Shanice Williams

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Shanice Williams
Born (1996-07-09) July 9, 1996 (age 28)
Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma mater American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2015–present

Shanice Williams (born July 9, 1996), also known as Shanice Shantay, is an American actress and singer. She is known for her performance as the outspoken Johnnie Mae in The Six Triple Eight .

Contents

Early life and education

She grew up in Rahway, New Jersey. Her mother, Andrea Holmes, is a postal worker; and her father, Shelton Williams, is a security guard. Her cousin, Willis Williams, is an independent professional wrestler known as Ali Shabazz. [1] She attended Rahway High School, where she performed as part of her school's drama program. [2]

Williams studied briefly at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, but began her singing career in her grandfather's choir. [3]

Career

Her first major break was playing the role of Dorothy in The Wiz Live! , a televised program based on the 1975 Broadway theatrical production, The Wiz . Williams was selected for the role through an open casting call when she was 18 years old, which was a collaboration between NBC and the theatrical division of Cirque du Soleil.

In 2017 Williams starred in the HBO film Manic. [4] For her role in this film, she won best actress in a drama at the New York Television Festival and best actress in a drama at SeriesFest. [4]

In 2018 Williams made her New York stage and Off-Broadway debut in Little Rock, a play about the Little Rock Nine. [5] A year later, Williams was cast in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods which ran July 26–28. [6]

Filmography

Film and television roles
YearTitleRoleNotes
2015 The Wiz Live! Dorothy Gale Television film
2017ManicAurora Short film
2018 Sunny Day LuluEpisode: "Clowning Around"
2019–2020 Perfect Harmony Leanne10 episodes
2021 The Last O.G. FeliciaEpisode: "The Negotiator"
2024 The Six Triple Eight Johnnie Mae

References

  1. ↑ Ryznik, Melena (4 December 2015). "Shanice Williams on Her Road to Dorothy and 'The Wiz Live!'". The New York Times . Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  2. ↑ Hyman, Vicki. Also Studied in the arts at Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn Nj. "N.J. newcomer Shanice Williams cast as Dorothy in NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 5, 2015. Accessed December 4, 2015. "A little over a year ago, Shanice Williams was making her last curtain call at Rahway High School. Now the 18-year-old is the face of NBC's The Wiz Live!, following in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood and Allison Williams as the star of network's annual musical extravaganza, beating out hundreds of unknowns for the coveted role of Dorothy."
  3. ↑ Anderson, Tre'vell (23 November 2015). "Shanice Williams steps into Dorothy's shoes for NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Manic". katemarks. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  5. ↑ Clement, Olivia (April 12, 2018). "The Wiz Live Star Shanice Williams to Make Off-Broadway Debut in Little Rock". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  6. ↑ Gans, Andrew (April 24, 2019). "Patina Miller, Gaten Matarazzo, Shanice Williams Will Star in Hollywood Bowl's Into the Woods". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
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