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Ira Frederick Aldridge was born in New York City in 1807. Aldridge was an American later British actor and playwright. Aldridge is the only actor of African-American descent among the 33 actors of the English stage honoured with bronze plaques at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon (wikipedia.com). Aldridge was a part of the African Company that eventually built the African Grove Theatre in 1821. Aldridge acting debut was as the Peruvian character Rolla in Pizarro by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Because of the constant discrimination of black actors, Aldridge moved to Liverpool, England in 1824. Aldridge was known for his Shakespearean roll, Othello. We introduce Ira Aldridge to our Lost Series for his contributions to black actors and because of our new partnership with Morgan State University of Baltimore, MD. Theatre Morgan/Ira Aldridge Players (IAP).