Meet Shanice Williams – Star Of NBC’s New Live TV Musical #TheWiz

Q: Were you a fan of “The Wiz” before?

A: “They did it when I was in middle school, but I was too nervous to audition for Dorothy. So I played Addapearle. At that time in my life, I listened to the soundtrack over and over in the car with my dad, and I watched the movie, so I was in love with the Wiz before I got this part.”

Q: You left your school, The College And Conservatory of the Performing Arts, right before you got the part. Tell us about that.

A: “The reason why I came home was because I wasn’t feeling the school and I had to look for a new one. I auditioned for this the day after I got off the airplane…When I came back, I was like, I have to find something to do with my life! This was a blessing. I remember days when I would just cry and pray and be like ‘God, what am I gonna do if I come home? I know I don’t belong here, but I don’t wanna end up on my mom’s couch or something like that. This is really a blessing.”

Q: What’s changed most about your life now?

A: “I really have to focus on me and take care of myself. I have to be like ‘Ok – this is what you can do, and this is what you can’t do.’…I have to always be on my ‘A’ game. I guess that’s a good thing.”

Q: What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from this experience?

A: “You have to remember it’s all about the work. If you forget that, it goes all downhill.”

Q: What have the rehearsals been like?

A: “Rehearsals are great for me. It’s my first time, so eight hours feels like 20 minutes. I’m just having a blast. I’m one of the youngest ones in the cast, so for me, everything’s just like ‘Oh my God!!’”

Q: Which scene in the The Wiz are you nervous about performing?

A: “This whole show is going to be really fun, but ‘Home’ is the song everyone’s waiting for. And it’s the end of the show, so it’s perfect. Once I sing ‘Home,’ (that’s it).”