Barry Scott is a renowned multifaceted artist, recognized for his remarkable achievements as an actor, writer, producer, director, motivational speaker, and voice-over artist. As the founder and producing artistic director of the American Negro Playwright Theatre at Tennessee State University, where his parents and grandparents graduated, Scott has established himself as one of the leading theatre artists in his hometown, as well as a prominent figure in national productions, including television shows such as I'll Fly Away and In the Heat of the Night.
A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association, American Film Radio & Television Association, and the Tennessee Arts Commission, Scott has also served on the board of the Tennessee Arts Commission. He is an authority on the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has written and starred in Ain't Got Long to Stay Here, a tribute to Dr. King, to educate a new generation about his remarkable life and legacy.
Scott's portrayal of Dr. King has been widely praised, earning him the admiration of Coretta Scott King, who cornered him between acts of a play to compliment him on his realistic and honest depiction of her late husband. He has performed excerpts of King's speeches at numerous prominent venues, including the Beacon Theater in New York, the Fox Theater in Atlanta, the Seattle Children's Theater, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
As a writer, Scott has penned numerous plays, including Lisa's Story, Harlem Voices, An American Slavery Play, Stones of Promise, Joyful Noise, When I Grow Up I'm Gonna' Get Me Some Big Words, Oh Freedom, A Man Named York, and The Last Negro. His film and television roles have included appearances in I'll Fly Away and Rescue 911, as well as a recurring role as a minister in the successful series In the Heat of the Night.
Scott has also gained recognition for his work as a motivational speaker, lecturer, and orator, delivering his leadership speech Courage To Lead at the prestigious Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. He has created the Living With Theatre program, a forum to discuss important social issues with school-aged children, and has written and directed the video series Stones of Promise, an inspirational teaching tool celebrating the black family for United Methodist Communications.
Throughout his career, Scott has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Ingram Fellowship Award for Theatre, the Partnership in Access and Appreciation Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Ralph Edmondson National Award for Play Writing for Lisa's Story. He has also been recognized for his altruistic work, being named Nashvillian of the Year in 1993 and receiving rave reviews for his performance in the play Looking Over The President's Shoulder directed by Emmy Award-winning actor Robert Guillaume.
In 2005, Scott was named Best Actor by the Nashville Scene Newspaper for his starring role in August Wilson's The Piano Lesson directed by Tony Award-winning producer-director Mr. Woodie King Jr. King commented that "Barry Scott is a brilliant artist. He easily moves from actor to playwright to director. In a unique world of theatre, Barry has mastered each, and he is so giving. He shares his knowledge with younger blacks who want to be a part of the black theatre. He always brings new insights into a rehearsal."
Scott's voice can be heard on commercials and PSA's across the country, having provided voice-over work for ESPN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Disney, SPIKE TV, The Discovery Channel, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, McDonald's, The American Heart Association, and many other prominent brands.
