Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald sits down for a talk about the intricacies of her creative process and craft with Shanice Williams, who burst onto the scene in December 2015 as Dorothy in NBC's The Wiz Live!
I never have seen Shanice Williams perform but she gave such an enlightening and very simplified interview with Audra McDonald that now I want to see just how talented she is.
THANK YOU so much for this! I love both of these immensely talented ladies, and so wonderful to see a seasoned performer sitting with the young blood. I'm so happy this happened and absolutely love seeing it. And can we talk about seeing two beautifully deeply melanated Black women with regular Black girl hair sprinkling Black Girl Magic into the universe??!! Looooove!!!!!!!!!
This was truly special for Audra and Shanice to interview each other. These girls are pure examples of African American talent! Shanice was amazing as Dorothy and she has a future ahead of her. Audra is a beautiful singer and on her way to becoming a legend. Craig Zaden & Neil Meron should bring Ms. McDonald back for Hairspray Live and play Maybelle.
Sorry that the interview ended; I could have watched forever. I don't really think that one's got to try to "just be yourself." You ARE yourself and that's enough - even if it's not enough for your audience, critics or employer or call-back. So don't try. The more energy spent on trying to be you, unique, different means spending less energy and love on what you're doing up there. The more one tries to be him/herself the less there is of one's self. Audra's advice to really listen to the other person on-stage is spot on, especially when they are paying attention, too. I was giving a concert in a festival in Italy and during a performance of a classical work a pianist walked on-stage and began playing a piece of his, inviting me to join him (although I speak no Italian). Now, I'm no Jazz-player but his playing was so engaging that we played a few minutes. To my surprise, my students and the audience loved it, but their applause ripped me back into the real world which I had temporarily departed - as typically happens. Yet when we began to play I had to shake the feeling that I was about to do something where I would most probably fall on my face. So what? What a great opportunity to show my students how to fall on one's face with aplomb; but I didn't. This in response to taking on a roll that's scary. My best performance took place after just having been mugged at gun-point and hit in the mouth in the basement. I felt so protected by the 2 or 3,000 people in the audience and safe. I loved this music better than ever before and that was obvious to all. Just wanted to share.
Nice interview and such a shame there was no vehicle and team to support Shanice to continue her career. What a waste of such talent not having the same kinds of opportunities that Audra had.
