Dionne Lea Williams is a movie, tv, and theater actress,, in addition to a cabaret singer identified for Dolphin Island, Ray Meets Helen, and American Fusion.
As a graduate of NYU’s prestigious Tisch Faculty of the Arts, she obtained an MFA in Performing, along with a BFA in Theatre from the College of Evansville.
By means of her versatile coaching, she strikes via the inventive group doing improv exhibits, selection exhibits, and native theatre. Dionne has targeted nearly all of her profession on telling tales and singing songs to stay audiences and thru her podcast, “The Means I Am… Now.”
Williams opened up about what attendees can count on to see throughout her upcoming showcases in Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
What does it really feel wish to be on the stage?
It feels good. I thrive in what I do. It feels actually good. It feels actually highly effective to have the ability to have interaction an viewers for that period of time, and so they get it. They’re listening, they’re laughing, and so they’re having fun with it. I do get pleasure from [it] on the finish when individuals say to me, “How do you have got the power to do all that?” Whenever you’re on stage and you like being on stage, you could be exhausted earlier than you hit the stage, however when you get on it, there’s the adrenaline power from the individuals and the enjoyment of music and tales. It’s thrilling, and I find it irresistible.
How did you develop the present work that you just’re bringing to Atlanta and the world?
I began creating this in the course of the pandemic. Once we have been shut down longer than two weeks[,] I used to be like, “I believe when a whole lot of artists come out of this pandemic, they may want work. I must have work obtainable. I must be prepared.” I began writing, journaling, [and] fascinated by all of the challenges that my household, the world, and I have been having. Once I got here out of the pandemic, I had all of those concepts, but it surely was a darkish time. I met with my musical director, whose identify is Keith Harrison Dworkin, and I used to be like, “We have to inform these tales, however how can we inform all of this and have individuals singing, dancing, snapping their fingers, and having a great time?” That was the problem. That’s what the present is[;] it’s a dialogue about the whole lot that we’ve gone via. It’s about a whole lot of the issues that I’ve gone via that haven’t been really easy, however I hold the whole lot constructive. The music lets you keep constructive and keep joyful as a result of the present is all about pleasure. That’s been my objective, after which going again to after I began 10 years in the past, I began doing this and I used to be challenged to solely do constructive one-person exhibits. I accepted that problem. That’s what I’ve been doing for 10 years. The final time I got here to Atlanta, it was a constructive present about transferring via grief and the way you progress out and rejoice life and household. This one is about celebrating life, and buddies and inspecting what a great time is. How we stroll via these difficult instances, positively, significantly for Black individuals.
What’s one takeaway you need the viewers to obtain?
[…] I imagine that they’re going to depart deciding that they’ll stay every day, step-by-step, which is a tune I sing, that addresses your challenges step-by-step. You possibly can’t overcome something by going all the way in which there[,] however you’ll be able to overcome it second to second, step-by-step, and thoughtfully. I believe that’s what individuals will depart with; they may depart with a considerate exploration of their life. They may say, “Oh, this may appear massive, but when I sort out it slightly bit at a time, I can get there.” That’s what I really like about doing it. I believe that’s what they depart with. That’s how I’ve been instructing myself as I’ve been doing them. I’ve realized a whole lot of persistence.
What did you study your self in the course of the pandemic?
[…] We realized that we might do it. It took some remedy, we took a whole lot of walks, we did a whole lot of mountaineering, and we have been exterior so much. We determined we weren’t going to be defeated by it.
What therapeutic properties does singing provide you with whereas on stage?
[…] That’s what I carry to the stage. Honesty, authenticity, and sharing the present that I obtained from God, and my household.
How do you put together to be on stage?
[…] Then I do a whole lot of work to maintain my voice with tonics, vocal sprays, and humidifiers at night time. It’s a follow.
What’s your recommendation to Black women wanting as much as you and why ought to they arrive watch?
[…] I really feel like I’ve discovered this area of interest and I do it properly, and I find it irresistible. I hope that individuals come and say, “Oh, she did that, so this factor that I assumed I couldn’t do, I really can do.”
When you have been giving a speech at Spelman Faculty, Clark Atlanta College, Howard College, or Hampton College, what are three stuff you need the scholars to know?
[…] Preserve at it, as a result of if you get there, it’s a superb second. It’s a second of competence that you’ve got arrived at one thing that you’ve got earned and you might be actually educated in. One thing which you could share freely with out nervousness, with out second guessing your self, and stroll into rooms understanding, “I bought this[,] lady.”
How do you promote the ability of focus when there are such a lot of distractions?
[…] You need to be current for what you’re doing. If I’m speaking to you, I can’t choose up my cellphone and begin texting. That’s two totally different conversations. I’ve to be current right here with you.
Whenever you consider meditating, how have you ever grown in your journey?
[…] I began meditating 19 years in the past and it modified my life. I began meditating once more due to my husband. I noticed the good thing about my associate, and I needed that. Whenever you meet these individuals who meditate and pray; they simply have one thing about them. I wish to be round these individuals and I would like what they’ve, however there
