Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride.
His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media.
In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage.
Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms.
“Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson
The recent controversy around Patti LuPone and Kecia Lewis, compounded by LuPone’s dismissive remarks about Audra McDonald and her derogatory name-calling toward Lewis, has...
Tony Award winner Heather Headley played her final performance in The Color Purple on October 2nd, 2016, after starting her run in the revival on May 10,...
The stars have come out to #SaveAintNoMo, a campaign launched by the show’s star and playwright, Jordan E. Cooper. Cooper launched the #SaveAintNoMo campaign...
Producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group announced today that an all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz, adapted from The Wizard of...
The legendary New York production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” has announced a final extension for its record-breaking, historic run...
The producers of the 2nd Annual Antonyo Awards have announced that this year’s in-person ceremony, originally scheduled to take place at the Apollo Theater...
Broadway Black presents The 2nd Annual Antonyo Awards, which honors Black theatre artists during the 2021-2022 season. The live, in-person ceremony will be held on Monday,...
Asking the question “Can you hear us?,” Crystal Monee Hall releases a video of her soul-stirring gospel arrangement of “A Beautiful Noise,” originally written...
The pandemic has not stopped the producers of the holiday musical Black Nativity from bringing their production to audiences worldwide. Black Nativity: A Gospel...