On a Tuesday morning, Richard Gallion started his day praying.

“I sit silently for at least 15 minutes and pray,” he said. Afterward, Gallion took his youngest son to school, a significant trek up north. “Then, I pick up my other son and take him to school—two completely different directions.”

Living on the South Side in Bronzeville, Gallion’s routine is packed, balancing family and professional responsibilities. “After all that, I read, study, do some marketing, run errands, pick up the kids, take my son to box, then basketball, and finally, I come here to rehearsals; he laughs, and that’s every day.”

Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Gallion’s story is about resilience and staying true to oneself. Despite the challenges of his upbringing, his talents opened doors for his success in the acting and film industry; a shift in mindset and embracing opportunities were all he needed.

“It was rough,” he recalled, describing his early years in the West Side neighborhood of “K” Town before moving to Uptown.

Gallion was determined to rise above the circumstances of growing up in a single-parent household with seven siblings.

“My mom tried to make it as smooth as possible, but it was tough. I always focused on wanting more, not just being a product of my environment,” he said.

His journey, which included playing college basketball at Chicago State University, broadened his perspective. “Playing college basketball made me realize there’s so much more out there than just Chicago.”

An Unexpected Path to The Screen and Stage

“I stumbled into acting,” Gallion said.

His path to writing, directing and acting began after a basketball injury ended his athletic dreams.

While modeling for Ebony and JET magazine’s Fashion Fair, he discovered a passion for writing. His acting debut came in the TV movie, “Love Me or Leave Me” alongside Clifton Powell and Elise Neal.

A spontaneous audition when a friend’s rehearsal had a no-show sealed his fate. “I got bit by the acting bug and haven’t stopped since.”

Since then, Gallion has had leading roles on TV shows and films such as “APB,” “Transformers 4,” “Empire,” “Chicago PD” and “Black Coffee.”

He also honors his mentor, Theatre 47 Chicagoan playwright and filmmaker John Ruffin. Gallion began writing plays as his acting career grew, including co-writing “Hard Knock Life.”

He followed up with his “Living Without Love” debut with “Voice of a Child.” His works address personal struggles and family issues, offering hope and healing. 

‘A Fall from Royalty’: A Lesson in History and Legacy

A scene from “A Fall from Royalty” (Photo Credit: Richard Gallion Entertainment). 

Gallion’s latest production, “A Fall from Royalty,” delivers a powerful message about history, love, community, opposition, family, business and betrayal.

“The main takeaway is that your decisions today don’t just affect you—they impact everyone and everything around you, whether they’re alive or not; what you do today matters,” he said.

The play explores two connected eras: the 1400s and 1800s. It examines greed, power and the consequences of choices. In the second act, characters from the first act are transported 400 years into the future to an 1800s plantation, where they witness the devastating impact of their actions—slavery, suffering and lives torn apart by greed—as they confront the brutal realities of their ancestors’ decisions.

Sitting in on rehearsals, I saw that African dancing was a standout feature of the show. The honor goes to Gallion’s choreographer, Anthony Sampson (Director and Choreographer of Redd’s Angelz), who approached the choreography focusing on historical accuracy.

Photo Credit: Richard Gallion Entertainment

“I’m primarily a hip-hop dancer, but I had to think outside the box and incorporate Afrocentric elements,” Sampson stated. He created a dynamic, historically grounded performance by blending traditional African dance with modern influences.

“The goal was to transport the audience to the 1400s or 1800s. Working on this Black history production has been a transformative experience, teaching me the importance of originality and authenticity. This play represents our culture, so it’s crucial to understand what you’re a part of. By engaging with the script and actors, I was able to turn their knowledge into meaningful art through choreography,” said Sampson.

Richard Gallion Entertainment: Purpose-Driven Productions

Rehearsals for “A Fall from Royalty” (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).

His company, Richard Gallion Entertainment, envisions telling authentic, resonant stories. “I’m not just producing shows for the sake of it. I want to tell real stories that help people understand our struggles and triumphs. It’s important to focus on the mindset behind people’s choices.

His productions explore the deep-rooted reasons behind people’s actions, especially within the Black community. “It’s easier to forgive people when you understand them,” he said. “If people truly understood what Black men and women go through, we’d be understood more.”

Gallion hopes to see more community support and leadership in the future of Black theater in Chicago.

“We need people who are genuinely passionate about the arts to step up and lead,” he said.

“When people enter the arts without real passion, it oversaturates the market and leads them off purpose; some are meant to produce and organize, but when they take on too many roles for financial reasons, it can backfire. A show that doesn’t meet expectations leaves a bad impression, especially for Black theater, and hurts the whole industry.”

Gallion also reflected on his determined approach to his profession: “Being a father, provider and entrepreneur while keeping a strong relationship with God has been unbending, but I had to change my mindset. Once I started growing, the things that bothered me became so small.” 

By continuously supporting the Chicago theater community, Gallion offers workshops and mentorship through his company.

For more information on his latest project, “A Fall from Royalty,” visit www.richardgallion.com.