We recently connected with Christina Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

If I’m being honest, I think I’ve always had the performing ‘bug’ within me. But it was never something that I, or anyone in my family really thought about or put any interest in pursuing. So, in school I followed the ‘traditional’ and ‘sensible’ business path. I did love math and accounting so I thought that’s what I should be doing. I spent some time at a community college right after high school and when I was signing up for classes, a math class I needed was full and there were only 2 open classes available – one of them was an Intro to Theatre course. I was so terrified even signing up for the class. But from day ONE, I was in love. I was 19 and this was really the first time that I was really taking chances and going outside my comfort zones. For one of our final assignments, we had to do a scene from “A Streetcar Named Desire” (one of the plays we had been studying in depth). I loved (still do!) that play so much and I somehow felt I understood Blanche so well. I put everything I had (at 19) into the work and my scene partner and I were the first one’s to go. The feedback I received from, not only the instructor, but the students as well, was intoxicating. It was the most validation I think I had ever received up until then. The pair that was to do their scene after us actually said “we have to follow THAT?!” I was screaming with pure joy on the inside for the rest of the class – and then, when I got into my car afterwards, I audibly screamed. Right then and there I KNEW what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I’ll never forget that day as long as I live.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After the community college class, I dropped out and immediately started training at Freehold Actors Lab in Seattle. I spent 6 glorious consecutive years there. I studied everything from acting to movement to voice to stage combat. I started performing for local theatres in the early 2000’s. I did take a 10-year hiatus (when I actually did do accounting) but gleefully came back to the industry in 2017. Live theatre is and always will be my first love, but since 2017 I have also done films, some commercials, a web-series, and am also pursuing voice over work. I have my own home VO booth (which my wonderful husband built for me) so I’m looking forward to doing more work in that arena.
I think what I am most proud of is the level of commitment and professionalism I bring to my projects. I take every job I get seriously and try to be as prepared as possible, which really frees me up to be able to PLAY. The more intellectually prepared I am behind the scenes, the more spontaneous I can be in the moment, because the ‘work’ is already within in and I trust that it will be there when I need it.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, It’s all about the connection. With the audience…with my fellow actors… There is something so beautiful and deeply moving when you FEEL that connection with (specifically) a live audience. Even though it’s you on stage telling the story, you all are on this magical ride TOGETHER. I truly believe art heals and representation matters. Perhaps an audience member sees a character and/or a situation on-stage (or film, etc) that they inherently relate to for the first time…and they feel seen…and heard…and understood. Or perhaps someone sees something that they never really thought about before or had been closed off to previously – but through storytelling – something awakens within them and they start to question things…or see things/ideas in a new light.
We are all just humans trying to make our way in this world – and to be even a small part of someone else’s journey is humbling and so very gratifying.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

So, there’s a reason they call it show ‘business’. That is one of the most challenging things for me, and for a lot of creatives I know. But, my brain is kind of wired for both (I do have that degree in Accounting) so there is a part of me that secretly loves that “organizational” aspect of it all. I find that I like to balance inspiration with practical.

*Books that I have learned so much from include: The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz), Self Management for Actors (Bonnie Gillespie), The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron), The War of Art (Steven Pressfield), Worry-Free Money (Shannon Lee Simmons), The Gifts of Imperfection (Brene Brown).

*Podcasts that inspire me: Audrey Helps Actors, One Broke Actress, Speechless VO, VOpreneur

*Videos/Interviews: SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations, Variety Actors on Actors series, Inside the Actors Studio

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christina-williams.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiveninegal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinawilliamsactor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fiveninegal