Scott Gryder

Biography: Scott Gryder is a three-time Emmy Award-winning, professional entertainer in Chicago. Currently performing in the cabaret circuit and at local music venues, Scott specializes in character songs, with musical styles ranging from pop and cabaret to specialty numbers and show tunes; covering the works of local talents like Susan Werner, show music from Sondheim to Kerrigan & Lowdermilk, pop from stars such as Elton John, and many more. Referred to as a belting “super tenor” and a “one-man parade,” Scott blends a musical cocktail of the zingy warbles of vintage Judy Garland with the spirited enthusiasm of the cast of Glee, paired with the poise and show business charisma of Billy Crystal. Critics agree Scott is “tremendously funny” with his improvised audience banter and showmanship alongside his physical comedy. Scott has been seen throughout Chicagoland, with most recent appearances in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish (DMT Productions) the Jeff-Award-winning Buyer & Cellar (Pride Films & Plays), Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place). He has performed in a multitude of cabarets, including SIMPLY SCOTTY (with Nick Sula), WOZ: A Rock Cabaret, and Life Is A Cabaret – The Music & Words of Kander & Ebb, at such venues as Davenport’s, Skokie Theatre, and Auditorium Theatre’s Katten/Landau Studio. In February 2011, Scott joined the cast and creative team of WCIU’s Emmy-winning cast of Green Screen Adventures, a national children’s television show that promotes reading and writing among elementary school students. Many of Scott’s roles were animal characters and puppets. Scott’s debut album Pure Imagination (2011) is available on iTunes and Amazon, featuring his long-time, award-winning musical director Nick Sula. Starting in January 2011, Scott began puppet cabaret performances with a felt family of his own creation. Under the guise of his crafting company, TSGpuppetry, Scott used a blend of patterns and freehand designs to create an assortment of completely handmade, customized character and human hand puppets. Gryder has a B.A. in Theater from Texas Tech University.