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
Like most family gatherings during the pandemic, this barbecue will be virtual. In light of the coronavirus outbreak that has plagued the world since...
Broadway Black, the multimedia organization highlighting the achievements of Black theatre artists, is pleased to announce the inaugural Antonyo Awards, a celebration of the...
The Broadway Advocacy Coalition is hosting a three day online seminar to discuss racism in the Broadway community. The forum, entitled “Broadway for Black...
“In response to the national crisis in the aftermath of the murders of Ahmaud Arbery (Brunswick, GA), Breonna Taylor (Louisville, KY), and most recently...
Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern, and actor-playwright-director-producer Colman Domingo announced recently that York Walker will be the inaugural recipient of...
Death most definitely isn’t something we’re comfortable discussing. It is a truth of life that we refuse to acknowledge because to acknowledge it would...
Schomburg Center is always curating great events. This one is no exception. Continuing with their Theatre Talks event we’ve seen previously with The Color...
This landmark musical based on Alice Walker’s novel of the same name follows the the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy...