Venida Evans

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“As James Baldwin so aptly said, “Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it!”

 

 

Venida’s first response to young people wanting to enter showbusiness was “Don’t” 

 

She then said she would remind them that whatever the ride, to remember, “And this too shall pass!”

Those were the days! lol

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Career highlights
  • Television commercials: Evans is widely recognized for her role as “The Muse” in a series of surreal and memorable IKEA commercials that began airing in 2008.
  • Television shows: She has appeared in a variety of shows, including:
    • Daredevil and Luke Cage (as Mrs. Callahan and an Elderly Neighbor, respectively)
    • The Other Two and The Equalizer (2021)
    • Treme (as Mrs. Brooks)
    • Orange Is the New Black
    • Master of None
    • Limitless
  • Films: Some of her notable film roles include:
    • The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
    • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
    • I Origins (2014)
  • Stage acting: Evans has also performed in stage productions, such as the Broadway show Airline Highway in 2015. 
Background and education
  • Upbringing: Though she was born in Ypsilanti, Evans was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from
    Southwestern High School

    .

  • Education and military service: She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and served as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force. 
  • Best-known role: She gained significant recognition starting in 2008 for her role as “The Muse” in a series of surreal and memorable IKEA television commercials.
  • Television work: She has appeared in many TV series, including Treme, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Orange Is the New Black, and The Equalizer.
  • Film roles: Her film credits include The Adjustment Bureau(2011), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), and I Origins (2014).
  • Early life and background: She was born on September 2, 1947, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a graduate of Fisk University and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Broadway Credits
  • Airline Highway: (2015)
  • Ensemble
  • Miss Ruby (Understudy)
  • Amen Corner: (1983)
  • Swing
  • Odessa (Understudy)
The Wiz
[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 1978
Field Mouse
Munchkin
Field Mouse
All rights reserved
© Dale Shields
Iforcolor
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED 

                                                            LINKS 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venida_Evans

http://youtu.be/2ItLB0KcW38

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0263287/

http://thatblackgirlsite.com/blog/pop-culture/mystery-solved-venida-evans-is-the-ikea-lady/.   

https://liachang.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/lia-chang-multimedia-the-river-crosses-rivers-opening-night-photos/ 

 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/sylviaobell/literally-every-person-of-color-who-had-a-speaking-role-on 

 

Photo by Sneakpeek.com/James Alexander

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED 

(c) All Rights Reserved iforcolor.org (Dale Shields)

Pages:

iforcolor

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.