Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Joree Scorse.
Hi Taylor Joree, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I caught “the bug”, as people say, very young. I started out dancing and singing when I was roughly four, which carried me into musical theatre, and by the time I was ten, I started training in tv/film. Many kids do soccer or Girl Scouts, but I did theatre. My incredible parents did everything they could to support my young passion by carting me around Dallas to different auditions, classes, and networking events. Even though this career is uncertain, they always supported me in my journey. I never once doubted that this is what I wanted to do professionally, so I studied acting in college and got my BFA from Texas State. My love for Shakespeare and clowning was cultivated there and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where I was lucky enough to study at. Post-graduation, I immediately moved to NYC, where I studied with a teacher that changed my life. He revolutionized the way I approached my imagination and artistry. Right before COVID, I moved across the country to Los Angeles. I met an inspiring community of like-minded artists that have challenged me and motivated me to find my voice as an actor and producer. Currently, I am producing two feature films that I am very excited to share to the world!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Kids always think once they graduate college that, the world is theirs to take, and I absolutely fell into that category. I hit the pavement expecting immediate opportunities to come my way, but it was quite the opposite of what I expected. I learned so much through being a struggling actor in New York. Life was hard, adulting was not what I thought it was going to be, and I hard to learn how to juggle all of those new responsibilities. There were many times when I wanted to throw in the towel – I tried many times. Yet, my creative spirit wouldn’t let me go for long. The mundane day jobs lost their luster, and the artist inside of me yearned to take control again. I learned from that time that I was created to be a storyteller. But, of course, the story doesn’t end there, now, does it? The child-like dream of living off my art still beats strongly in my chest. And maybe, one day, there will be the blessing. Yet, I have come to learn that my relationship with my creativity needs to be without expectation, without judgment. Creativity is fragile and can be shy. I love what Elizabeth Gilbert says in her book ‘Big Magic’: I was always willing to work hard so that my creativity could play lightly.” So, I guess what I am saying is the struggles I have faced in years past have helped me create a new perspective on my career and on my artistry. And I am thankful for them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I really enjoy getting people thinking and challenging how they usually think, especially about what’s happening in our culture right now. In my movie ‘Under The Influencer,’ we dig into why social media is important, how it can be bad, and the problem of cyberbullying. We bring up a difficult subject and package it in a fun and colorful way, like a sugary dessert, so people can have a good time with it. Then, things take a turn that really hits them emotionally and mentally. What I love the most is seeing people walk out of the movie theater or a live show and having conversations about what it meant to them and how it made them think about new things. I enjoy doing things differently and going against what’s normal – you could say my Scorpio side comes out in my art when I do that!
Outside of tv/film, I have a huge passion for Shakespeare. I love stretching my heightened language muscles and engaging audiences through his stunning words. There’s something so magical about filling a theatre with his poignant words and robust characters. I had the privilege of getting to perform for student’s A Noise Within last year, and seeing how those students learned from live theatre was inspiring to me as an actor. Many of them had never been to a theatre before and getting to see them take in the language and the energy of live theatre was invigorating. Live theatre was where I began, and it will always be in my bones.
What matters most to you?
Community. Whether that’s friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors, community matters to me most. I have gone through deep seasons of loneliness, personally and professionally. I have also been blessed with abundance in the community. Having people that encompass you, lift you up, and challenge you to be better than you ever thought possible is priceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylorscorse.com
- Instagram: @taylorscorse
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/taylorscorse
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/taylorscorse
Image Credits
Huebner Headshots, Tandem Photo, Lauren Fordinal Photography, still from ‘Under The Influencer’, still from ‘Jurassic Punk’
