Adjunct Professor of Theater Scott Stackhouse is no stranger to the stage.

Ever since high school, he has had a passion for acting and making people laugh. Even today, that passion is still there as he continues to act, direct, coach and choreograph. But now he hopes to continue to highlight and celebrate theater, music and art on Baker’s campus.

“His enthusiasm and professionalism (and) talent is inspiring,” Trilla Lyerla, music and theater department chair, said. “I’m excited to have him on staff.”

Lyerla attributes the success in hiring Stackhouse to Tom Heiman, associate professor of theater and associate chair of the department.

Heiman first heard about Stackhouse at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He spoke with Beate Pettigrew, artistic coordinator at Johnson County Community College, to find out if she knew any good actors to hire as a professor at Baker. Without hesitating,

Pettigrew mentioned Stackhouse. After talking with him for a few minutes, Heiman knew immediately they had the same goals and expectations for the students.

“He’s awesome, he is just awesome,” Heiman said. “He’s very energetic, very skilled and very organized.”

Heiman also got to see some of his coaching skills in action with two Baker alumni, Bob Linebarger and Denver Little. When the two made the semifinals for the Irene Ryan Scholarship competition at that same festival in January, Stackhouse was more than willing to help them out, even spending an hour coaching them.

“I saw a lot of very skilled teaching going on and I was very impressed,” he said. “After that, it was a matter of getting the contract.”

Heiman said he’s really thrilled to have someone with a strong vocal background in order to assist the students work on articulation and alliteration for shows and who is willing to help in whatever way he can.

Lyerla can also see him as a helpful addition to the department.

“I think our program will benefit from his expertise,” Lyerla said. “We’re very fortunate to have him on staff.”

Stackhouse is teaching two classes this semester, Acting I and Voice and Movement, but next semester he will take on directing a musical.

“I’m trying to do a little bit of all of it,” he said.

In addition to working as professor and directing the musical in the spring for Baker, Stackhouse has many other responsibilities outside of Baldwin City. He works as a professor at JCCC and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has done voiceovers for local and regional commercials, and on top of all of that, Stackhouse has a wife and three children.

“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m thinking half the time.”

But Heiman knows being busy is part of an actor’s life.

“That’s how you make a living as an actor,” he said.

While Stackhouse is teaching two Baker classes, he said he would be more than excited if something came up to extend the relationship he now has with Baker University.

“I’m just excited to be at Baker,” Stackhouse said. “I’ve got a good feel so far.”