André De Shields at FAU

Actor, director, choreographer and educator André De Shields will be at Florida Atlantic University on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. with his solo performance "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance." The event will take place in the University Theatre on FAU's Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road, and is free and open to the public.

De Shield's solo performance explores the life and achievements of the great emancipator Frederick Douglass.  "Though Douglass began his life as a slave, through heroic effort, he became one of America's most important and historically influential icons," said De Shields.

De Shields will be at FAU as the Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Performing Arts during the week of Jan. 20. He will work with faculty and students in FAU's School of the Arts over three days, culminating with his public performance.

"André has made tremendous contributions to the arts," said Heather Coltman, dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. "We are thrilled to have him as our distinguished guest to share his talents with our faculty and students, and the community,"

In a career spanning more than 40 years, De Shields has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director, choreographer and educator.  He is the recipient of the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival Living Legend Award and the 2009 AUDELCO Award for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical (Male). In 1975, De Shields was cast in the title role of "The Wiz." Additional Broadway credits include "Ain't Misbehavin," "The Full Monty," "Play On," and "Prymate." His film and television credits include "Extreme Measures," "Sex And The City," "Cosby," and more. He also served as adjunct and distinguished visiting professor at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where he taught Shakespeare and designed an Interdisciplinary Arts Workshop.

In observance of Black Heritage Month 2009, De Shields created his very first solo performance titled "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass To Deliverance." His performance at FAU will kick off FAU's 2014 Black History Month events.

For more information about the De Shields event, call 561-297-2595 or visit www.fau.edu/artsandletters.