Scott Cohen Finds His Stage

JORDAN VENISZEE, Contributing Writer

Scott Cohen never expected theater to change his life. What started as a suggestion from a choir teacher turned into something much bigger. Today, Cohen is the president of The Alchemist, the school’s student theater group, and he says it has helped him find a place where he truly belongs.

Cohen first discovered The Alchemist during his freshman year. He went to see their winter show. After the show, his choir teacher, who was also the musical director, encouraged him to join the spring musical. “I was like, I’ll think about it,” Cohen said. “And after a bunch of convincing, I joined the spring musical, and I fell in love with acting.”

Before joining, Cohen liked singing, but theater introduced him to a new kind of joy. “I fell in love with being a part of theater,” he said. “From then on, I just couldn’t stop being an Alchemist.”

As he continued performing, Cohen became more involved in the group. By his junior year, he ran for president and won. But for him, The Alchemist was about more than shows or leadership. “One of the hardships I faced was finding a place where I could belong,” he said. "That’s what The Alchemist really did for me. It helped me find who I am as a person.”

Cohen says the group gave him comfort and confidence. “It gives you a sense of purpose and a feeling that you have a home,” he said. “It’s somewhere you can be comfortable and do the things that make you happy.”

Now, as president, he encourages others to try new things. “You should just get yourself out there,” he said. “The worst that could happen is you don’t like it, and then you try something new. Eventually, you’ll find something that you love.”