It seems especially appropriate that we start this series on the day before the first preview of his new show, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Today, he reminisces about his Broadway debut in Memphis, his high school and college training, the luxury of originating a role, and how he had to make a big choice after a pair of auditions. Here is the first in a series...
5 Quick Questions
with Cody Williams
“Steal Your
Rock ‘N’ Roll” Memphis
|
(From L to
R) Besty Struxness, Cody Williams, Andy Mills
(the Fox in R + H’s
Cinderella!!!), Angela Brydon, and Jamison Scott
ONE
JEFF: Cody, thanks so much for
sharing the momentous journey of opening a new Broadway show with us! But
this isn't your Broadway debut. That came when you joined the cast of
Memphis, right? How was that first taste of "the Big Time"? Was
it everything you dreamed your debut would be? What is it like joining a
show already in motion?
CODY: My
pleasure! It was definitely everything I had dreamed it to be, and at the
same time it was completely different than I had imagined! The excitement of
being on Broadway for the first time was absolutely present and even more
special than I had imagined it would be. What I didn't realize, however,
was how difficult it is to be a replacement in a show. Replacements are
essentially given a few hours of rehearsal to learn a part that someone had
months to create. I was the tumble track in the show, and I had never
done those tricks with the lights, band, or set, when I first had to do them
for an audience. It certainly made things exciting! For me, an
actor’s first show on Broadway is the equivalent to a baseball player’s first
chance at bat in the majors. It doesn't matter if you one day become the
next Babe Ruth - you don't want to whiff your first at bat! (On a side
note, something that made my debut extra special was that I was taking over the
track created by Cary Tedder. Cary was my best friend in high school.
He is the reason I learned how to tumble. It was so special to take
over his track.)
(From L to
R) Kevin Massey, Cody Williams,
Justin Patterson, Andy Mills, Adam Pascal
High School
best buds!
Cary Tedder and Cody Williams
TWO
JEFF: In contrast, you are a part
of the original Broadway company of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. I
imagine that this experience is completely different! From design to
staging, you are starting it all. Just how different is it? What
have been some of the great surprises? And the unexpected challenges?
CODY: Creating
a track in a show has been completely different than taking over a track!
Honestly, it has been much easier. There has been much less stress
because the creative team built my role around my strengths. I also have
had much more time to prepare! I’ve been working on R + H's Cinderella since the beginning on July, and we don't open
until March 3rd. One of the biggest perks of originating this role has
been getting to develop relationships with the creative team. Watching
these amazing artists work while becoming their friend has been an incredible
gift.
THREE
JEFF: Congratulations on your
really awesome blog series for Broadway World.com! Your enthusiasm is
infectious! Judging from some of the rehearsal pictures you've shared
there, animals play a part in this show. What do you have to do with that
aspect of the show? How does an actor prepare for such a task?
CODY: Thanks
so much! I have to be careful not to give away any surprises, but nature
in general plays a big role in Rodgers +
Hammerstein's Cinderella. I play the raccoon that drives Cinderella
to the ball. To prepare for this, I watched a lot of videos of raccoons
to see how they move. Also, I've never driven a horse-drawn carriage, so I
went to Central Park and watched the carriage drivers.
Pebblebrook
visits Mount Blanc, Switzerland.
Recognize Colt Prattes (center) from Pink’s “Try” music video?
He was a senior buddy to me in both high
school and college.
Pebblebrook and CCM peer
Ryan Breslin
(Newsies) and myself.
FOUR
JEFF: Speaking of preparation,
tell us about your high school and college experience at the University of
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. I read in an interview that you
did that they try to create "triple threats." How has that
helped your developing career? And specifically, how has that helped (or
hindered) working on a show where you are creating the role? Of the three
aspects of "triple threat-dom," which is your favorite and why?
CODY: I
never performed at all until high school. By a tremendous stroke of luck,
I was talked into going to an amazing performing arts high school in Atlanta.
Pebblebrook High School is absolutely the reason I have the life I do
today. While in high school, I focused most on dance and acting.
To be honest, I couldn't sing at all. That's why I wanted to go to
Cincinnati (CCM). Pebblebrook took me to all of the big musical theater
schools to see shows and take master classes. After seeing students from
every school perform, I knew that I needed to go to Cincinnati. It was
clear that if I could train with CCM’s voice faculty I could become the singer
I hoped to be. CCM's mission is to train triple threats, and I feel they
succeeded with me. Being solid in all areas is the reason I have had luck
getting work. When I was at Pebblebrook, we used to visit New York to see
shows. I dreamed of being able to act and sing like the cast of The Light in the Piazza and dance like
the dancers in Movin' Out.
Everyday, I am so happy to be at work because it is an affirmation that my
dream has come true. I get to perform WITH those amazing people!
JEFF: Describe for us the audition
process for Cinderella, from the call/notice to your reaction upon finding out
you got a part in the show. And what does your track in the show entail?
CODY: This
past May, my agent called me with an audition for the workshop of R + H's Cinderella. I went in to
dance and sing initially, and I felt my audition had gone very well.
There were a couple of callbacks where I was asked to perform sides for [the roles of] Prince Topher and Jean-Michel. I also was asked to come to a callback to
partner dance. The day I found out that I had gotten R + H's Cinderella was a really special one for me. I had
auditioned for Drood that morning.
That afternoon I found out I had gotten R + H's Cinderella, and a few hours later I found out I had been
cast in Drood as well. I was on
cloud nine! Unfortunately, once the dates for both shows were finalized,
it became clear that I couldn't do both shows. In R + H’s Cinderella, I am in the ensemble and have a great feature
as the raccoon. I also understudy Prince Topher and Jean-Michel.
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY CODY WILLIAMS.
Jeff
1.144
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY CODY WILLIAMS.
Jeff
1.144
No comments:
Post a Comment