Whether he’s portraying Terrell Owens in a Super Bowl commercial or depicting Shakespeare’s Othello in a North Lake Theatre play, Bryan Pitts gives his all
Photo by Dawn
Bryan Pitts’ Stage Experience
As You Like It Water Tower Theatre
365 Days/365 Plays Dallas Theater Center
Alicia in Wonder Tierra Cara Mia Theatre
Stuck Ebony Emerald Theater
Twelfth Night Theater Fusion
Cabin in the Sky Lyric Stage
Summer Evening in Des Moines Second Thought Theatre
Raw Vision Kitchen Dog Theater
Streetcar and Other Desires Ebony Emerald Theater
Streetcar Named Desire North Lake College
The Comedy of Errors Shakespeare of Dallas
America Hurrah University of North Texas
Gunfighter: Gulf War Chronicle North Lake College
Grease North Lake College
The Crucible North Lake College
Film/Television
Home Grown
Room 150
Why Do I Look Like My Father?
Inspector Mom (Lifetime)
The Wrong Hit
Snared Rapid
Trance
Rain
Containment
Former North Lake College student Bryan Pitts has a day job working with computers, but appeared in a Super Bowl commercial this year and continued to turn his acting dreams into reality.
Pitts remains popular at North Lake, where he enrolled about a decade ago at his parents’ urging.
At that time, Pitts didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life, and his degree plan was ‘undecided.’ But he took an acting class to fill his school schedule. The filler, however, soon developed into a calling.
While under the guidance of his teacher and theater director, Alice Butler, and technical director Mike McKee, Pitts developed a stage presence that won him many roles.
His first was that of the Rev. Hale in North Lake’s 1998 production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
“Pitts had an incredible voice and used great articulation of the English language,” Butler recalled. “He read very well.”
He worked hard on the script and practiced his lines often.
“Even though the script was very challenging, the experience and the response I received were great,” Pitts said recently.
Pitts has gone on to do several commercials and countless plays in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. One of his commercials was shown locally during this year’s Super Bowl and could be viewed online for Crest Cadillac, where he portrayed a crying Terrell Owens.
But Pitts is no crybaby.
With an agent by his side, Pitts plans to take his talents to Hollywood and make it big. He has a healthy work ethic and strongly believes reliability is the greatest asset a person can exhibit.
North Lake’s McKee has nothing but positive things to say when discussing Pitt.
“Bryan’s a hard worker,” said McKee. “He’s willing to work until he gets it right. He was willing to work hard for us, so we were willing to work hard with him.”
Being away from North Lake for nearly nine years hasn’t kept Pitts from maintaining contact with his former teachers, updating them often about one success or another.
His success has rubbed off on fellow students, too.
North Lake theater student Michael Whitfield recalled his first impressions of Pitts.
“I remember us being the only black guys in theater,” Whitfield joked. “After seeing him perform, Bryan gave me inspiration to pursue my dreams, too.”
So, what inspires Pitts?
Pitts mentioned only his family and religion.
“I don’t want to be famous,” Pitts said. “I care more about being financially stable and respected for my work.”
A man of many talents, Pitts is employed with the Irving school district. He started out as a substitute teacher, leading classes in everything from English to physical education. Now, he serves the district as a computer technician.
Unlike most actors, Pitts plans to work in Irving and save his money before relocating.
Pitts said he isn’t star struck, but expressed great desire to work with big-name actors and actresses in the industry.
“I would like to work alongside fellow Texan Jamie Foxx,” Pitts said. “I think he’s very talented.”
He accomplishes his goals one step at a time.
On August 3, 2002, Pitts met and was photographed with famed actor James Earl Jones, whose powerful voice has been heard on stage and screen in such roles as Jack Johnson, Darth Vader and the kind writer in Field of Dreams.
Jones was at North Lake to celebrate the opening of the Library, when Pitts was performing as Othello in “Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits.”
"I didn’t have time to think about what I was going to say,” recalled Pitts. “It all happened so fast ... so I knew I couldn’t go wrong with a simple ‘Hello.’”
Today, the sociology major always seems quick-witted and socially prepared.
Butler has the same impression.
“Bryan made it easier for me,” Butler said. “He would say things that needed to be said, and the other students respected his opinion.”
Highly talented and well respected, Pitts remains single.
“I would like to have a family one day, but I must get married first.”
These days, you may run into Pitts at one of the live theaters where he continues to perfect his craft.
He’s keeping his eyes on the big screen, though, and his friends and teachers say you may see him there someday.