DALE RICARDO SHIELDS
Artistic Practitioner and Archivist/ Scholar
Theatrical Director, Educator, Historian, and Artistic Activist
Dale Ricardo Shields is a highly accomplished African American actor, director, producer, and educator with a distinguished career in theatre and academia. He is recognized for his profound impact on the lives of his students and his unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting artistic diversity, theatre history and professional artistic culture in Art, Dance, Music and Theatre.
“All blessings begin with giving,
and when you give with a honest purpose, your divine purpose,
all the resources you need to fulfill life will come to you. LIFE IS A CIRCLE. “
Dale Ricardo Shields’s artistic work is driven by an activist and educational purpose, aiming to preserve history, foster empathy, and empower new generations of artists.
He uses his extensive knowledge of theater to “widen the cultural radius” and make creative inspiration accessible to everyone.
Key purposes that define his artistic mission include:
Artistic and educational impact
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Encouraging self-discovery: Through teaching and directing, Shields empowers students to find their own voices. A former student recalls how his assignment to “write what is in your heart” helped her overcome her shyness and understand her own creative worth.
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Fostering inclusivity: He directs student-written productions at universities to bring people of different races, genders, and beliefs together, fostering a sense of community on campus.
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Cultivating creative access: Shields believes that creative inspiration is a “constitutional right” for all audiences and students of the arts. His work aims to ensure that everyone can access and appreciate creativity in its diverse forms.
Inspiration for students: Through his teaching and directing, he encourages students to find their own creative voice. A former student recalled his assignment, “Write what is in your heart,” as a pivotal moment in her own development.
Historical preservation and activism
– Shields founded IForColor.org as a digital archive to preserve the history and cultural contributions of communities of color. He also advocates for African American playwrights and theater as the Cleveland division head for Project1voice.
Social justice and humane empathy
– Seeing art as a powerful tool for understanding, Shields uses his work, including IForColor.org, to inspire reflection and promote empathy.
– Shields’s work has earned him the Paul Robeson Award for his use of theater to advocate for social justice. (Actors Equity Association – Actors Equity Foundation)
Iforcolor.org – 20 years of historical celebration*
– This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
– Matthew 13:13
It’s not your job to like me… It is mine.
Theatrical Director, Educator, Historian, and Artistic Activist
“Shields has created his success, brick by brick with patience and dedication. His consistent effort and steady passion earned him respect and a growing fan base. Over decades Dale’s name has become synonymous with artistic quality and academic reliability. He continues honing his archivist craft, and his fame and respect has follow organically.”
Dale Ricardo Shields is a 2017 winner of The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award®. He is the 2021 winner of the Paul Robeson Award, presented (jointly) by the Actors Equity Association and the Actors Equity Foundation, the 2017 AUDELCO/”VIV” Special Achievement Award, 2017 and 2015 Tony® Award nominee for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 ENCORE AWARD / The Actors Fund. He won the 2022 Legend Award – (alma mater) at Ohio University. Because of Professor Shields’ significance of his life, work, and accomplishments, he will be interviewed and included in The HistoryMakers archives, which are housed permanently in the Library of Congress. for permanent safekeeping, where it will become part of our nation’s prestigious patrimony. (2024)
The Paul Robeson Award (2021). Actors Equity Association / Actors Equity Association. New York City
His extensive professional credits as a Director, Stage manager, and Actor (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and Regional) include various projects and assignments at Lincoln Center (State Theatre), The Henry Street Settlement House (New Federal Theatre), The Negro Ensemble Company, The Joseph Papp Public Theatre (New York Shakespeare Festival) and Karamu House.
He was the assistant director to Lloyd Richards for the New Federal Theatre premiere production of Ossie Davis’ play A Last Dance With Sybil starring Ruby Dee and Earl Hyman at the New Federal Theatre. As an actor he has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Another World, Guiding Light, The Cosby Show, and the ITV television series Special Needs and commercials and film.
Dale is a member of the Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the American Guild of Musical Artists performance unions and an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
BFA and MFA degrees from Ohio University.
For ALL the “Others” Those that crawled and walked so that we ALL could Stand and Ride… Dear Artist… I honor your stories… – I treasure your history “What can be said at all can be said clearly, and whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.” Loudly, I share your histories, stories and hidden figures. ~ PLAY ON! _ WRITE ON! RIGHT ON! – DRS
Archivist, Historian, and Creator of
Iforcolor.org and Black Theatre African American Voices}
Dale was honored to be inducted into the academic fraternity Phi Kappa Phi upon graduation from Ohio University. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi’s international community is a unique blend of students, academicians, and corporate and civic leaders from all fields of endeavor. Membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi means that you are among the very best and brightest that your university has to offer, not just in your chosen field of study, but among all academic disciplines. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. He also was awarded the In Honor of Ancestral Sacrifices award for Upholding the Dream in June of 1994 from Ohio University. He has received numerous other awards and decorations from The South Bronx Community Action Theatre, Denison University’s Center for Black Studies and The Department of Theatre The Office of Black Student Affairs -The Black Students Association –Men of Harambee –The Woman of Diaye of The College of Wooster and Educator of the year awards, to name a few.
Educator
As a University Professor, Shields has received two Outstanding Professor Awards and three Educational Program of the Year awards. In 2015, Shields was nominated for the inaugural “Excellence in Theatre Education Award”. This award is a collaboration between the Tony Award and Carnegie Mellon University. The award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator “who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.”
Shields has taught at Ohio University, The College of Wooster, Denison University, Macalester College, Susquehanna University artist-in-residence, and SUNY Potsdam. He teaches courses in acting, directing, Black theatre history, and stage management.
