'The Self-Isolated Artist' Series: Toronto Profile of Scott Clarkson
Interview compiled by Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic. Twitter: @szekeresjoe
From the one production I had seen a few summers ago in Perth, Ontario, I can recall vividly that Scott Clarkson offered one hilarious performance. It was a treat to watch him each time he appeared on the stage.
Scott received his BFA as a Theatre Major from Montreal’s Concordia University, but he spent most of his years after graduation holding down a variety of regular jobs and playing as a bassist in bands in Montreal. When this time ran its course, Scott then returned to pursue acting, taking workshops in Montreal and Ottawa. In 2001, he performed his one man show for the Montreal Fringe Theatre Festival. In 2002, Scott moved to New York City and landed at the Herbert Berghof Studio, remembered especially as the school where his wife the great actor and teacher Uta Hagen taught. Scott stayed in New York for four years working and watching the theatre scene closely. He returned to Canada in 2006 and has worked in theatre in Toronto since then and has enjoyed working at the Classical Festival Theatre in Perth, Ontario over the last few summers.
Some of Scott’s influences on his career include Kat Sandler, Laurel Smith, Michael Murphy and the array of actors/technical people with whom he has had the pleasure of working.
We conducted our interview via email:
1. How have you and your family been doing during this period of isolation and quarantine?
I live alone, so in many ways this time has been unremarkable. But the drastic cut back in working hours and the closure of so many businesses around me has made everyday life a bit...samey.
2. Were you involved or being considered for any projects before the pandemic was declared and everything was shut down?
I had a six-week contract to do a play in June and July, but that was cancelled.
3. What has been the most challenging part of this period of ‘staycation’ and isolation?
I miss little things like hanging out with friends once a week! Or popping into a retail shop just to browse!
4. What are you doing to keep yourself busy during this time of lockdown except for essential services?
I walk my dog most days, more than once. She’s tired of my jokes. I’ve just about watched all the TV I can take. But I’ve also done a few remote music projects with old band mates back home in Montreal. And I’ve finally started my long put off goal of reading the complete works of William Shakespeare.
5. What advice would you give to other performing artists who are concerned about the impact of COVID-19?
Keep in touch with your community! Everyone’s going through this, it helps to hear from your peers! And make use of the time to check off any of those projects you can do or at least start at home - it’d be a lousy feeling to come out the other side and have nothing to show for it.
6. Do you see any positives coming out of this pandemic?
An increased awareness of personal hygiene can’t be a bad thing! Maybe there’s something to be said for a break in our usual hectic pace, a chance to reconsider how we prioritize our time.
7. Do you believe the Canadian performing arts scene will somehow be changed or impacted as a result of COVID – 19?
I guess so, but I couldn’t say how.
8. Many artists are turning to streaming/online performances to showcase/highlight/share their work. Any advantages to doing this? Disadvantages? Are you doing or will you be doing any of this?
I don’t see a disadvantage at this point - it seems to be allowing artists opportunity to be creative, interact with other artists and offer something to anyone who’s interested; maybe it’s also a chance for many of us to start thinking in new ways of how to present what we do beyond the traditional venues, and to learn more about making technology work for us.
Other than my remote music recordings, I haven’t done anything yet but a couple of actor friends in the US have talked about reading plays together via Zoom, so that could be fun!
9. What is it about performing you love?
Taking on the wants and aims of someone else for awhile is instructional and healthy - I like getting out of my own head for a bit! And it’s a kind of magic when I watch others do it well, and I forget everything but the story I’m seeing on stage or screen. It’s great to offer that to an audience. Laughter. A hush. Knowing they’ve been moved some way. That’s gold.
As a nod to ‘Inside the Actors’ Studio’ and the late James Lipton, here are the 10 questions he asked his guests at the conclusion of his interviews:
a. What is your favourite word? Obsequious
b. What is your least favourite word? Cram
c. What turns you on? When my dog is happy to see me. Or anyone, for that matter.
d. What turns you off? Stress
e. What sound or noise do you love? Well-executed two-part harmony.
f. What sound or noise bothers you? People typing on computer keyboards in any movie or TV show that features it.
g. What is your favourite curse word? Blerg. (I’ve been watching a lot of 30 Rock.)
h. What profession, other than your own, would you have liked to attempt? Running a vintage movie house in a small town, curating the classics...
i. What profession would you not like to do? So many I’ve already proven bad at: salesman probably tops it, or any kind of food server.
j. If Heaven exists what do you imagine God will say to you as you approach the Pearly Gates?
“Lucky for you, we had a cancellation.”
Scott Clarkson’s headshot courtesy of Brad Todd