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.
Author's posts
FRED BENJAMIN
- By iforcolor in Choreographer, Dancer
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February 20, 2025
FREDERICK CHARLES BENJAMIN by Dale Ricardo Shields Page 1 – 8 Dancer – Choreographer { September 8, 1944 – December 14, 2013 } Page 1 – 8 Fred Benjamin, an internationally known teacher of jazz dance who was also part of the creative wave of young Black modern-dance choreographers who came to prominence in the 1970s. …
- Adrienne Frimet, Aisha Coley, Alan Weeks, Alfred Gallman, Alvin Ailey, Amparo Chigui Santiago, Amy Henry, Amy Ragsdale, Andy Torres, Arlena Rolant, Ashford and Simpson, Ben Harney, Bobby Kwame Johnson, Brenda Braxton, Brian “Bomani” Benns, Bruce Hawkins, Bryant Baker, Carl Bailey, Carl Fields, Carolyn Campbell, Catherine Foster, Charles “Malik” Lewis, Cheryl Bell, Cheryl Brooks, Cheryl Norvell, Cheryl Scott, Cherylynn Ross, Chet Tames, Chiquita Ross- Glover, Christian Von Howard, Christiana Tober, Christopher Huggins, Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Clayton Palmer, Cornell Ivey, Dale Ricardo Shields, Damon Pearce, Damon Pierce, David Hutuely, Diane Conway, Dianne Conway, Dina Wright, Donald Griffith, Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Eddie Stockton, Edmee Cherdieu Dana Foglia, Elma Lewis, Fred Benjamin, Fred Bratcher, Freda Vanterpool, Friedman-Abeles, Gary Flannery, Geneva Vivino, George Faison, Gina Ellis, Glen Brooks, Glen Simms, Gower Champion, Gregory B Hinton, Gregory Hinton, Gregory Wright, Gwynenn Jones, Henny Kamerman, Henny Kammerman, Israel Valle, J. Jamal Hardeman, Jack Mitchell, Jacob’s Pillow, Jason Mulloy, Jill Williams, Jorge Vasquez, Juan Henderson, Juanita Grace Tyler, Judy Dearing, June Taylor Dancers, Kathy Thomas, Kay Uchishiba, Kim Jones, LaVerne Washington, Leni Wylliams, Leslie Watanabe, Linda James, Lisa Cave, Lisa Larsen, Lonnie McNeill, Loretta Abbott, Lynn Simonson, MacArthur Foundation, Marilyn Banks, Mark P. Rubin, Mark Rubin, Marlon Lewis, Martha Graham, Marvin Tuning, Matthew Williams, Mercie Hinton, Michael Bennett, Michael Peters, Michael Sampson, Michael Vermy, Michelle Murray, Michelle Simmons, Milton Bowser, Milton Myers, New York Public Library, Olon Godare, Pam Jones, Pat Estwick Heaven, Pearl Bailey, Peter Colly, Peter Norman, Ralph Farrington, Ralph Paul Haze, Reggie Jackson, Reginald Jackson, Renee Rose, Rev. J. Anthony Dargan, Ronald Dunham, Ronald McKay, Rosa Curry, Rovan Hill, Roy Blakey, Seiko Fujita, Sharon Brooks, Shirin Stave, Shirin Stave-Matias, Shirley Black-Brown, Stanley Harrison, Talley Beatty, Ted D Williams, Terrence Popular, Terrin Miles, Tetsuo Yoshida, Thea Nerissa Barnes, Thomas Oakman, Traci Cloyd, Tyrone Monroe, Warren Spears, Wendy Mejia, Winston DeWitt Hemsley
The Mammy Archetype: A Black Maiden Syndrome
- By iforcolor in Actress, History, Vaudeville
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February 1, 2025
Media Depictions of the Mammy Archetype by Dale Ricardo Shields “Women of Color were often kept from the polls through a variety of tactics. They faced racial and ethnic discrimination and were often discouraged from voting … These women not only faced discrimination and violence on the basis of their race, but they faced discrimination …
- Abbey Lincoln, Al Jolson, Amanda Randolph, Anna Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, Beau Bridges, Bette Davis, Bob Corley, Butterfly McQueen, Cicely Tyson, Clark Gable, Claudia McNeil, D.W. Griffith, Dale Ricardo Shields, David O. Selznick, Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandrige, Edith Wilson, Estelle Evans, Esther Rolle, Ethel Waters, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Hattie McDaniel, Hess Love, Ida B. Wells, James Weldon Johnson, Jean Harlow, Jennie Lee, John Kenrick, John Wesley Holloway, Kathryn Stockett, Langston Hughes, Lauri Peters, Lillian Randolph, Louis Armstrong, Louise Beavers, Marla Gibbs, Marlon Hurt, Maxine Sullivan, Nan Martin, Nancy Green, Nell Carter, Octavia Spencer, Oprah Winfrey, Otis McDaniel, Rosie Lee Moore Hall, Ruby Dandridge, Sanaa Lathan, Shirley Temple, Sidney Poitier, Sojourner Truth, Theresa Harris, Viola Davis, Virginia Capers, Vivien Leigh, Whoopi Goldberg, William Hanna
Lillias White
LILLIAS WHITE by Dale Ricardo Shields Page 1 – 10 Tony winner Lillias White, is known for her performances in Fela!, The Life, Romance in Hard Times, Cats, Carrie, Once on This Island, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Chicago. Career highlights Lillias White has a distinguished career …
- Alyson Williams, André Robin De Shields, Anika Noni Rose, Arnetia Walker, Audra McDonald, Billy Porter, Blair Underwood, Carol Maillard, Carrie, Cats, Chita Rivera, Chuck Cooper, Cleavant Derricks, Dale Ricardo Shields, Dale Shields, Damon Gupton, David Robertson, Donna McKechnie, Dr. Glory Van Scott, Eartha Robinson, Fela!, George Faison, Georgia Engel, Glynn Turman, Greg Bryan, HADESTOWN, Heather Headley, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Iforcolor.org, James Stovall, JASON DIRDEN, Keith David, Kevyn Morrow, KiKi Shepard, Lamar Richardson Ed Swidey, Lia Chang, Lillias White, Linda Leilani Brown, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Marva Hicks, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Henerson, Maurice Hines Jr, Nija Okoro, Norm Lewis, Once on This Island, Romance in Hard Times, Rosie O'Donnell, Tamara Tunie, The Life, The Wiz, Weyman Thompson
Black Broadway Theatre History ~ Our Moments and Circumstances
Black Broadway Theatre History ~ Our Moments and Circumstances A look at important moments in the History of Black Theatre Created, Researched and Edited by Dale Ricardo Shields BFA – MFA, Ohio …
- A Raisin In The Sun, Adrienne Warren, Andre De Shields, Anthony Ramos, Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Lyles, Audra McDonald, AUGUST WILSON, Aziza Barnes, Ben Vereen, Bert Williams, Beverly Jenkins, Billy Porter, Black Theatre Movement, Brandon Victor Dixon, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Camille A. Brown, Charles Gilpin, Charles Gordone, Charlie Smalls, Cheryl L. West, Chuck Cooper, Cicely Tyson, Cleavon Little, Cynthia Erivo, Dale Ricardo Shields, Dale Shields, Daveed Diggs, Day of Absence, Diahann Carroll, Douglas Lyon, Douglas Turner Ward, Drew Shade, DYLAN PARENT, Ephraim Sykes, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller, Frank Wilson, Geoffrey Holder, George C. Wolfe, George Faison, Gregory Hines, Harlem Renaissance, Harry Belafonte, Irene Gandy, James Earl Jones, James Hewlett, JANICE SIMPSON, Jean Genet, Jennifer Holliday, Jeremy O. Harris, Jeremy Pope, Joseph Papp, Joshua Henry, Juanita Hall, Keenan Scott II, Ken Harper, Kenny Leon, Langston Hughes, Leslie Odom Jr., Leslie Uggams, Lisa Nocella-Pacino, Lloyd Richards, Lorraine Hansberry, Louis Johnson, Lynn Nottage, Marc J. Franklin, Maurice Hines, Melba Moore, Michael R. Jackon, Micki Grant, Miguel Pinero, New Federal Theatre, Noble Sissle, Ntozake Shange, Paul Green, Paul Robeson, Pearl Bailey, Perry Watkins, Porgy and Bess, Raul Julia, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Richard Wesley, Robert Hooks, Robert Nemiroff, Roger Robinson, Rose McClendon, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Savion Glover, Stew Rodewald, Suzan-Lori Parks, Tarell Alvin McCraney, THE AFRICAN GROVE THEATRE, The American Negro Theatre, The Blacks, THE DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM, The Negro Ensemble Company, The Scottsboro Boys, Tom O'Horgan, uzan-Lori Parks, Vinnette Carroll, Walter Dallas, Woodie King Jr.
Arthur Theodore Wilson – Actor, Playwright, Poet, Educator
- By iforcolor in Artist, Educator, Playwright, Poet, THE WORD - Poetry
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June 6, 2024
ARTHUR THEODORE WILSON July 2, 1945 – June 6, 2024 “What color is a friend when you need one?” by Dale Ricardo Shields Published Poet; Playwright; Teacher; and Co-Editor/Publisher of over thirty years of Attitude Magazine. Mr. Wilson was born in Newark, New Jersey at the end of World War II. His early fascination and …