African Continuum Theatre Announces New Executive Director

 

Williams’ career includes more than 20 years in the arts as a director, educator, consultant and performer.  She is no stranger to African Continuum, as she previously was the Communications Director and a management consultant for African Continuum Theatre Coalition before the organization transitioned to a producing theatre. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Interim Executive Director of the Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) since July 2007.

 

During her tenure at the Dance Institute, Williams improved and created a framework for the summer production apprentice program for students in the DC Department of Employment Services/SYEP.   Students learned about occupation opportunities backstage in lighting, set and costume design and other areas of production.  In addition to hands-on workshops with professionals in these fields, students also made weekly field trips to local theatres and were involved as backstage crew in DIW performances at Wolf Trap’s Children's Theatre in the Woods, the Carter Barron and other local venues.

 

Williams has worked throughout Washington and is the co-founder of the Uniquely D.C. Festival, celebrating the District and its residents with periodic visual and performing arts events.  Williams was the Public Relations Director for the DC Youth Orchestra program.  She also served as a Director for the Levine School of Music at their Southeast site managing and coordinating staff and musicians, budgeting, public relations, marketing and fundraising. As a consultant, Williams has coordinated community arts programs and developed comprehensive fundraising strategies. Her numerous production and performance credits include The Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Theatre, Source Theater, Dance Place and the Dance Theater Workshop in New York City.  In addition, she has traveled overseas to West African, South Korea, Brazil and the Dominican Republic for work and pleasure.

 

Williams served as a panelist for the D.C. Commission on the Arts and as an on-site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts former Expansion Arts Program.   She has been a visiting and adjunct professor at American University’s Department of Performing Arts and at the University of the District of Columbia.

 

As a member of the SAG/AFTRA, Williams was involved in Texas with drafting policy for performance opportunities for actors of color.  She also worked for two seasons on the nationally broadcasted PBS television series, “With Ossie and Ruby,” starring Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis. Her work has garnered awards including the Larry Neal Writers Award and the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts. 

 

Williams received her B.S.in Speech and Drama Education from University of Maryland and her MA in Arts Management from American University.