Adam Barr is an Emmy-winning writer and a graduate of Lewiston High.
LEWISTON – One of Lewiston High School’s most noted alumni will return in June to offer some words of wisdom to the next generation.

And to crack a few jokes.

Adam Barr, an Emmy-winning sitcom writer, will give the keynote address at the June 4 commencement ceremony. Barr will speak to the city’s newest grads exactly 20 years after he collected his own diploma from the school.

“It’s always loomed large in your mind, going to school,” he said from his home in California. “For me to stand up there in front of the school? It’s stunning.”

Born and raised in Lewiston, Barr spent his teenage years on the high school’s speech team, in the debate club, writing for the Academic Advocate and working in community theater.

But when the 38-year-old reminisces about his days at Lewiston High School, it’s the people he remembers best.

“The gifted teachers who took the time to encourage me, talk to me, open the door to a new opportunity,” he said.

Their inspiration followed Barr as he attended Harvard University. His love of the arts, which had been fanned by his high school teachers, led Barr to became a comedy writer in California.

During the 1990s, Barr wrote for the HBO program “Not Necessarily the News” and a handful of other TV shows. In 1998 he began writing and producing a new Thursday night comedy for NBC. His work on the sit-com “Will & Grace” earned him an Emmy two years later.

Through it all, the charismatic Lewiston native kept in touch with his high school pals and former teachers. An old guidance counselor, Jim Larouche, last year offered Barr a new gig: graduation speaker.

“He’s walked the same hallways. In some cases, he’s had the same teachers as these kids,” said Larouche, who retired last year. “He hasn’t forgotten where he came from.”

It was an honor Barr had never considered. Not seriously, anyway.

“I think every wise-ass in his class has his dream of I’ll come back and show you all,'” he said with a chuckle. “Although the attitude behind that has changed.”

Barr was originally asked to speak at last year’s graduation. School officials bumped him in favor of a popular math teacher who planned to retire.

This winter, the class of 2004 asked Barr to be their speaker.

“We’re really excited,” said Nicole Willey, senior class president. “We heard he was witty and a fun guy.”

Barr called the invitation “an absolute honor.”

“Oh my god, it’s a thrill,” he said.

Barr has never spoken at a graduation before – “Not officially, anyway, and not at a podium,” he joked – but he knows what he wants the new graduates to hear.

Lewiston kids can do anything they want.

“There’s always been this kind of esteem issue in Lewiston,” he said. “That mentality of kind of us and them.'”

While in Maine, Barr plans to visit friends and family, including his parents who live in Auburn. He has also volunteered to speak with Lewiston classes.

After the graduation ceremony, Barr will travel to Michigan for film research. He left “Will & Grace” this year to pursue other challenges.
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