From elementary school skits to the National Theatre School (NTS) in Montreal, St. Thomas University graduate Step Taylor has come a long way throughout the years.
“I played a passed out homeless man in a show about career ambitions,” Taylor said about his theatre beginnings.
But it was during his time at STU when Taylor discovered his passion.
“I saw a poster in James Dunn Hall for Romeo & Juliet auditions. I got the part of Romeo and loved the experience so much that I very swiftly knew theatre was in my life to stay.”
With some experience under his belt and a love for the stage, Taylor has been awarded the Council of the Arts Fredericton Performing Arts Scholarship, valued at $5,000.
Council of the Arts Fredericton presented performances from 1978 until 2006 through its ONSTAGE and KISTAGE programs. The Performing Arts Scholarship was created in June 2007 to continue the council’s support of young people studying performing arts. It’s managed through a designated fund agreement with the Fredericton Community Foundation.
Taylor has been involved in over 60 productions within New Brunswick and said he’s forever grateful for the opportunities that came his way in Fredericton.
“My successful and not-so-successful moments in that theatre community continue to inform everything I write. I’ve worked with some deeply talented New Brunswick theatre artists over the years. Both my first amateur and professional productions happened in the Black Box Theatre, the latter of which went on to be published and eventually helped get me into NTS.”
Taylor has filled many roles in Theatre St. Thomas productions not only as an actor, but as a writer and director as well. He most recently wrote People Are Dumb in 2010 and directed John Barlow’s Twitch in 2010.
“I can’t imagine learning lines for a living. I’ve come to realize that my favorite way to see my stories play out is live, onstage, right in front of my face.”
Taylor said he’s loved writing stories since Grade 4 and playwriting has been more of his focus. After getting his BA at STU, he went on to get a master’s in creative writing from the University of British Columbia.
Taylor is now in his second year of the three-year playwriting program at NTS. The program admits only two students per year.
“The head of the playwriting program Brian Drader is more or less a god. He’s one of these rare people who is actually tailor-made for his job. He reminds me of Ilkay Silk and her role at St. Thomas.”
Taylor said he’s not entirely sure what’s next for him, but he’d love a chance to mentor students in an environment similar to the one he experienced at STU.
“I imagine I’ll work a shit job or two while I try to get my plays done and/or secure teacherly positions. My time with Theatre St. Thomas was some of best fun I’ve ever had, so I’d savour a chance to mentor students in a supportive and creative environment like that. I’ve got a couple of TV pilots written that can’t be any worse than Little Mosque on the Prairie.
“The bottom line is to keep writing important stuff down and make sure it gets done in pretty cool ways. I’m also open to exorbitant fame and wealth.”
