Thurman Scott

Thurman Scott
Born
Thurman E. Scott

United States
OccupationsActor, theatre director, acting teacher
Years active1960s–present
Known forFounder 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. 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.

Early life and education

Scott was born in North Carolina about 1952. His father was white, and his mother was black. His paternal grandparents disapproved of the marriage. 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, where he would grow up.

In 1960, he joined the United States Air Force. There he was trained by boxing instructor, Rollie Hackman. Scott became the all-services welterweight champion. Scott was discharged in 1964. He earned a Fullbright scholarship and studied in England at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts. Later, he studied under actress, Stella Adler.

Career

Scott began his professional acting career in 1969. His stage credits include the New York Shakespeare Festival, Open 24 Hours, The David Show, The Blood Knot, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, The Tempest, Becket, and The Bridgehead. Scott won an Obie award as actor for his part in Open 24 Hours.

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. He won an Obie award as director for Soldiers of Freedom.

In 1990, Scott founded the nonprofit theatre company Actors Theatre Workshop in New York City. This organization puts on theatrical productions and runs acting programs and educational initiatives for children and adults, like Builders of the New World. Scott continues to serve as the company's artistic director.

Selected filmography

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

Production Role Notes
Open 24 Hours Number One Off-Broadway production
The David Show Ham (understudy) Off-Broadway
The Blood Knot Leading role National tour
To Be Young, Gifted and Black Leading role National tour
The Tempest Various roles Center Stage
Becket Thomas Becket Special performance at the Moscow Art Theatre
The Bridgehead Tatum Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival (1977)

References

  1. 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 October 27, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Johnson, Malcolm L. (September 30, 1990). "Playwright Congdon captures prize with 'Tales'". Hartford Courant. pp. G5. Retrieved October 27, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 1 2 3 "Actors Theatre Presents... New Faces for '77-78". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. September 18, 1977. pp. H16. Retrieved October 27, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 Schiumo, John (June 26, 2016). "NYer of the Week: Thurman Scott Nurtures Imagination of Young Builders". NY1. Retrieved August 1, 2026.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Thurman Scott". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Our Founder: Thurman E. Scott". The Actors Theatre Workshop. Retrieved August 1, 2026.