Scott Fugate has worn many hats throughout his life as a Theatre Professional (Actor, Director, Writer, Producer, Artistic Director, Theatre & Tour Manager), Acting Teacher & Coach, Workshop Leader, Arts Minister, Christian Missionary, Creative Facilitator, Arts Educator, Jazz & Arts Promoter, DJ, Radio Manager, Program & Music Director, Producer of Podcasts, Voice-over Talent, College, Technical Writer, Playwright, Screen Writer, Photographer & most recently – Videographer (filming, editing & producing). Scott has amassed a large body of professional theatre projects over the past 35 years in every possible arena (community & regional theatres, elementary & high schools, ministries, churches, non-profits, colleges & universities, military bases, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, retreat centers, conventions, businesses, performing on buses, subways, the back of trucks, on the street, etc.) throughout most states and 14 countries. He earned his Master’s Degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice from Lancaster University in Northern England.
The start of the new millennium (i.e. 2000) stirred up a new focus on one of his life-long private passions . . . jazz. To that end, he started the Atlanta Jazz Group on Yahoo to help promote local artists and venues for live jazz in Atlanta and the Southeast . . . which led to volunteering in radio . . . and eventually running a radio station – Eclectic 89.1 WBCX at Brenau University in Gainesville. His passion for promoting jazz branded him with the nickname, “The Jazz Evangelist”. He used it as a tongue in cheek DJ name on the radio – and, due to its popularity, it kind of stuck. After his first year in radio, Scott was awarded as “Radio Personality of the Year” by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters 2001-2002.
Scott still had one foot in theatre (serving as the Artistic Director of Stage Door Players in Dunwoody, GA) until he progressed from volunteer to manager of WBCX in the fall of 2002 – and was likewise hired as a Professor in the Mass Communications Department. Over the next 7 years he worked to transform the automated station (playing a smooth jazz satellite feed) into a live, local, creative force for social change in North Georgia through an eclectic blend of multicultural music from the jazz & classical continuum . . . developing 10 unique programming formats (blocks of jazz & classical styles which differed each day and night) and facilitating the development and production of over 80 independent shows hosted by students and community volunteers.
Much of his work in theatre over the years focused on at-risk populations, marginalized cultures, oppressed people, and inner city youth. With a strong foundation and focus in faith, he experimented & practiced with just about every art form in an attempt to discover a vehicle through which the Holy Spirit could speak directly to people’s hearts, minds and souls.
Despite the job or art form, his goals have always remained constant – to encourage, entertain, inspire, educate, break down walls, broaden perspectives, and nurture creativity in others — whatever the venue or medium it may be. He believes that life is a journey of creativity, communication & faith . . . to be shared with others through love, without ego or a competitive spirit.
He likewise produces & hosts weekly music podcasts, provided freely for world-wide enjoyment on www.soulandjazz.com.
He is also staying true to his roots and training with his own theatre – Structured Anarchy Theatre Company in NE Georgia offering professional actor training and a creative resource in areas of communication, creativity & team building.
He is currently a drama teacher at Heritage Academy in Braselton, where he is helping to build their arts program, and likewise does drama & communication workshops in churches & schools throughout the metro-Atlanta area.