Orlando’s Scott comes home to lead Broadway workshop
The Genie’s coming back to town. Michael James Scott, the Central Floridian who sprung from the lamp in “Aladdin” at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts this year, will headline a two-day workshop at Orlando Repertory Theatre in July.
Signups for “Michael James Scott’s Broadway Challenge,” July 20-21, start at noon Thursday, June 18, and space is limited.
“After the overwhelming response of love I received returning home to play the Genie in the Broadway tour of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ at the Dr. Phillips Center, I was so inspired to be able to come back home and focus on getting to teach and pass on all the tricks and knowledge I’ve been given in my career to the young artists of Orlando,” said Scott, who has played Genie on Broadway, in London and in Australia, where he was named best featured actor in a musical.
“We are beyond excited to welcome the incredible Michael James Scott back home to work with our young people that are interested in diving deeper into the craft of performance,” said Orlando Rep artistic director Jeff Revels. “I have followed Michael’s career excitedly over the years as I remember watching him as a high-school performer and back then, you knew this was an actor to keep your eye on.”
Scott also has starred on Broadway in “Something Rotten,” “The Book of Mormon” — where his character memorably suffered from a sensitive affliction involving maggots — “Mamma Mia,” “Tarzan,” “All Shook Up,” “The Pirate Queen,” “Elf ” and “Hair.”
Locally, Central Floridians might also have seen him this winter performing at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World.
During the Rep’s workshop, students will learn choreography from Scott’s shows. Participants should also choose a song from a list provided by the theater to work on in a master class with Scott and an accompanist.
In addition, Scott will share his insight and advice from growing up in Orlando to the success he has found in his career. The workshop, for students in grades 7-12, meets from 3-7 p.m. July 20-21, and the fee is $350. Register at orlandorep.com/ youthacademy/mjs-broadway-challenge, or for more information, email education@orlandorep.com or call 407-896-7365, Ext. 219.
Orlando Repertory has precautions in place in the fight against coronavirus, so note that students will be required to complete a health questionnaire, undergo daily temperature screenings, wear masks and maintain social distancing while participating. Schedules are designed to allow periodic mask breaks.
The coronavirus pandemic inspired Scott to give back to Central Florida, he said.
“This has been an incredibly challenging time in our world, and so many young artists have had to adjust to a new normal,” Scott said. “Orlando has been so good to me, and I’ve always wanted to come back and do some work with the performing-arts community that held me up and supported me in such an inspiring way. … I am the product of a community that cares about the arts, and it’s now my turn to come back home and start contributing to this gorgeous community.”