ARCHIVIST, EDUCATOR, HISTORIAN, and ARTiST Dale Ricardo Shields is highly accomplished African American actor, director, producer, and educator with a distinguished career in theatre and academia. Here's a summary of his background and achievements: Early Life and Family: Born on November 4, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio. His family has a strong musical background; his grandfather and father were founding members of the Shields Brothers Gospel Quartet of Ohio, and his mother was part of the Turner Gospel Singers. He is a cousin of boxing promoter Don King. Education: Graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1970. Holds both a BFA (1975) and MFA (1995) from Ohio University. Career and Contributions Theatre Professional: Actor: Has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and in regional productions. His television credits include The Cosby Show, Another World, Guiding Light, Saturday Night Live, and the ITV series Special Needs. He has also appeared in commercials and films. Director and Stage Manager: Has extensive professional credits in these roles, including projects at Lincoln Center, The Henry Street Settlement House (New Federal Theatre), The Negro Ensemble Company, and The Joseph Papp Public Theatre. Assistant Director: Served as assistant to Lloyd Richards and assistant director for the New Federal Theatre premiere of Ossie Davis's play A Last Dance With Sybil starring Ruby Dee and Earl Hyman. Educator: Professor: He is a Professor of Acting, Directing, Black Theatre, Black Studies, and Stage Management. He has taught at various institutions, including Ohio University, The College of Wooster, Denison University, Macalester College, Susquehanna University (as artist-in-residence), and SUNY Potsdam. Workshops and Programs: Conducted workshops for Joseph Papp's Playwriting in the Schools Program (PITS) at The Public Theatre for six seasons and represented the United States at the ASSITEJ Theatre Festival in London, England, in 1988. Artistic Activist and Historian: Iforcolor.org: Creator and archivist for the Black History website Iforcolor.org, dedicated to preserving and sharing information about African Americans and artists of color. He also maintains the "Black Theatre/African American Voices" website on Facebook. Project1VOICE Liaison: Serves as the Project1VOICE Liaison for the state of Ohio, directing "One Play One Day" events in Cleveland since 2011. Awards and Recognition: The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award: Recipient in 2017. Paul Robeson Award: Recipient in 2021 (jointly presented by the Actors' Equity Association and Actors' Equity Foundation). AUDELCO/"VIV" Special Achievement Award: Received in 2017. Tony Award Nominee: Nominated for the "Excellence in Theatre Education Award" in 2015 and 2017. Ebony Bobcat Network (EBN) Legend Award: Received from Ohio University in 2022. ENCORE AWARD / The Actors Fund: Received in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Outstanding Professor Awards: Has received two of these and three "Educational Program of the Year" awards as a university professor. The HistoryMakers archives: Interviewed and included in The HistoryMakers archives, permanently housed in the Library of Congress. Dale Ricardo Shields is recognized for his profound impact on the lives of his students and his unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Black theatre history and culture.
Dale Ricardo Shields
New York City
Author's posts
Marcus Garvey: From Jamaican Peasant To Potent Black World Leader By Stacy St. Hilaire
Marcus Garvey: From Jamaican Peasant To Potent Black World Leader ~~~ by Stacy St. Hilaire Edited by Dale Shields “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Marcus Garvey Marcus Garvey is one of the most influential Black men of all time. He emerged in …
Carla Earle
Carla Earle By Dale Ricardo Shields “I stopped telling God about my problems and started to tell my problems about God.” “Make your vision so clear that your fears become irrelevant.” ~ Creative Director, Choreographer, Dancer and Stunt woman~ “My life is way too peaceful at this very moment and if yours isn’t, I’ll pray for …
Stanley Wayne Mathis
Stanley Wayne Mathis by Dale Ricardo Shields “I read somewhere many years ago while working on the West Coast (The Jelly’s Last Jam workshop at The Mark Taper Forum) “Fame is what others give you. Success is what you give yourself.” – Stanley Wayne Mathis Stanley Wayne Mathis has directed and …
Valerie Capers
Dr. Valerie Capers David Katzenstein (Photo) Dr. Valerie Capers was born in the Bronx and received her early schooling at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind. She graduated as the class of 1953 valedictorian. She was the first blind graduate of The Juilliard School. She obtained both her bachelor’s …
Dyane Harvey-Salaam
Dyane Harvey-Salaam by DALE RICARDO SHIELDS Page 1 – 8 Dyane Harvey-Salaam is a virtuoso performing artist, a founding member of Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, actress, dancer, educator, choreographer, and certified Pilates teacher. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Drama/Educator and works in the entertainment industry. “I am on a high like …