Meet Eric R. Williams of New York City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric R. Williams.

Hi Eric R., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins at A. Philip Randolph Elementary School in Atlanta, GA when I was tasked with the responsibility of leading my 1st grade class’s production of Hansel & Gretel as “Hansel” in the famous duo. I have vivid memories of studying my lines at the dinner table and being ridiculously nervous when it came time to perform for all of the other 1st grade classes and teachers. That’s where the seed for acting was planted and it became a through-line from elementary school up to my time at the premiere performing arts school of Atlanta, GA: Tri-Cities High School.

Tri-Cities had already boasted a starry roster of alumni that included Keenan Thompson, OutKast and Xscape amongst others, so while there, a fierce notion of discipline and work ethic was instilled into my classmates and I, through class study and intense after-school rehearsal schedules. It was there I knew the possibility of doing this craft professionally was a reality that could come to pass for me as well. During a Theatre department Spring Break trip to NYC my freshman year, I was introduced to the lights of Broadway, where we attended various workshops and classes and also saw 3 Broadway shows, including the iconic Jonathan Larsen musical “Rent.” It was during this time where I fell in love with the city at large and knew in my heart of hearts I would call it home in the future.

As I continued my training as a performing artist, I graduated from Tri-Cities H.S. to the Theatre Dept. of the illustrious Howard University in Washington DC. With my concentration being in Musical Theatre, the intersection of music, dance and acting was something I wanted to hold onto. Furthermore, attending an HBCU after graduating from an environment where I was surrounded by people that looked like me was even more important for me to hold onto. Howard showed me what it meant to be an artist in a field that is fiercely competitive and commenced to shape the beginnings of my professional career as an artist in the theatre.

After fulfilling my degree requirements from Howard, I soon realized the dream of moving to NYC, fresh with BFA in hand and a couple of professional credits in the DC Theatre scene to my name. The big goal was to be an actor that worked across mediums — stage, television, film, commercials — and almost 15 years later, that is what has come to pass and continues to do so, ever so thankfully.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say the road has been as smooth as a cobblestone driveway in the Meat Packing District, dusted with gravel and sand! As creatives, in general, I would say the road is never smooth. Even for the nepo-babies among us, it isn’t exactly smooth. There are parts that are smoother than others, but this is a journey of constant evolution and every level comes with new devils.

Personally, the more recent part of my journey has seen me work more in the television and film space, which was the hardest summit to reach. I remember hearing stories about how many actors I’ve admired speak about going through spells where they didn’t work for multiple years sometimes. Now I am one of those actors, which I take as another notch on my belt. Another moment of saying I paid my dues. No one often talks about what it’s like to go from being booked and busy to wondering when the next audition or offer is coming through the inbox, but it is something that I know is common. I know droughts don’t last forever, so it is only a matter of time until the pendulum swings the other way.

Since the world has reached the half-decade mark of our post-Pandemic modern times, struggling to evolve alongside the direction of where I think the business is or isn’t going has kept my head on swivel. Thankfully, a grounding meditation practice keeps me from feeling discouraged about it when things feel bleak, but it has also opened me up to different ways to continue to blaze my own trail and as I continue to discover what that is, it has felt quite satisfying. Lots of lemons to just-right lemonade.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a multi-hyphenate. A creator through and through. My work exists in the written form as a writer — something I don’t do too often, but am proficient enough to know how to do well. Mainly, it exists with me as a performing artist, expressing that discipline as an actor, a singer and a dancer, whether individually or simultaneously.

Those who have seen my work have met me in it at various parts of my unfolding career, so there are those that know me from the stage and those that know me from the screen. There are also those that know me from my social media presence. Whatever the introduction, I’m always grateful for the support.

At this point in my career, I’m most proud of simply realizing the dreams that I came to the city with. Though the levels at which I wish to see them live on is in constant progress, I’ve done the work to make manifest of what I once dreamed of for myself and I continue to do so for the future. I’d say that’s part of what sets me a part. My persistence toward seeing the vision through. In this business, people often burn out before they reach that turning point, but I refuse to let that be my outcome because I know what God has for me. I’m also simply me: one of one, like everyone else. Being aware of that energy makes space for continuing to move forward and at the end of the day, whether it be for a gig, a relationship or association, I’m either for you or I’m not. We all have our flavors, right?

What was your favorite childhood memory?
This question brings about a vast array of memories to select from, so it is difficult to land on just one.

I can say the memories that hold alot of joy from my childhood for me are those that saw me fully realized in being free of care and the ones I hold dear. My first time going to Disney World and the other theme parks in Central Florida with my family, experiencing the offerings of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta with my mother and younger brother. Any and all memories I have access to in my mindspace that feel dipped in unbridled joy and wonderment are my favorite childhood memories and I do my best to revisit those feelings of joy often as an adult.

I was fortunate enough to have a full childhood that kept me as the child until the proper milestones of adolescence began to reveal themselves. Due to this, I often find myself humored about how friends of mine talk about some of the music or films they watched as a kid and I reply “Ooh, I’m not familiar.” Why was I not familiar? While some of them were watching “Friday,” I was probably watching Pokémon; a franchise that continues to bring me joy at my adult age and joy is ageless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericrwilliams.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allfreshairic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialericrwilliams
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/allfreshairic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EricRWilliams

Image Credits
Jessica Osber Photography