Charleston Leader

Kendra Williams finds her home in the School of Theatre and Dance

From what she called a “life-plan crisis” to a starring role in the current production of Steel Magnolias, senior Kendra Williams found her home in Marshall’s School of Theatre and Dance.

After originally thinking she would major in biology and chemistry, Kendra realized her heart just wasn’t in it and she really didn’t know what she wanted to do.

“I came into theatre at Marshall with a ‘let’s see what happens’ attitude. I came, took a tour of the facility, and sat in on a class. I loved every bit of it.” said Kendra, a senior from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, who is majoring in theatre, history and psychology, with a minor in criminal justice.

his performance is just one many wonderful experiences Kendra has had while at Marshall. She says she has worked on every show since her freshman year in 2019. Performing in nine shows and working on the crew of five others. She recounts her first acting role as being a strange experience but a great learning opportunity. 

“It was right after COVID hit so everything was different. Not to mention, my first acting role was in a staged radio show, so it was far different to anything I’d ever done before. The most stressful part was when our foley artist got sick and I had to step in as their replacement on the day of the show. I felt very relieved after that was over.”

Playing any role on stage — with lights and all eyes pointed your way — can pose a challenge. There are speaking parts, movements and stage placements to remember, and emotions to emote. But for Kendra who is playing Truvy in Mashall’s current production of Steel Magnolias, there’s an even bigger task to accomplish on stage: doing good hair.

That’s right. Audience members who come to see Marshall’s stage production of Steel Magnolias, which will be performed Feb. 15-18 and Feb. 22-25 in the Frances‐Booth Experimental Theatre of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, will get to watch the beloved Southern tale unfold on stage, but they’ll also get to see Kendra actually styling hair. Sinks, running water, curlers and all.

Original source can be found here