When opportunity knocked, Skyler Scott didn't hesitate to answer the door.

Knocking at his door was the opportunity to perform in "Oliver" at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Ill. Scott - who will graduate from Warsaw Community High School in Spring 2006 - plays a thief and is in the ensemble. But it's the opportunity to perform in the theater with such professionals, including choreographer and director David Bell, that excites him most about it.

Getting the role came as a surprise, Scott said during a telephone interview Thursday night from Illinois.

He was browsing the Web last year when he saw an open call for auditions in Chicago. He went and sang for about two minutes.

"I thought I was just awful," Scott said. But he said he went to the auditions for the experience before going to college. He learned "a ton" about himself and his nerves.

Six months later, just before rehearsals for WCHS's production of "Carousel" began, in which Scott starred as Billy, Scott got a call back. "I was just shocked. I thought, 'just go in and do my best.'"

He went to the call back and had to sing and dance. Bell was there and singled Scott out as doing a good job. Scott said that made him feel good. Two days later, Scott got his role in "Oliver."

"Very few people get to work there," said Scott.

During rehearsals and production of "Oliver," Scott is staying with an uncle. Even so, the drive to rehearsals takes an hour. To be a part of the production, Scott also had to withdraw from school for the second semester, but will return for the third session to graduate on time.

"Everything worked out," said Scott. The Marriott also worked around Scott's rehearsal and the performance schedule of "Carousel."

"It's just the best environment up here," Scott said. "It's surreal."

Besides seeing Scott on the WCHS stage for years, audiences may remember him from the Wagon Wheel Theatre. Asked to compare the WWT to the Marriott Theatre, Scott said, "The level of intensity is above and beyond the Wagon Wheel Theatre, but I think that's the environment."

The Marriott Theatre is unionized, which means harder work and longer days. There's more pressure to perform, but the actors don't also have to serve as the crew. "It's great because you don't have to do (any crew labor)," Scott said.

Also different from the WWT, Scott said, is that "Oliver" will run for three months, while a WWT show only runs two weeks. "It's just a much longer time period as well," he said.

But Scott still loves the WWT and hopes Director Roy Hine will have some work for him at the theater next summer. He said WWT's 2006 summer season will be a great one.

While performing in "Oliver," Scott said he will earn points toward Equity union membership. To become Equity, an actor has to work 50 weeks and receives one point per week. After all 50 points are earned, a $100 membership fee is paid to join. Once an actor is Equity, they can negotiate their contract.

"To work in this business," said Scott, "it seems you have to be Equity."

"Oliver" is at the Marriott from Dec. 1 to Feb. 12. Scott said tickets are going fast and he said he believed the first two to three weeks already are sold out.

"I just never thought I'd be here," he said. "... It's just too much fun. Hopefully, it can just get better.

"I'm just putting my foot in the door," Scott said.

For more information about show dates, times and tickets, visit online at marriotttheatre.com [[In-content Ad]]