Broadway-Bound Gotta Dance Star André De Shields Honored at DePaul University

The legendary stage actor received the school’s 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts.

André De Shields accepts the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts at DePaul University.
André De Shields accepts the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts at DePaul University.
(© Lia Chang)

Two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner André De Shields was honored last evening by the Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago with the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts. The 27th annual awards gala, held in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Radisson Blue Aqua Hotel, also recognized Broadway In Chicago President Lou Raizin as well as Theatre School alumna Karen Aldridge.

The school's Excellence in the Arts awards recognize distinguished artists and visionaries who have proved their dedication, talent, and leadership in support of the arts. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Theatre School Scholarship Fund, supporting students from all over the nation to train at the school.

"My art is my ministry," said De Shields, "and that the Theatre School at DePaul University chose to honor me with the Award for Excellence in the Arts encourages me to continue my efforts in creative activism."

De Shields is currently in rehearsals for Gotta Dance, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball’s first-ever aged 60-and-older dance team. The production begins performances on December 13, at Broadway In Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre. On Broadway, he is best known for his legendary performances in The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Play On!, and The Full Monty.

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