Scott, Christopher, 1945-2002

Christopher Scott helped found the Ridiculous Theatrical Company with actor/playwright Charles Ludlam in 1967.

Scott met Ludlam at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, Long Island in 1961 when he was a sophomore and Ludlam a senior. After Ludam was expelled from the school's Drama Club, they founded the Student Repertory Theatre in a loft above a liquor store in Northport, Long Island with Scott's mother paying the $25 a month rent.

Charles Ludlam (1943-1987), a satirist, wrote, staged and acted in 29 plays, inventing a completely new comic theater.

His Ridiculous Theatrical Company emerged in the 1960s in a Greenwich Village basement breaking all the conventional rules of the stage. Campy and outrageous, with roots in vaudeville, old movies and gothic novels, and an openly gay sensibility, the theater was a dynamic force in 1970s and 80s New York. Successful works by Ludlam included BLUEBEARD, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, and TURDS IN HELL. Ludlam, who usually appeared in his own plays, both as male characters and in drag, had probably his greatest acting success in the title role in CAMILLE. A recipient of various fellowships and awards, he was also a character actor in film and television and taught and staged productions on college campuses. When he died of AIDS in May 1987, his obituary was on the front page of the New York Times and over a thousand people attended his memorial service. His partner and featured performer, Everett Quinton, kept the Ridiculous Theatrical Company going with new plays and Ludlam revivals until financial problems forced him to disband it in 1996.

Christopher Scott worked in various capacities at the theater, serving as an actor, business manager, publicist and patron during its formative years.

As his background was in the fine arts, he designed sets and publicity for productions, and took publicity photos of the actors. From 1978-1981, he served as executive director of the company, but left after the failure of LOVE'S TANGLED WEB. Aside from the theater, Scott's professional career was as an advisor and consultant to art and cultural agencies such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Commission of Cultural Affairs and to individual artists and designers.

From the description of Christopher Scott papers on the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, 1960-2002. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122407607

Christopher Scott helped found the Ridiculous Theatrical Company with actor/playwright Charles Ludlam in 1967. Scott (1945-2002) met Ludlam at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, Long Island in 1961 when he was a sophomore and Ludlam a senior. After Ludam was expelled from the school's Drama Club, they founded the Student Repertory Theatre in a loft above a liquor store in Northport, Long Island with Scott's mother paying the $25 a month rent.

Charles Ludlam (1943-1987), a satirist, wrote, staged and acted in 29 plays, inventing a completely new comic theater. His Ridiculous Theatrical Company emerged in the 1960s in a Greenwich Village basement breaking all the conventional rules of the stage. Campy and outrageous, with roots in vaudeville, old movies and gothic novels, and an openly gay sensibility, the theater was a dynamic force in 1970s and 80s New York. Successful works by Ludlam included Bluebeard, The Mystery of Irma Vep, and Turds in Hell . Ludlam, who usually appeared in his own plays, both as male characters and in drag, had probably his greatest acting success in the title role in Camille . A recipient of various fellowships and awards, he was also a character actor in film and television and taught and staged productions on college campuses. When he died of AIDS in May 1987, his obituary was on the front page of the New York Times and over a thousand people attended his memorial service. His partner and featured performer, Everett Quinton, kept the Ridiculous Theatrical Company going with new plays and Ludlam revivals until financial problems forced him to disband it in 1996.

Christopher Scott worked in various capacities at the theater, serving as an actor, business manager, publicist and patron during its formative years. As his background was in the fine arts, he designed sets and publicity for productions, and took publicity photos of the actors. From 1978-1981, he served as executive director of the company, but left after the failure of Love's Tangled Web . Aside from the theater, Scott's professional career was as an advisor and consultant to art and cultural agencies such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Commission of Cultural Affairs as well as to individual artists and designers.

From the guide to the Christopher Scott papers on the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, 1960-2002, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)