We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was an actor for years and traveled all over the world as a performer. The entertainment industry was growing so much in my home state of North Carolina and I wanted to be closer to my family while still working within the industry. I opened Evolution Talent Agency in 2001. Evolution is a full service agency that represent kids starting a four through senior adult actors. We cover performers throughout the southeast. Evoluiton is a way for me to give back to other entertainers. I love to guide them in a way that I never felt I had in my career. Not everyone has an agent that will take the time to get to know them and hold their hand. I wanted to be that agent.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I started my agency 23 years ago, I realized that I needed to offer something unique to stand out. Back then, agencies and castings were very one dimensional in the choices that they had to offer for projects. I wanted to be one of the first agencies in the southeast that offered diversity. Ethnic diversity was not a common practice then and I saw a need within the southeast to offer choices that spoke to everybody. I was told by many casting directors that they always knew they could come to Evolution for diverse choices. I was proud of this and booked many jobs for performers that were turned away by other agencies. Another thing that set us apart is the very reason that I named the company Evolution. We were able to start performers from ground zero to start in the industry. We would mentor and help our talent get representation in other markets as well. For actors in New York and Los Angeles and for Models, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Milan and Paris. I believe that it was our job and opportunity to help our talent evolve to national and international levels. Agencies have faced many challenges over the years including covid, the writers strike and the actors strike but I believe that we have survived it all because we have always strived to remember who we are and where we came from. When people think of Evolution, I want them to think of an agency that did not pass judgement on representing them from a picture and a resume. We meet each person and get a feel for their personality in one online and one in person audition each month. I have met many actors that have amazing resumes that can not act and people that are brand new that became some or our biggest success stories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our agency represent talent all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Some of my favorite places would be the Tupelo Honey Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina. The market in Charleston, South Carolina. The Fox theater in Atlanta, Georgia. The whitewater rafting center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Old Salem in Winston Salem, North Carolina. The Opera House Theater in Wilmington, North Carolina. The south is rich in history, food and entertainment and I would encourage everyone to take advantage so many experiences.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to send a shout out to C&J Casting in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were the first casting director that encouraged me on my journey as an agent. They always believed in my talent and encouraged me in my effort to be an inclusive agency of all types for projects. It is always important for businesses within the industry to support each other. It takes a village in the entertainment industry as well.

Website: https://www.evolutionmt.com

Instagram: evolutiontalentnc

Facebook: Evolution Talent Agency

Image Credits
Tulsa King
Beyond the Gates
Fight Night
Adidas
Discovery Education
Coach
Sista’s
Journey’s Shoes
Instagram
Bojangle’s
Sheetz
The General
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Cone Heath
Georgia Aquarium
Harris Teeter
Food Lion
Caromont Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Mobil Pixel’s
Amazon
Wells Fargo
Our Little Secret
Lion King Tour
Sister Act Tour
Wicked City

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