SCOUT DURWOOD

SCOUT DURWOOD

Scout Durwood is a multifaceted artist who’s carved a niche in L.A.’s entertainment industry. Durwood began her career as a cabaret singer in New York City, but performing was always in her bones. She grew up a theater kid and embraced cabaret through the queer nightlife scene. Cabaret soon led to comedy, including standup and a number of comedic acting roles. Today she’s a creator in every sense of the word: She regularly records as a vocalist, composes music, writes screenplays, acts on major television networks, and tours nationally with her standup routine.

Durwood’s debut studio album Take One Thing Off, released under Blue Élan Records in 2017, along with a twenty-two-episode digital series of the same name. Durwood composed original music for the album and wrote and directed the accompanying series. The project received significant acclaim: After amassing 275K views on YouTube, the series was nominated for Best Indie Series at the 2019 Streamy Awards. Her feature-length visual album, Youtopia, premiered at Outfest in 2022, where it was the runner-up for Best North American Feature. “After ‘Youtopia,’ I’m still pretty deeply focused on writing. I want to dig deeper with both writing and directing,” Durwood shared. Youtopia’s public debut is set for February 21, 2023, after which it will be available for purchase and streaming. The artist is also working on a one-woman show rendition of Youtopia’s music in the style of classic cabaret.

Durwood’s music and films are not the only things taking off — her comedy career continues to gather momentum. In 2015, Durwood was featured on Oxygen’s Funny Girls, a docuseries following the lives of six L.A.-based standup comedians. The following year she played a leading role in MTV’s scripted comedy series Mary + Jane. In 2018, Durwood’s standup special debuted on the Epix series Unprotected Sets. Now, with COVID-19 restrictions lifting, Durwood is back on the standup live circuit. She also continues performing as a part of the musical comedy duo, Scout+Avery, with collaborator Avery Pearson. “Scout ‘plus sign’ Avery. No spaces,” she explains. “He's very particular about that. He says there's no space between us. We’re certainly an odd couple. I love it.”

Today Durwood’s got more in the works, including a half-hour comedy series in development with Sony Entertainment and Gabrielle Union’s production company, I’ll Have Another. Cheryl Dunye is currently attached to direct. Durwood also has more music on the horizon. “I have to sing like a mermaid has to get wet every once in a while. I have to sing; otherwise, my brain and my soul dry up. So I don't think I'll ever stop,” she asserts. Durwood was the featured vocalist on the first-ever release from the Kirk Pasich Project in December 2022. The concept EP One Woman Army showcases Durwood’s versatility, keeping fans on the edge of their seats to see where the artist will turn her talents next.