REAGAN SCOTT LIVED IN CHINA AS AN INFANT • ENJOYS VISITING NEW YORK TO SEE FAMILY AND BROADWAY SHOWS • Dreams of a career in film • Has Two cats, Vixie and Veruca, and a dog, Oso • DAUGHTER OF BETH AND STEPHEN
There wasn't enough room for Reagan Scott and the stacks of unpacked boxes as her family transitioned to their Hinsdale home in the summer of 2021.
The Theatre of Western Springs's High School Repertory provided an escape for the then-freshman.
"I did the summer stock performance of 'Something Rotten!' like a week after I moved here," related Scott, now a Hinsdale Central junior. "They were all so nice, and I just decided to stay."
Which means she's in the cast of the repertory's staging of the "Mean Girls" musical opening at 7 p.m. tomorrow, July 28, and running through Sunday, July 30, at the theater (see Page 20 for details).
Scott said drama has long been a vital outlet.
"I've been doing theater since I was 6," she said.
One aspect of musical acting Scott admitted she's never felt proficient in is dancing.
To her surprise, however, she was named dance captain for the production on top of her responsibilities as a ensemble member.
"I'm in charge of making sure everyone knows what the moves are," she said. "I'll watch and make sure everyone's doing the right thing, so it's kind of fun. It's really cool to do that in addition to acting."
"Mean Girls," based on the 2004 film of the same name, follows the trials and tribulations Cady Heron as she navigates her way through the world of teenage cliques, gossip and the Plastics, the most popular girls of North Shore High.
Scott said the show is geared for teen audiences and older and expects theater-goers to be entertained.
"It's going to be really fun," she said. "We're all having fun up there."
She treasures the friendships she's built through the repertory as well as the way the program operates. Outside of some adult support with directing and set construction, teens are in control.
"It's entirely high school run," she said. "It's all kid actors, and we do props, we do costumes, we help with the set, we do lighting and sound. I've stage managed a couple shows there."
Getting exposure all facets of the theater enables both those on stage and backstage gain a 360-degree appreciation of the work involved in putting on a show.
"I've met so many people that are so nice and so talented," Scott said.
Scott has also participated in drama at Hinsdale Central, including this past year's production of "Urinetown," in which she took great strides in her development as a dancer.
She also competes on the forensics team in the disciplines of radio broadcast and dramatic duet acting. When not performing, Scott often can be found reading.
"This year I'm trying to hit 50 books by the end (of the year). I'm about halfway there, so making good progress," said the fan of young adult dystopian fiction.
Satisfaction, she said, is when a stranger offers a glowing review after a show.
"I just love the feeling of being on stage, having the lights on, looking out and seeing all the people watching, just seeing their faces enjoying what's happening," she said.
