4 Things to Learn from Shanice Williams’ Journey to Dorothy

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator type=”transparent” position=”position_center” thickness=”1″ up=”20″ icon_pack=”font_awesome” fe_icon=”arrow_back” icon_type=”normal”][vc_column_text]On Thursday, December 3, I was one of the 11.5 million viewers who watched “The Wiz Live!” on NBC. Just like those viewers, I watched in awe as a star-studded cast took on the task of revitalizing the 1975 play. What was also amazing about this night was that a major television network showcased this wonderful production featuring an all-black cast that was directed by a Clark Atlanta alum, Kenny Leon. What I found to be most impressive was watching Shanice Williams reprise the role as Dorothy which was her first acting job EVER.

 

It was rumored that many of our favorite celebrities auditioned for the role as Dorothy. This production could of chosen any of them to lead this star-studded cast, but instead they chose Shanice, a 19-year-old New Jersey. She recently told the New York Times, “My story, I feel like it’s amazing, because it shows people no matter where you come from, no matter what your lifestyle is, your dreams could still come true if you believe in yourself and push hard to do what you want to do.”

 

I felt that I could relate to Shanice in many ways. She is a young woman who decided to leave home to pursue her education and career. Like most of us who make this journey between adolescence and adulthood, she struggled with who she was and what she wanted to be.  She was also crushed when Hollywood didn’t turn out to be the place she expected it to be.

 

Here are some of my takeaways from Shanice’s journey to her role on “The Wiz Live!” that we could all learn from:

 

Don’t be intimidated by the shoulders you stand on. Stephanie Mills and Diana Ross have both played the role as Dorothy, so Shanice definitely had a great pair of slippers to fill. This production has an outstanding lineage that goes beyond the role of Dorothy, which can be an intimidating thing. Many times opportunities come our way but we hesitate to take them because we get intimidated by the thought of living up to it’s predecessor. Do I have what it takes to build on a foundation and make it bigger and better? Being the first to do something is hard, but being a successor is even harder. Shanice reminds us that instead of being intimated, we should be empowered by the chance to fill those shoes. It’s an incredible experience when people trust you and believe that you can take a vision to the next level.

 

Don’t let your lack of experience deter you from trying. When we see job applications they usually outline the years of experience that the potential candidate should have. Many of us see that and we don’t even try. Shanice was just a college student majoring in musical theater when she auditioned for her first professional role. She had no prior experience or even a degree to back her up, but she audition anyway, “for the experience”. Little did she know that she would be the lead in NBC’s third live musical production? Next time you see something that you are interested in pursuing, GO FOR IT! You never know what the outcome will be, but first you have to try and see.

 

Live in the moment. Shanice was excited to work on “The Wiz Live!” with Stephanie Mills who originated this role. When Shanice asked Stephanie for advice, Mills told her to “live in the moment”. We often times get caught on what happened in the past or what we want in the future. We then miss what is happening right now! Sometimes you have to see the good in what’s in front of you and enjoy it.

 

Don’t let life’s obstacles take you off your yellow brick road. Shanice mentioned in an interview that she once felt Los Angeles was the place that she should be, but quickly realized that Hollywood wasn’t her thing so she returned home unsure of how to make her dreams of being an entertainer come true. “This role seemed impossible to me but I auditioned and got the role!” Shanice told EUR Web. Although her route to acting changed, she took a chance and auditioned for “The Wiz Live!” a day after she returned to New Jersey. Sometimes we map out plans for ourselves that don’t always work out the way we imagine. Don’t let the detours in life stop you from achieving your dreams. Sometimes the very obstacle that is thrown our way is the very thing that leads us on the right path towards achieving our dreams.
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