Fri June 12 - 2:30 PM
Moving Beyond Expectations: A Conversation with André De Shields
Free Talks
| 60 MINUTES
This year's theme for Expressions of Black Freedom is Moving Beyond Expectations, and there is no better example of this than the life and career of André De Shields. He is the ultimate multihyphenate with a celebrated career as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer. He has received many accolades, including a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is once again nominated for a Tony Award for his work on the revival musical CATS: A Jellicle Ball. His career spans theater, film, and TV, leaving an impact at every step. A legend who has lived a life not encumbered by expectations. Join us for a conversation with the amazing André De Shields as the centerpiece of this year's Expressions of Black Freedom program.
Panelists
Britton Smith (Moderator)
Britton Smith is a Tony Award–winning artist, advocate, and co-founder of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. Broadway Credits include: Shuffle Along!, After Midnight and Be More Chill. As a creator, His work lives at the intersection of storytelling, music, and social impact, rooted in a commitment to connection and collective responsibility. He is the creator of Return to MAMA, a concert experience and concept album that explores water as a source of memory, identity, and care. The project expands into the MAMA Impact Tour, launching nationally in 2026 to bring performances and community engagement to cities impacted by water inequities. For this work, Britton was named a Hydro20 Honoree (2025). As bandleader of Britton & The Sting, he has performed at venues including The Apollo Theater, Joe’s Pub, and National Sawdust, earning recognition from NPR, Vogue, and The New Yorker among others. He is also the co-creator of the Theater of Change methodology, taught at Columbia Law School, bridging art, advocacy, and civic dialogue. Represented by CAA. @brittonsmithworld
André De Shields
At eighty Earth years, André De Shields has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor/activist, educator, iconic philanthropist and Broadway Deity. As Actor, Mr. De Shields’ mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty. He defines intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As Activist, he endeavors to restore majesty, elegance and literacy to the Black Thespian’s toolbox, to advocate for long term survivors of HIV and AIDS, and to champion the legacy of the Wellderly (elderly individuals who continue to kick butt). His idiosyncratic career has resulted in a treasure trove of accolades, among them an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has founded The André De Shields Fund. His other markers of esteem include being declared the triple crown winner of the 2019 awards season, having garnered Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Grammy Awards for his universally acclaimed role in HADESTOWN as Hermes, messenger to the gods. Perennially renowned for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions –THE WIZ (title role), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Emmy Award), PLAY ON! (Tony nom), and THE FULL MONTY (Tony nom); his portrayal of Old Deuteronomy in the radically re-imagined CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL was rewarded with the 2024 A.U.D.E.L.C.O. Award, the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, the 2025 Dorian Theater Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in an Off-Broadway Production, and the 2025 LGBTQ Theater Trailblazer Award. In addition to special citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle and the Obie Awards, he also received, nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical from the Drama Desk and for Distinguished Performance Award by The Drama League. CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL is currently running on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. Mr. De Shields reigned as The Grand Marshal of the 51st Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, achieving the sui generis reputation as one of the ten wonders of New York City. SAWUBONA! www.goatman.vip
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