Alfred Dean. Irby

Born in 1947 in Jamestown, to Alfred and Camiller Irby, Dean was the youngest of four children and was raised in a strong Christian family tradition. He attended Love Elementary School, Washington Junior High School, and Jamestown High School, where he was active in Sunday school, choir, school plays, and athletics, including track and field, basketball, and football.

Dean earned his B.A. from Dillard University in New Orleans, where he became deeply involved in theater, arts, and activism. He was a founding member of the Dashiki Project Theater, worked with the Free Southern Theater, and helped found Afro-Americans for Progress, a student organization that helped create the Festival of African American Arts, a precursor to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Dean moved to New York City and continued his studies at New York University, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. He went on to a distinguished national career as an actor, director, and teacher. His work included Broadway and touring productions, off-Broadway theater, television, and commercials. He also worked behind the scenes as an acting coach on The Cosby Show for four years. A respected director, he earned multiple AUDELCO Awards and recently appeared in Guy Davis’ Sugarbelly and Other Tales My Father Told Me at Crossroads Theatre Company.

Dean also had a long and deeply influential teaching career. He joined the faculty at SUNY Purchase in 1989 and, over 36 years, directed more than 60 productions at the Acting Conservatory, mentoring generations of young performers.

In his final years, he was honored with the 2024 Lloyd Richards Director Award at the International Black Theatre Festival, the 2024 Lifetime Achievement AUDELCO Award, and was the subject of the documentary The Artistry of A. Dean Irby by filmmaker Juney Smith.

A man of deep faith, Dean was a proud member of the Male Chorus at Canaan Baptist Church of Christ and the Micki Grant Performing Arts Ministry. He was devoted to his family and especially cherished his son, Elijah, his daughter-in-law, Hilary, and his granddaughter, Evelyn.

He is survived by his son, Elijah Irby; daughter-in-law, Hilary; granddaughter, Evelyn; brother, Joseph Irby; nephews, Chauncey Gilbert and Michael Irby; Michael’s daughters, Elsa, Esabella, and Larkin; his surrogate mother, Flora; and many cousins, extended family members, friends, colleagues, and former students. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Camiller Irby; his brother, Roger; and his sister, Mary.

Until we meet again, Dear Dean, rest in heavenly peace.

Dean’s memorial service will take place at Riverside Church in New York City on Saturday, March 7th at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to New Federal Theatre and/or Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, both in New York City.