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PrintI am Tulsa - Scott Gaffen
House manager of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and member of Tulsa's Young Professionals
If it’s Monday night, there’s only one thing Scott Gaffen will be doing.
“Monday night is always wrestling night,” says Gaffen, house manager of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
It may seem odd for a theater buff to love watching professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, but Gaffen is a man of many interests. After all, he graduated from the University of Tulsa with a double major in musical theatre and accounting.
“I’m one of those artistic types who really do like the left-brain stuff,” he says. “[Now] I get to work in the arts and also get the business and producing and administrative aspects.”
In fact, there’s not much going on inside the PAC that Gaffen – one of two house managers – doesn’t have his hands on. There’s security, heating and air, merchandise sales, janitorial, engineering and anything else that might affect the audience’s enjoyment of the show. Just don’t blame Gaffen for any on-stage difficulties.
“If you don’t like the show, I can’t help you,” he says. “You have to talk to the producers of the shows. But your enjoyment of being in this building, we’re directly in charge of that.”
Gaffen came to the PAC in 2004 after working in the real estate and mortgage markets, though he’d like to emphasize that was “not the reason for the economic disaster.” As he saw the real estate bubble on the verge of bursting, the PAC position opened up. And for someone who had been performing in the building since his time as an undergrad at TU in the mid-90s, it couldn’t have been a better fit.
“I always wanted to be in this building anyway,” he says.
He always loved the stage – no matter if he was being sponge-bathed in a loincloth or saving fellow castmates from falling set pieces – but he says what he’s always loved most about performing are the people.
“There’s nothing in the world, particularly in live theater, like that audience interaction,” he says. “That would be my drug.”
And now, he gets to interact with that audience on an entirely different level. He gets to see the show’s from the audience’s perspective.
What may be surprising is Gaffen’s Tulsa story wouldn’t have happened without – of all things – a hot dog. Born in Skokie, Ill., he moved to Tulsa with his family in 1985 to open the Hot Dog Connection restaurant. Gaffen’s parents decided upon a visit to the city that they were going to bring Chicago-style hot dogs to T-Town. And so they packed up and moved their three kids – Gaffen, his twin brother and young sister – to Tulsa.
It’s been home ever since.
And that’s a good thing for Tulsa. Though his schedule isn’t exactly a 9-to-5 job, Gaffen makes time to participate in Tulsa Young Professionals and often heads TYPros events at the PAC. Beyond that, he’s also become involved in the local film scene. He’s the “only male monkey” at Next Monkey Horror Films, one of the only established film production companies in this side of the state. Next Monkey is owned and operated by two women, but the company’s already produced three feature films with worldwide DVD distribution.
Gaffen’s done significant acting work with Next Monkey, but it’s another recent achievement that leaves him absolutely beaming with pride. He recently became a Certified Volunteer Administrator, a title under 1,000 people hold internationally and only a handful statewide.
“Having someone who is a CVA, it puts our program ... in a much more positive light when people look for that,” he says. “You can’t get any higher than that.”
Becoming a CVA was just one more step for Gaffen, who’s already quite involved in volunteer efforts. Not only does he coordinate over 300 active volunteers at the PAC, but he’s also the 2010 chair for the Community Volunteer Council, which brings together the over 3,000 volunteer organizations, both nonprofit and corporate programs, in the Tulsa area.
These involvements and accomplishments would be enough for most people. But for Gaffen, he can never do enough. He says he loves competition – a trait genetically fostered by being a twin – and he constantly looks to one-up himself.
“I care very deeply about what I do, about the impact that it has, how it’s perceived and hopefully [it’s] in the right ways,” he says.
I am dedicated to Tulsa because Tulsa is home. My immediate family moved from Chicago to Tulsa in 1985 to open up the former Hot Dog Connection restaurant at the then-desolate corner of 71st and Mingo (we closed in 2002). I’m a very proud Union High School and University of Tulsa graduate. My professional career has taken me to Denver and St. Louis, and I keep coming back home to Tulsa. I’ve always found it very telling that so many of my friends and colleagues (all whom “couldn’t wait to get out of Tulsa and Oklahoma”) have come back to Tulsa to open businesses and raise their families. Tulsa is a lot like anything mechanical or electronic: if you treat it with love, it will treat you with love back! I ♥ Tulsa!!
I am a member of Tulsa’s Young Professionals because I believe in the positive power a group of progressive, dedicated, energetic and like-minded people can instill in a community for the betterment of all … and because we are a bunch of happenin’ cool cats who throw some pretty slick social events!
I am passionate about: 1) The arts: The Tulsa metropolitan area is blessed with an abundance of award-winning and renowned professional and community arts organizations dedicated to the local community; a music, film and theatre scene that rivals any in the nation; a deep talent pool committed to the best of artistic growth, and all providing a much underestimated economic and societal impact. You, as the enthusiastic and supporting public, are the lifeblood of an engine that brings in millions of dollars in revenue and job impact annually … please continue to support your favorite local artist/actor/musician/filmmaker and their companies!
2) Volunteerism: Amidst a city budget shortfall and an uncertain political and economic climate, it falls to the people to make the difference. As a volunteer administrator, I’ve seen firsthand how a few dedicated people, with a few hours here and there, can truly incite positive change. No matter what “it” is that motivates you or you’re passionate about, make that next step and volunteer your time and effort. If that entity doesn’t have a volunteer program, demand that they do so you can make a difference today!
I am looking forward to further riverfront development, citywide infrastructure enhancements, and affordable downtown commercial and residential growth. The finalization of the new Master Plan will help guide us over the next thirty (30) years, so it becomes critical to not lose the solid momentum we’ve gained. A recent mayoral candidate said it best: “Say NO to the status quo.” If we do that, Oklahoma City and any other comparable city better watch out for Tulsa!
I am proudest of being a fantastic uncle to my five nieces and one nephew; my parents and siblings (one sister and my fraternal twin brother); my cat, Aries; recently attaining my international credentials as a Certified Volunteer Administrator; The Stitcher; It Came From Over Yonder; the Nick “The Hero” Stein web series; the Hot Dog Connection (1985-2002); Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity; becoming chair of the 2010 Community Volunteer Council; and my collaborations with Next Monkey Horror Films, Volunteer Central of Greater Tulsa, and TYPros.
I am an asset to Tulsa because not only are young professionals the future leadership within the community, they are a foundational driving force in its sustainability and growth. As one of the largest YP organizations in the nation, TYPros will assist in the continual recognition of Tulsa’s excellence while shaping its extremely positive and bright future … and did I mention that we’re pretty cool and our social events rock?
