did anyone ever give you an answer?

My short answer is that it helps you understand the space around you and make you aware of it, so it gives you a better sense of being in the space and on stage respectively.

The scales have dramatic and emotional content -- they are very expressive, and expand the range for both actors and dancers. When you do them, you can feel it. If you watch someone moving through them who really understands them, you catch you breath.