than jobs. Jobs last a few months - the people in your life are going to be around a lot longer than that.

To learn more about Elsa make sure you visit her official website at - https://elsascott.com;

Arsenic and Old Lace opens on October 23rd and runs until November 8th. To learn more about the show make sure you visit - https://myersdt.com/arsenic-and-old-lace