Dale Ricardo SHIELDS

Director, Consultant, and Artist in New York

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, in 2024. Professor Shields was interviewed and included in The HistoryMakers archives (2025).

His professional credits include Director, Stage manager, and Actor (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and Regional). As an actor, he has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Another World, Guiding Light, The Cosby Show, the ITV television series Special Needs, and National commercials and films.

He is a member of the Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the American Guild of Musical Artists performance unions,

Professor Shields began his artistic academic career in New York City at Playwrights Horizon, The South Bronx Action Theatre, MindBuilders, and the teaching staff at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre (New York Shakespeare Festival) for six years. He represented the United States for Theatre Young Audiences at the ASSITEJ Theatre Festival in London, England.

As an actor, he studied acting at The Negro Ensemble Company (Anderson Johnson), The New Federal Theatre (Hal Scott, - Dick Anthony Williams) and The National Improvisational Theatre in New York City. Additional acting workshops with Dorothy Silver (Karamu House) and The Cleveland Playhouse.

He has been a professor and visiting artist at Ohio University, The South Bronx Community Theatre, Karamu House, The Cleveland School of the Arts, The College of Wooster, Denison University, Macalester College, Susquehanna University, The Cleveland Playhouse, and SUNY Potsdam.

B.F.A and M.F.A - Ohio University. [Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society]

“My artistic work purpose is to widen the cultural radius towards imagining that inspiration itself, is a constitutional right afforded to all students and audiences of the Arts, to have world access to the impulse of creativity, unafraid of its beauty, diversity, grace and truth.”

Website(s) -

Research - Iforcolor.org

Career - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Ricardo_Shields [Career]

Education
- Ohio University [BFA - MFA]

What clients say about me

Dale walked past and repeated, “Write what is in your heart.” I took a deep breath and poured out my heart – all of the thoughts and emotions that I had been holding onto so tightly because I was afraid to share them with anyone. I finished... I stared at the words. I had no idea this was in me. It was cathartic to put it all on paper. And then Dale asked us to read our monologues... Now when I hesitate to say something, I think of Dale and know that my voice matters.

Dr. Nicole Brinkmann Reeves -[Former college student]

I have known Professor  Shields work in area theater productions and have visited his excellent classes. I  have  attended his  thought-provoking productions. he is  incredibly passionate, understanding, compassionate, intelligent, engaging, truthful, and persistent. His “real-world  experience” is a major positive component of working with him.  He leads by example, actively striving to cut down barriers and serve as a role model for students.

Dr. Miriam Harris (Professor - Macalester College)

Shields did not expressly set out to become an educator-activist,” “However, his belief in the artist’s responsibility to society resulted in an overwhelming need to represent, serve and uplift the next generation of theatre professionals by actively sharing his extensive artistic knowledge with multiple and diverse audiences. Shields has dedicated his life to preparing, raising up and celebrating the countless young theatrical artists who were fortunate to have been taught and led by him.”

Julio Agustin (Broadway Theatre Artist)

The past two decades I have witnessed Dale’s research across the Internet, information that he freely shares with all who are interested. In an in-depth factual format, he enlightens the public with the history of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous American art forms. I share his drive to educate people on the history and cultural contributions of communities of color. This shared passion exemplifies just one more reason Dale and I have remained friends all these years.

Edan Evans deRoziere (Alumni)

I have known Dale Shields since 1987, when I directed theArts and Education Department for legendary producer,Joseph Papp at The New York Shakespeare Festival inNew York. Even though he was highly recommended by key artists, directors, and choreographers of the New York establishment, it was my observation of his theater and teaching abilities during the Arts and Education Department's Teacher Training that impressed me and endeared me to his style, ease of collaboration, and depthof experience.

Arthur Wilson (NYSF)

Professor Shields is a tough love, no bs, theatre professor who with his expirence and history in theatre uses his knowledge to help you not only better yourself but gives you advice to better your future college education. He gives a ton of information each class and participation is key."

Former Student (Rate My Professor)

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