As artistic director of Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, Scott Michaels wants the theater to be a “place where creativity thrives, community connections deepen, and everyone feels welcome to share in the magic of live performance.” Photos provided by Scott Michaels.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

Scott Michaels

WARSAW — “My love for theater began in high school, when I attended a performing arts high school,” said Scott Michaels, artistic director of the Warsaw-based nonprofit theater, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. “Before planning my move to New York City to chase my Broadway dreams, I aimed to sharpen my audition skills by auditioning for various theaters, including the Wagon Wheel.”

For his Wagon Wheel audition, Michaels prepared a piece that was inspired by his athletic background, as he spend years playing an array of sports, including hockey, tennis, basketball, football and baseball. In his audition piece, Michaels incorporated baseball-themed choreography.

“To my surprise, I received a call offering me not only acting roles but also the chance to choreograph three summer shows,” Michaels gleamed. “I was thrilled and took the opportunity, thinking I’d move to NYC afterward; but, here I am, 30 years later, still at the Wagon Wheel.”

Before officially settling down in the Warsaw-area full time, Michaels had tasted what it was like to live in cities across the country, including Chicago, Tampa, Virginia Beach, Minneapolis, Wichita and Milwaukee.

“My time in Warsaw has been nothing short of incredible,” Michaels assured. “Here, I met my amazing and talented wife, Jennifer Dow, and together we’ve built a beautiful life with our dog, Inara.”

Michaels has been involved with the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts since 1996 as a resident choreographer and accepted the artistic director role in 2008, when his mentor and friend, Roy Hine, passed away unexpectedly.

“I jumped at the chance to honor Roy’s legacy,” Michaels reminisced. “I have been in this role ever since, dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Wagon Wheel alive.”

Michaels’ passion for theatrics started early in his life, as he often has felt “sparked by the magic of storytelling and the unique way live performances connect people.”

“I’ve always been fascinated by the power of theater to evoke emotion, inspire change and bring people together in a shared experience,” Michaels elaborated. “The combination of creativity, collaboration, and the ability to express complex human emotions on stage drew me into this art form, and I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to it.”

As artistic director of Wagon Wheel, Michaels has to balance many spinning plates to bring the productions to life.

“When selecting plays and musicals for our summer season, I consider audience preferences, diversity of programming, and our theater’s artistic vision. I aim for a mix of classic and contemporary works that will hopefully resonate with our audiences,” Michaels explained. “I try to prioritize essential elements, like strong casting and storytelling over glitz and glamour, creatively manage resources by re-purposing sets and costumes, and having a talented staff that can do a lot with very little. We certainly create a lot of magic on very tight budget.”

Michaels has had the privilege to work on some very memorable productions and create some very special memories. Some of his favorite past productions include “Ragtime” for its music and story; “Cats” for its choreography; “Mary Poppins” for its technical difficulty and all- around, on-stage magic; “Tarzan” for the opportunity of working with Disney Theatrical on the world premier of the regional production; “Fiddler on the Roof” for the music and story; and “Peter Pan” for its technical difficulty and magic of flying four actors on stage at the same time. Michaels described the theatrical feat as “jaw-dropping.”

Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is about to enter its’ 70th season this summer. The milestone season boasts a lineup of audience-favorite productions, including “Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat,” “South Pacific,” “Sister Act,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Grease.”

“This milestone allows us to reflect on our rich history while also looking forward to an exciting future. This anniversary season is not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to deepen our connections with the community and inspire a new generation of theater goers and artists,” Michaels exclaimed. “I can’t wait to share this special season with our audiences and create unforgettable memories together.”