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 Captain
Benjamin Sisko
 Avery Brooks is
Captain Benjamin Sisko, the Starfleet Captain in charge of the Deep Space Nine space
station. Sisko is a single parent to his son, Jake, since his wife was killed in an attack
during the famous encounter with the Borg -- the bloodiest battle ever recorded in
Federation history. Avery commented on being a part of the Star Trek legacy, "Since
its inception, Star Trek has always provided a positive message of life in the
future." He continues, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine provides an
opportunity to reinforce how critical it is to find a way to live together."
Born and raised in Indiana, Avery attended
Oberlin College, Indiana University and later Rutgers University where he was the first
black MFA graduate in acting and directing. His accomplishments were just beginning as
Avery continued to develop into a distinguished and respected actor, director, musician,
and teacher. In 1993, Avery was named Artistic Director of the National Black Arts
Festival. Held biannually since 1988, in Atlanta, Georgia, the internationally renowned
festival celebrates African-American culture and people of African descent.
Prior to joining Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,
Avery performed in the title role in the Phillip Hayes Dean play "Paul Robeson"
to critical acclaim. Since 1982, he has performed the role at the Westwood Playhouse in
Los Angeles, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at the Longacre Theater on
Broadway in 1995. He portrayed Robeson in "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?,"
both on and off-Broadway.
A veteran of numerous theater productions,
Avery played Othello at Washington, D.C.'s Folger Theater, and sang the title role in
Anthony Davis opera, "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X."
Avery has hosted several documentaries
including the award winning, "The Musical Legacy of Roland Hayes." His
television credits include the starring role in the ABC series, "A Man Called
Hawk," and the co-starring role with Robert Urich in the ABC series "Spencer:
For Hire," a role which he reprised in four two hour movies for Lifetime.
Avery has done extensive work with the
Smithsonian Institute's Program in Black American Culture. He was seen in the title role
in the film "Solomon Northup's Odyssey" for PBS' American Playhouse. Avery
earned a Cable ACE Award nomination for his portrayal of Uncle Tom in Showtime's production
of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Since 1972, Avery has been affiliated with
the prestigious Rutgers University where he is a tenured professor of theater at the Mason
Gross School of the Arts. In 1993, Avery was inducted into the Rutgers University Hall of
Distinguished Alumni. He has also taught at Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve
University.
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