Baritone
André De Shields is a virtuosic performer and director whose five-decade career has established him as one of Broadway's most versatile and intellectually rigorous artists, equally commanding in classical drama, musical theatre, and experimental work.
Defining moments and milestones
André De Shields began his career in the experimental and off-Broadway theatre of the 1970s, establishing himself as a performer of intellectual depth and physical sophistication. Over five decades, he has built a career of remarkable breadth, moving fluidly between Shakespearean roles, contemporary drama, and musical theatre, while simultaneously developing a practice as a director and choreographer. His 2018 performance as Hermes in the Broadway revival of The Wiz—a role he originated in the 1975 production—crystallized his status as a living legend of American theatre, earning him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play at age 73.
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for The Wiz (2019)
New York University
Recordings featuring André De Shields in the Society index
Additional recordings will appear here as the catalog expands.