"Listen to those who know of what they speak, and ignore those who don’t." - Chatting with Mark William!
Mark William.
It is my biggest honor to introduce you to Mark William. This two-time BroadwayWorld Award winner is a singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and voiceover artist that is based out of New York City. I first met Mark when we performed in a Musical Off-Broadway together called The Love Note but his resume far exceeds that performing in shows Off-Broadway, with Big League Productions and regionally with companies such as The Walnut Street Theatre, The Surflight Theatre, The Wick Theatre, and The Westchester Broadway Theatre. Mark is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Mark is also a Proud AEA Member.
In this industry there are very few people you come across that are truly genuine, good people and that would be an understatement when it comes to discussing the character of Mark William. He is truly one of the best people I have ever met with one of the kindest hearts with endless talent on both the performance and creative side. He is only beginning and I am so excited to see where 2023 and beyond bring him. I am very happy to have the chance to feature him in my interview series for OnStage Blog.
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to do something in music. My mom is a musician and I was singing, dancing, and playing the trumpet regularly all before I was nine years old. The moment I realized that musical theatre was what I wanted to do was when I saw the national tour of Beauty and the Beast in 7th grade.
Where did you study? Do you have any mentors that truly helped you become the wonderful performer you are today?
My professional training was done at Ohio Northern University, which has a great program but isn’t very well known. The faculty is wonderful, but the best part of that experience was that they brought in professional artists from New York and elsewhere to direct, choreograph, and design their shows. The professional relationships I developed there got me my start once I moved to New York. As far as mentors, I’ve had so many amazing people who have led me to where I am. My parents gave me everything I needed to live a good life, and my mom gave me the love of music and the work ethic to pursue it. Aside from them, my most important mentor has been my manager, Preston Ridge. Our meeting was truly decided by fate because both of us had to make a conscious decision to stop, turn around, and go back to make it happen. He saw my potential in a single glance and has helped shape every facet of the artist into whom I’ve grown. He also directs and produces my nightclub acts, which is the main way we’ve been building my profile. I owe him more than I can express.
Your voice truly knocks me out. What inspires you and who are your biggest influences?
Thank you! I love to listen to and watch artists in general, so I have a pretty wide array of influences. They range from Broadway classics like Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur to contemporary Broadway performers like Rob McClure and Leslie Odom Jr. to popular singers of the past like Steve Lawrence, Peter Allen, and Judy Garland, to current pop artists like Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Lady Gaga. I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m always paying attention and taking note of different sounds and styles that I like. That’s how I keep my performances fresh - I’m always playing with the material to find what MY version of each song is.
Are there any performances that you have done in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?
I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great show experiences. Some of my favorites would be My first tour, My Fair Lady, which took me to Singapore and all around China; Young Frankenstein at Walnut Street Theatre, in which I got my equity card and first worked with Charles Abbott, with whom I’m now writing a musical; and my own nightclub act, each performance of which is its own highlight. I just premiered my latest act, Mark William: Technicolor Dreams, on December 10th and the response was incredible. Having luminaries like Warren Carlyle, Bruce Sussman, and Sandy Duncan shower you with praise is certainly an experience to treasure!
What advice would you give any young performers wanting a career in the performing arts?
This question always requires a balance of encouragement and reality. If you really love the performing arts, do it. But know that it is A LOT of work, and it always will be, whether you’re an unknown beginner or a movie star. Natural talent only gets you so far, so be ready to study and practice and do theatre for free on top of your day jobs to build your resume. No one’s experience is the same, but don’t assume you’re going to be the overnight discovery. Those careers seldom, if ever, actually happen overnight. All that being said, if you have the passion and the work ethic to make it happen, the performing arts rewards its artists in ways no other job can. Believe in yourself, listen to those who know of what they speak, and ignore those who don’t.
Up next for Mark will be performing in Broadway Bound: The Musicals That Never Came To Broadway at 54 Below on February 15th. For more information visit -https://54below.com/events/broadway-bound-the-musicals-that-never-came-to-broadway-part-three/
And to learn more about Mark and his career, make sure you visit his official website at -https://www.markwilliamnyc.com