IN MY FIFTY-TWO YEARS as a Black performer, the question I’m asked by casting directors more often than not is, “Can you sing and dance?” Well, yeah, because I grew up doing doo-wop under the street lamps in the drizzling rain with my brothers, went to house parties to learn the latest moves. I don’t have formal training as a singer and dancer, but it’s in my blood.
Andre De Shields
75, ACTOR, New York
WHEN I WON THE TONY, the first thing that came out of my mouth was “Is Baltimore in the house?” It was the first time I had a captive audience of millions; to speak to that many people from the living stage, I’d have to work for hundreds of years. This was my opportunity. And what I said was, “Baltimore, when I left you in 1964, I promised I would achieve certain heights so you would be proud to say, ‘That’s a native son.’ ”
This story is from the Summer 2021 edition of Esquire.
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This story is from the Summer 2021 edition of Esquire.
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