Freshman Catie Williams steps onto the stage. She easily slips into a whole different world as a different person with a different life and a new personality.
“The feeling of being able to be anyone [interests me.] I love attention too, so having a huge group of people watching me makes me feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” Williams said.
Williams always acted in one way or another since the age of five. She put on shows for her mom when she was a little girl and began acting with Theatre Arlington around the age of ten. Since then she earned the lead roles in The Wizard of Oz in the Wild West and Snake in the Grass along with a minor role in It’s a Wonderful Life.
“I love going to Theatre Arlington because of the people and the purpose. Everyone is always so friendly and being in the same room as a group of people sharing the same passion is indescribable,” Williams said. “Just the thought of acting makes me happy so being in a place that’s all about it is just amazing.”
Earning a place in the improv troupe as a freshman, Williams did not want to audition for a part, but after some pep talks from other people in theater she built up the courage to go on stage and do her thing. Along with being part of the improv troupe, she was also appointed lead role of the school play, Our Town. Even though she enjoys both very much, Williams favors regular plays because improvising freaks her out.
“It’s crazy. I didn’t really expect to get the lead,” Williams said. “I was pretty shocked.”
The support Williams receives comes from her family. Her mom drives her to the all of her events and practices and stays on the lookout for agencies and auditions. Her uncle, a former actor, also gives her tips and secrets to help her better her acting. Other than her family she also receives a lot of help from her theatre friends.
“They’re all pretty cool. It’s good because they’re all really into theater,” Williams said. “They actually want to be there.”
Williams plans to continue her acting and to make a career out of it. She wants to continue acting in live plays or shows and aspires to act as Glinda in the play Wicked and if ever on screen, she would like to be on, “Saturday Night Live.”
“I adore the play [Wicked] and playing the character [Glinda] would be so much fun,” Williams said. “That would be the best role ever. That show is hilarious.”
Williams loves the feeling of stepping on stage and standing in the spotlight. Her hard work and perseverance has paid off and has gotten her now three lead roles, a minor role and on the improv team.
“ [It’s] magical. I feel like a star, like all eyes are on me and that this is my big chance to show everyone what I am capable of,” Williams said.
