Ray Shell is an international actor/writer/singer/producer and director. As an actor Ray has worked for directors and composers such as TREVOR NUNN, NICHOLAS HYNTER, MICHAEL BUFFONG, GERALDINE CONNOR, RUFUS NORRIS, PAULETTE RANDALL, LAURA KEPLEY, TOM EYEN, SHEA THORROCK, RON LINK, MARC SHAIMAN, HENRY KRIEGER, STING, STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, CLAUDE MICHEL SCHONBERG, ARTHUR DARVILL and ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER in the original London productions of Starlight Express, Little Willie Jr.’s Resurrection, The Dirtiest Musical, Dementos, Children of Eden, Ms. Saigon, Lion King, Driving Ms. Daisy; Ray was thrilled to standby for James Earl Jones, The Body Guard, Blues For Mr. Charlie, Been So Long, Carnival Messiah, Radio Golf, All My Sons, The Crucible and many others.
Before Ray left for London in 1978, he appeared in The Me Nobody Knows, USA National Tour; Hair; Mercury Tribe, USA National Tour.
As a vocalist Ray has sung with Magazine; Whitney Houston; The Police; Nona Hendryx, Freddie McGregor; Loose Ends; Alabama3, Peter Green and others.
Ray’s Film/Television credits include The Apple; Menahem Golan Director, Young Soul Rebels; Issac Julien Director, Velvet Goldmine; Todd Haynes; Breakfast With David Frost.
Ray Shell is the author of ICED published by Flamingo/Harper-Collins UK; Random House USA
Spike Lee: The Eternal Maverick published by Street Angels Books, FEEDIN MIRANDA: a novel currently in film development with SUGAR FILMS, London; Ray is the writer/director of GRAYHOUND currently filming in Wilson NC. His musical STAR BOY is currently in development with Adam Twiss at Barton College, Wilson North Carolina, USA.
Ray has directed: The Black Fashion Designers Show; Royal Albert Hall, London; STREET ANGELS; MANNAFEST POETRY SLAM; Royal Festival Hall, London; WHITE FOLKS; Cochrane Theatre, London. Ray is currently directing THE ZOO STORY by Edward Albee at Big Harold’s Diner in Wilson North Carolina, USA.
Ray was the Artistic Director of GIANT OLIVE THEATRE COMPANY at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, London 2008-2011; Ray is currently Artistic Director of TAIP (TOTAL ARTIST IN PRODUCTION) LAB in Wilson North Carolina USA.
As a Performance Director/Voice Coach: Vocal coach for BBC Television Series THE VOICE 2012; Voice coach for JAHMENE DOUGLAS X-FACTOR finalist 2012; MARSHA AMBROSIUS, SIA, JAMIROQUAI, CARON WHEELER, GRACE JONES and others.
Ray Shell studied acting, literature and mass communications at Emerson College, Boston Mass and graduated with a BFA in 1974. @rayshell