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Make ‘Em Laugh!

“Her laugh was beautiful,” said Scott Treadway, “and even though I was only 6 years old, I was addicted from that point on.”

Meet Scott Treadway

Scott Treadway grew up in Tennessee, but he began spending summers in Hendersonville as a child, visiting his aunt Louise. His first introduction to Flat Rock Playhouse was an apprenticeship in 1984. Since then, Scott has performed in more than 145 productions across 40 seasons and directed more than 14 shows. Today, theater patrons scan the program to see which character will benefit from Scott’s quick wit and enthusiasm.

Flat Rock Playhouse traces its roots to a traveling troupe of performers known as the Vagabond Players. In 1952, the troupe purchased a piece of property, and a rented big top tent became the first Flat Rock Playhouse. In 1961, the North Carolina General Assembly designated Flat Rock Playhouse as the State Theatre of North Carolina. The playhouse is now a year-round arts hub for Broadway musicals, comedy, drama and theater for young audiences, as well as the Music on the Rock concert series.

Two women pose for the camera, smiling

Caught the bug young

At only 6 years old, Scott received puppets for Christmas, and began performing shows for his sister, who had severe cerebral palsy. 

“She couldn’t walk or talk, but she could laugh. Her laugh was beautiful, and I was addicted from that point on,” said Scott. As he got a little older, he spent his time waiting for Saturday night at 10 p.m. — ‘The Carol Burnett Show.’ It was through these that he developed his love for comedy and his sense of comedic timing.

“I suppose I just have an ear for comedy,” Scott continued, “and to be honest, I feel most worthwhile, most productive when I make people laugh. It’s a feeling of accomplishment, and it feels like I’m doing something good.

A woman puts things into the trunk of her SUV in front of an old stone house

Reflecting on his acting career

Scott got his start at the Flat Rock Playhouse in the ensemble of many productions, but finally got his first “real role” in 1985 portraying Eugene in ‘Look Homeward, Angel.’ 

“It was and still is one of the most important roles for me,” Scott says. “The playhouse performed the show annually for years. I was given the honor of playing the Thomas Wolfe role in the final production.”

With so many roles under his belt, it’s hard for Scott to choose a favorite role. The ‘Tuna’ shows (a series of comedic plays where 2 actors play all the parts) were some of the most popular, and Scott had a lot of fun acting in them.

“I also really loved ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ a wonderful musical where I played a role called ‘Man in Chair.’ I literally sat in a comfy chair and talked to the audience while the rest of the cast sweated their butts off, but I got to get laughs,” Scott said. “And my recent role of Michael in ‘God of Carnage’ was an absolute blast. It’s really impossible to pick just one favorite.”

What Makes it the State Theater of North Carolina?

Not everyone realizes that The Flat Rock Playhouse creates every show from the ground up: sets, costumes, music, sometimes even the scripts/plays themselves. There is an entire crew that works tirelessly back stage, creating and moving sets to make each performance magical. And the Playhouse’s culture in the live acting world is one of legend — many actors and crew members come back time and again, or even move here, because they know there is something quite special about this theater, and how each show is approached and crafted.

“Theatre is an artform where every production is blessed by each theater’s personal artistic interpretation and approach,” said Scott. “When the entire Playhouse team gets to formulate the role, environment and interpretation, we all feel as if we are building our own unique show.”

Meaning a performance at the Flat Rock Playhouse is truly one-of-a-kind, and won’t be like one you’ve seen at any other theater. 

Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas season show

Scott's Top 5 Hendersonville Suggestions

Big Glassy at the Carl Sandburg Home
What Scott says about it: “You have to hike Big Glassy at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. It’s my favorite spot on God’s earth.

Three Chopt 
What Scott says about it: “Get a ‘sammich’ at Three Chopt in downtown Hendersonville. So good!”

Downtown Hendersonville
What Scott says about it: “I recommend you take a stroll down our glorious Hendersonville Main Street. I just love it
.

Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and Little Rainbow Row
What Scott says about it: “Partake of Rainbow Row in Flat Rock and get the best barbecue anywhere at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse!”

U-Pick Apples
What Scott says about it: “Pick your own apples at one of our wonderful apple orchards.”

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