Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott.
Scott, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been drawn to the performing arts for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is watching a school production of Dracula at Lincoln Titus Elementary in Upstate New York. It looked thrilling, and I wanted so badly to be part of it. When I learned there wouldn’t be more shows that year, I started making my own with my sister and cousin—lip-syncing to Disney songs and ’90s hits, directing our little performances, and discovering how natural creativity felt to me.
It was also around this time that I began to sense I was different from the other kids. I remember looking at an older boy at school and feeling butterflies I didn’t understand. Eventually, a girl called me “gay,” and when I connected that word with what society—and even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which I grew up in—said about it, I felt ashamed. I pushed those feelings down and poured myself into filmmaking after my aunt gave me my first camera. My first attempt was a film called The Forbidden, inspired by my love of Alfred Hitchcock.
When I moved to Florida, the arts truly opened up for me. Mrs. Val Bungart introduced me to TV production at Galaxy Middle School, teaching me how to perform for the camera. Later, at Pine Ridge High School, my drama teacher, Sally Daykin, helped me grow as an actor and gave me a stage where I could freely create. Both teachers made a lasting impact on my life, and I’m grateful to still be in touch with them today.
Before graduating, I created a short film called Rest in Peace, about a family dealing with a haunted house. It was accepted into two film festivals—an accomplishment that gave me more opportunities. After high school, I dove into background acting, appearing as a zombie in Automaton Transfusion, a club patron in Never Back Down, an assistant director in Beethoven’s Big Break, and a terrified race-car fan in Final Destination 4.
But despite my creative successes, I still struggled deeply with my sexuality. Those feelings intensified as I prepared for a two-year mission for my church. Eventually, I felt a strong prompting to speak to my bishop and my mother. Opening up led me to therapy, as well as the church’s addiction recovery program, where I worked through emotional wounds I had carried for years. After five years of personal work and spiritual growth, I finally left for my mission—and it was worth the wait.
From 2010 to 2012, I served in the Colorado Denver North Mission. My acting background helped me handle rejection, communicate with people, and truly listen. Because of my own experiences in recovery, I was able to support others—including fellow missionaries—who needed a safe place to talk.
When I returned home, I jumped back into acting. I performed in The 39 Steps at the Athens Theatre, worked on student films with Full Sail University, UCF, and Valencia College, and later signed with BMG Talent, which opened the door to commercials and more background work. I also made three more short films, all accepted into the Flagler Film Festival.
Even with all this growth, I still hadn’t fully come to terms with my identity. But everything shifted after I moved to the Bronx and heard about the Pulse Nightclub shooting. That tragedy made me feel a deep responsibility to support my LGBTQ+ community. Not long after, I returned to Florida to care for my grandmother as she developed Alzheimer’s and worked on two more short films. During that time, I finally found the courage to accept who I was. After she passed, my friend Glen Carlson introduced me to PFLAG Orlando, where I discovered a strong community of support.
On June 1st, 2021, I publicly came out and committed myself to helping others. I joined DeLand Pride and volunteered my filming skills to promote their work. I marched to oppose legislation targeting drag performers and traveled to Pride at the Capitol to advocate for gender-affirming care for youth.
Then the DeLand Pride Pageant appeared on my radar. Everyone competed under their drag names, and it reminded me of a character I had once created on YouTube—Theater Guy, my movie-review persona. I hadn’t made a video since my grandmother’s passing, and it felt like the right moment to bring him back. I designed a floral formal-wear look, created a DeLand-themed outfit inspired by Cliff’s Bookstore, answered a judge’s question about supporting young aspiring drag performers, and performed a piece sharing my mission and journey of self-acceptance.
Somehow… I won Mr. DeLand Pride.
From that moment forward, my involvement in the community only grew. DeLand Pride eventually expanded into Volusia Pride, and I helped launch a new local chapter of PFLAG DeLand/Volusia to bring support meetings closer to home. I joined The Umbrella Brigade, a nonprofit working to connect people with food, clothing, and essential resources. And with a passionate group of volunteers, we started Deltona Pride, kicking things off with our Proclamation of Love event—a vibrant celebration of diversity and unity.
I also host Rainbow Cinema Club every second Friday at the Volusia Pride Community Space, where we screen queer films, spark meaningful conversations, and share a sense of belonging.
Although I remain a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’m committed to bridging the gap between my faith and my LGBTQ+ identity. That’s why I host Volusia Gatherings, a monthly meeting where LGBTQ+ members and allies from the church come together to talk about compassion, understanding, and living more Christlike lives.
Meanwhile, Theater Guy has returned full-time. Every week, he pops up on social media—sharing positive messages, spoofing upcoming films or shows, and highlighting major community events. Right now, I’m finishing my “27 Things I’m Thankful For” challenge, celebrating gratitude one day at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has taken many turns, but each one has brought me closer to who I truly am—an artist, an advocate, a believer in community, and someone committed to lifting others through creativity and compassion. There were moments when I felt I had to choose between my faith and being openly gay, but over time I realized that I could embrace both parts of myself.
I also struggled with suicidal thoughts, and I’m grateful every day for the family and friends who stood by me and helped me through it.
When I publicly came out, not everyone responded with kindness. Some people made hurtful comments and accused me of being blasphemous.
Even within my church, some individuals felt I shouldn’t serve as a Ward Mission Leader because of my sexual orientation. But my leaders supported me fully. They encouraged me to continue serving, reminded me of my worth, and affirmed that I was exactly where I needed to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
There is so much! I work as a filmmaker, performer, and community advocate, and my passion lies in using storytelling to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. I specialize in creating videos, short films, and creative content that highlight queer voices, promote inclusivity, and bring awareness to issues affecting our community. I’m also known for my drag persona, Theater Guy, who blends humor, film commentary, and positivity to connect with audiences in a fun, relatable way.
Outside of the arts, I’m actively involved in LGBTQ+ outreach across Central Florida. I help support organizations like Volusia Pride, PFLAG DeLand/Volusia, The Umbrella Brigade, and Deltona Pride. I host the Rainbow Cinema Club, lead community discussions, and work to bridge understanding between LGBTQ+ individuals and people of faith.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve learned to live authentically—and help others feel safe to do the same. Whether it’s through my advocacy, my creative projects, or my work in the church community, I aim to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued.
What sets me apart is my combination of lived experience, artistic perspective, and commitment to service. I bring together filmmaking, performance, community outreach, and faith in a way that allows me to connect with people of different backgrounds. My goal is always the same: to use creativity and compassion to make a positive difference.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Oh wow! Well, I’ve learned that risk-taking is less about doing something dangerous and more about stepping into who you truly are, even when it feels scary. For me, the biggest risks were stepping out of my comfort zone. Also, being honest about my identity, my values, and the kind of work I feel called to do are other forms of risk-taking.
The biggie in risk-taking was publicly coming out. I knew it would be met with mixed reactions, especially within my faith community. I worried about losing relationships, opportunities, and even my place in the church. And in some ways, those fears came true—some people questioned my character, my faith, and whether I should serve in leadership positions. But choosing authenticity was still the most important and meaningful decision I’ve ever made. It opened the door to deeper connections, unexpected support, and a much stronger sense of purpose.
Stepping into advocacy was another risk. Walking at marches, meeting with legislators, speaking to legislation, helping create Pride events, and becoming a visible part of LGBTQ+ outreach in my area are big parts of my journey.
As an artist, I also take risks by putting my creativity out into the world—whether it’s filmmaking, performing as Theater Guy, or taking on community projects that challenge me in new ways. Every time I try something new, I’m risking failure, but I’m also opening the door to growth. If there’s a performance that has something off, I keep going.
I don’t think of myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe in taking meaningful risks—the kind rooted in authenticity, compassion, and purpose. Those are the risks that have shaped my life the most, and they’re the ones I hope to keep taking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scottmena.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottymena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottmenaactor?ref=bookmarks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzP0LlruGbK-5cRkgnB-jfw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetheaterguy
