IT’S NOT COINCIDENTAL, I suppose, that playing the scarecrow was his baptism into the world of professional theatre. It was also the role that I first noticed him in. The year was 1997, and Brian was appearing in a Storybook Land Theatre production of some variation on the Oz theme. He was terrific, as I recall, and I remember thinking it was clever casting. We were lucky to enjoy him in that role, and we’re lucky he’s stayed around these parts to keep stirring up our imaginations.

    These days Brian directs Storybook Land Theatre, a busy, challenging assignment he has happily embraced for the past six summers. When he’s not serving as Artistic Director and writing plays for that outfit he works as the Education Director and technical assistant at Aberdeen Community Theatre. It’s a chaotic life, especially during June, July and August, but Schultz feels fortunate to be earning a living while working in an endeavor that inspires him. “I’m one of the lucky few,” he said, “who can work in theatre and support a family.” Brian is married and he and his wife have two young daughters.

    Brian reluctantly found his calling. Long tempted to try out for high school productions, it was not until the final day of auditions for the final play of his senior year at Sioux Falls Roosevelt that he overcame his jitters and sought a part. After winning a role in a play called “Crossroads” he discovered that he loved acting and hanging out with theatrical types.

    Next stop was Northern State University, an unusual choice for a Sioux Falls high school graduate, but a place he’d discovered as a Boys Stater. “I liked the campus, and I learned they had a good business program,” he explained. As he began his college career, Brian fully intended to study business at NSU and later enter the world of business. “My entire family works in business, and that’s where I figured I’d end up.”

    On a lark he acted in a play at Northern and rediscovered the stage. Although business and marketing remained his major, theatre became his minor. Along the way, in the summer of 1997, he was hired to perform as part of the Storybook Land Theatre troupe.

    Countless productions later, Brian, now 30 years old, qualifies as a genuine stage veteran. His handiwork is evident across the theatre scene in Aberdeen, including as a mentor to young actors.

    Storybook Land Theatre (SLT) starts for Brian in April or May, when he auditions and hires the five people he will direct and act with during a summer season that includes six to eight shows. “The actors we select are typically high school and college students,” he explained. “Plus we do one show each season that includes middle school-age actors, and another show that includes actors from the age of six and older.”

    When the performances begin the routine is demanding. “We put together a new show in a single week,” Brian said. “We start rehearsal on Monday, with our first show the following Sunday.” The one exception to that rigorous schedule is the special show featuring cast members as young as six. That particular show launches the season, and Brian sets aside about 2 weeks to prepare for the performances.
 
    According to Brian, working with younger actors requires that he condense his expectations. “The main things I try to accomplish are for the kids to have fun and to learn basic acting skills like staying open to the audience and projecting their voices. “Although there have been some trying moments for his young students, he’s never had a single youngster “freeze up” on stage.

    While there is nothing funny about a nervous youngster stammering on stage, there have been moments that caused audience and actors at Storybook Land Theatre to laugh together. One time, according to Brian, a confused gopher trotted across the stage during a performance. Another time birds swooped the cast. “We’ve surely faced some interesting situations,’ he recalled, adding stories about a hot sun baking actors in heavy costumes or uncooperative weather. But each time, he added, the show went on without a hitch.

    A tradition at Storybook Land Theatre is presenting productions written specifically for an audience that includes mostly kids and families. Why must original plays be written? Simple, Brian explained. “It’s because so many scripts written for young audiences and families are not very good. There’s bad dialog or ridiculous story lines or bad characters.” Last summer he wrote every play presented at Storybook Land Theatre.

    Not surprisingly, writing plays – even short plays – is arduous work. “It can be tedious,” revealed Brian, about the process of sitting down and typing. “And I work especially hard on writing the transitions in the plays, including the transitions between scenes, even the transitions from moment to moment within a scene.”

    A strength of his writing, according to Brian, is comic timing. “Comic timing,” he said, “comes naturally to me.”

    Brian may possess comic talents, but “funny” doesn’t come close to characterizing the importance of theatre in Aberdeen. Community theatre here is a serious undertaking. It might not be Broadway, but it’s theatre done the right way, with impressive community influence and impacts, and Brian is at the center of much of it.

    Last summer Storybook Land Theatre put on seven different shows for a total of 20 performances. Attendance exceeded 3,500 people. And the acting experiences and other benefits absorbed by the young cast directed by Brian is incalculable.

    David Eckert, of Aberdeen’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry department, oversees Brian’s work at Storybook Land Theatre. He is grateful for the enthusiasm and talent Brian brings to the job. “We’ve had five different directors at the theatre since it opened in 1989, and each one had their strengths. One of Brian’s strengths is his ability to contribute music to the productions. Also, he does a great job of keeping the program running smoothly. I never have to worry about it.”

    Think about the opportunities Storybook Land Theatre provides to many families wanting to share wholesome, enjoyable activities together. And think about youngsters under Brian’s tutoring, learning discipline in preparation for an acting role, summoning courage to speak on stage in front of an audience, and discovering the thrill of expressing themselves. “I tell the kids I work with,” Brian said, “that the skills they learn in theatre will serve them in many ways for the rest of their lives.”

    Brian’s important role in Aberdeen Community Theatre (ACT) must be included when discussing his contributions to theatre in the Hub City. It also should be noted that ACT contracts with the City of Aberdeen to manage and direct Storybook Land Theatre.

     In a typical year, ACT presents five of its own main-stage productions in its beautiful downtown theatre with an average of five performances for each show. More than 10,000 people viewed these plays last year, and more than 300 volunteers, including stage hands, technicians, ushers and actors helped bring those productions to life. ACT’s budget is $230,000 annually, and revenues include box office sales of more than $55,000. This extraordinary organization counts some 2,000 members and contributors, including members from places as far away as Huron, who drive to Aberdeen to support and volunteer for ACT and to attend performances.

    In addition to his other responsibilities at ACT, Brian directs ACT’s Young People’s Theatre, and this group puts on three different productions each year, and each of those productions is performed three times.

    Jim Walker is Brian’s boss at ACT, and he quickly praises Brian when asked about his employee and theatrical colleague. “He’s not only a terrific asset to ACT, he’s a terrific asset to our community.” Walker said Brian is a perfect choice to work with youngsters. “The kids really like him and he is good at engaging them as a teacher and as a friend. The young actors respond well to him.”

    “I wish I’d had the opportunities in theatre that I can give to young people,” Brian said with a smile, before adding: “But theatre involves all ages. It’s been said that a well-rounded society is defined by its cultural experiences. We have a thriving community theatre here, and it’s supported by so many. Our Parks and Recreation department offers outstanding programs, too. There are very few places in the country that offer so much for such a modest fee or for free. I think more people should understand how vital the arts are to a community.”

    We couldn’t agree more. A community’s standard of living and quality of life are indisputably and intimately linked to its cultural and artistic opportunities. Too often, residents and city leaders overlook or take for granted the contributions made by artists such as Brian Schultz.

    But it is clear that Aberdeen’s theatre scene is in capable hands, and Brian is an integral part of that. “I see my work,” said Brian, “as contributing to Aberdeen’s cultural experience.”

    Thanks, Brian, for elevating Aberdeen to a more interesting and more artistically vibrant level. You are playing a major and real role in making our community a better place to live. Bravo. Bravo.

 
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