Scott Daniel may have a new job title, but he is no stranger to the Highlands Playhouse.
As a performer in the “Scott and Patti Show,” Daniel has graced the Highlands’ stage in the past and he hopes to lean on his experience when he takes over as the Playhouse’s executive director in May.
“I am really looking forward to coming to Highlands again and to get right to work putting the final touches on our 2021 summer season,” Daniel said. “Coming from the Tampa area, there are a great variety of performing arts options here but nothing like the one-stop nature of the Highlands Playhouse.”
Daniel was born in the United Kingdom, performed with The Vienna Boys Choir, graduated from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, and immediately went to work at Royal Caribbean International as both a production director and content creator. He has also worked with Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida and was the senior manager for theatrical production and entertainment for Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Most recently, Daniel has been working as the creative director and production director for Mattocs Productions LLC where he handled the negotiating of contracts, development of budgets and creative oversight.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Scott to Highlands when he relocates from Florida in May,” Highlands Playhouse president Dave Healy said. “We think he will be a great addition to lead our organization.”
Daniel noted that his first order of business has been developing a plan for the post-COVID-19 summer production season in Highlands.
“We have been working together to make sure we have all of our bases covered so that patrons can enjoy the summer season safely,” Daniel said. “From new seating charts for social distancing, to increased cleaning, to potentially limiting time in common areas, we have looked at a variety of options for any number of guests based on the state regulations at the time.”
While show titles are not yet available, Daniel said that visitors to the Highlands Playhouse can expect shows with a “nostalgic feel” in 2021.
He noted that he has already been in contact with Highlands Performing Arts Center executive director Mary Adair Trumbly regarding future performance schedules. The two organizations will share the Highlands Performing Arts Center space once an ongoing renovation and expansion project is completed.
“It’s an exciting time for the performing arts in Highlands and I am really looking forward to working with Mary Adair,” Daniel said. “We will still be two separate organizations, but we have the opportunity to make each other stronger by working for a common goal – promoting the performing arts in Highlands and across the region.”
Daniel said he fell in love with Western North Carolina during a 2019 trip to put on a benefit performance of the Scott and Patti Show at the Highlands Playhouse.
“My partner and I love the mountains, we love hiking and being outdoors, so Highlands is perfect for us,” Daniel said. “To come to such a beautiful town with a built-in audience for the kind of entertainment we are going to provide at the Playhouse is a great fit for me.”