// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Thurman Scott? Scott-free, that's who.
Thurman Scott | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thurman E. Scott United States |
| Occupations | Actor, theatre director, acting teacher |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Known for | Founder and artistic director of The Actors Theatre Workshop |
Thurman E. Scott is an American actor, director, and producer. He is the founder and artistic director of the Actors Theatre Workshop, a New York City theatre company. He was artistic director with the National Black Theater.[1] Scott won an Obie Award as actor for his role in Open 24 Hours and an Obie for director of the play Soldiers of Freedom.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Scott was born in North Carolina[3] about 1952.[4] His father was white, and his mother was black. His paternal grandparents disapproved of the marriage.[3] Scott was raised by his maternal grandparents in North Carolina until he was 12, when he went to live in Philadelphia with his mother and stepfather,[3] where he would grow up.[1]
In 1960, he joined the United States Air Force.[1] There he was trained by boxing instructor, Rollie Hackman. Scott became the all-services welterweight champion.[5][1][4] Scott was discharged in 1964.[1] He earned a Fullbright scholarship and studied in England[1] at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts.[4] Later, he studied under actress, Stella Adler.[4]
Career
[edit]Scott began his professional acting career in 1969.[1] His stage credits include the New York Shakespeare Festival,[3] Open 24 Hours,[3] The David Show, The Blood Knot, To Be Young, Gifted and Black,[3] The Tempest,[5] Becket, and The Bridgehead. Scott won an Obie award as actor for his part in Open 24 Hours.[3][4]
Scott also appeared in feature films and television, including on the soap opera One Life to Live.
Scott also became artistic director with the National Black Theater.[1][5] He won an Obie award as director for Soldiers of Freedom.[2]
In 1990, Scott founded the nonprofit theatre company Actors Theatre Workshop in New York City.[6] This organization puts on theatrical productions and runs acting programs and educational initiatives for children and adults, like Builders of the New World.[6][4] Scott continues to serve as the company's artistic director.
Selected filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Incident | — | Feature film |
| 1968 | The Paper Lion | — | Feature film |
| 1968 | One Life to Live | Dr. Price Trainor | Television series (2 episodes) |
| 1971 | Love Is a Many Splendored Thing | Judd Washington | Television series |
| 1972 | Across 110th Street | Doc's Guard | Feature film |
| 1973 | The Werewolf of Washington | Hippie | Credited as Thurmon Scott |
| 1974 | Three Tough Guys | Tony | Feature film |
| 1975 | The American Parade | Frederick Douglass | Television miniseries |
| 1979 | Voices | Patterson | Feature film< |
Selected stage credits
[edit]| Production | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open 24 Hours | Number One | Off-Broadway production[n 1] |
| The David Show | Ham (understudy) | Off-Broadway[n 2] |
| The Blood Knot | Leading role | National tour[n 2] |
| To Be Young, Gifted and Black | Leading role | National tour[n 2] |
| The Tempest | Various roles | Center Stage[n 2] |
| Becket | Thomas Becket | Special performance at the Moscow Art Theatre[n 2] |
| The Bridgehead | Tatum | Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival (1977)[n 2] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Reed, Billy (November 16, 1977). "Great Scott! Skills of Theater, Ring Can Dwell Together". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. pp. C1, C6. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Johnson, Malcolm L. (September 30, 1990). "Playwright Congdon captures prize with 'Tales'". Hartford Courant. pp. G5. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Haberman, Clyde (August 16, 2000). "Public Lives; An Actor's Schedule Leaves No Time to Star". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fostering Kids' Imaginations: Former Boxer Turned Actor Encourages Homeless Children". New York Daily News. March 3, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Actors Theatre Presents... New Faces for '77-78". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. September 18, 1977. pp. H16. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Schiumo, John (June 26, 2016). "NYer of the Week: Thurman Scott Nurtures Imagination of Young Builders". NY1. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
Notes
[edit]- ↑ "Thurman Scott". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Our Founder: Thurman E. Scott". The Actors Theatre Workshop. Retrieved August 1, 2026.