“Just keep going” with Sharrod Williams
Sharrod Williams is a multi-hyphenate based in New York City. Proud Montclair State University graduate, self-proclaimed Broadway star, and Capricorn in all the best ways. Sharrod recently completed his run playing Pierre in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. His favorite credits include Broadway: Hamilton (Chicago), CATS, and Tuck Everlasting. Off-Bway: Grand Hotel (Encores!). Tours: A Chorus Line, Bring It On: The Musical. Regional: Kennedy Center, Muny, TUTS, Asolo Rep. Dance Companies: The Chase Brock Experience, Doug Elkins and Friends, Life Dance Company, and the Von Howard Project. TV: “Neighbors” (EP, creator, writer, lead), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, GMA, The Today Show. Film: Better Nate Than Ever (Disney+), Every Right (EP, lead, editor), and Happy Yummy Chicken.
Sharrod has led master classes and choreographed for studios and esteemed organizations including the Joffrey Ballet School, The Institute of American Musical Theatre, Broadway Connection, Stage Door Workshops, and Educational Performance Tours. His favorite quote is, “Just keep going”. You can find Sharrod at @SharrodSharrod7 and his website.
What are you best known for?
In a new and exciting way, I feel like there are multiple ways to approach the idea of “best known for”. These days, I feel I am best known for my determination. My unwavering desire to make things happen, create my own lane and rise. My multi-hyphenate approach to work and life. Being willing to do the work and reinvent myself. Leaning into this part of myself is what has led to full life and career including 4 Broadway shows, TV and Film projects, Dance, and Producing projects. I’d like to think one day, my series Neighbors will continue to grow and I’ll be best known for that!
What was the first time you acted in a production?
As a child, I made my onstage debut playing “Travis” in Lorraine Hansberry’s award-winning play, A Raisin in the Sun. It was a twist of fate how I was chosen to do the show at my local community Theater. I don’t remember auditioning for it at all. Somewhere along the way, I learned I (and a fellow classmate at the time who shared the role/ performance load with me) were chosen to do the play because we had the highest grades in the class. So we afford to miss school on certain days for performances and not fall behind. That is also a testament to the trust in the talent level of the students at the Newark Boys Chorus School where the production found us.
I remember it being so exciting and cool having to leave school early to go perform. I think it pushed me as well to step out of my comfort zone having to do something I has no prior experience in. I remember my whole family came to see me perform and them being so proud. I’ll never forget the show had a full-page spread in the local newspaper, the Star Ledger. But strangely enough, that didn’t launch me into my career as an actor at all. Just a moment in time. But I like to think of it as an unknowing manifestation of what was to come for me later on in life.
What are you working on that no one knows about?
Well, I have so many dreams and goals for projects I’d love to create, produce, and share with the world. But I guess the secret tea of it all is that it would fall under my dream production company, Cocoa Dusted Media. The idea of “cocoa dusting” symbolizes the unique magic that people of color sprinkle into everything they do in life. Content would be produced in the TV, Film, Audio, and Publishing spaces. CDM’s first brainchild is the award-winning series, Neighbors. I believe my superpower is connecting with people. Making them laugh, feel seen, and heard I want to continue to create art that highlights that important part of humanity. Share stories for and by queer folks and people of color.