JKTS Chat: More with CINDERELLA's Cody Williams

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Cody as Will at Arena Stage

Last time we heard from Cody Williams, he and the entire Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella company were just getting ready to start previews.  (Click HERE to read that interview!)  He's been a pretty busy guy, but not too busy to talk a little more with me.  This time around, he talks about working with some of the biggest names in the business, what he'd like to talk to Rodgers and Hammerstein about, and he reveals how he keeps in shape during previews AND rehearsals.  PLUS, he shares some fun pictures and an x-ray!  (Yes, you read that right!)  AND he also answers a few of YOUR questions!  Now, here's...

5 MORE QUICK QUESTIONSFOR CODY WILLIAMS
ONEJEFF: Lasttime we chatted, you expressed how exciting it is to create a role versus goinginto a running show.  So, now that you've been through the bulk ofrehearsals for Cinderella, what would you say has been the biggestsurprise of the process?  The biggest challenge?
CODY: The biggestsurprise of the process happened one day during rehearsal for a dance numbercalled “The Pursuit.”  At one point inthe number, I slide stage left into the proscenium, quickly jump up, run stageright, and jump over cast member, Branch Woodman, as he is running directly atme.  We had done this same sequence inthe workshop, so Branch and I were familiar with each other.  However, in this rehearsal something aboutthe timing seemed off.  To my surprise, Inever touched the ground after jumping over Branch.  I found myself sitting six feet up on the topof his head!!! 
As for thebiggest challenge, it is learning the two roles (Prince Topher and Jean-Michel)that I understudy.  There are somemoments in the show that I have never seen performed because I am eitheronstage or changing, so I am really excited to start understudy rehearsals!
TWOJEFF: You have had the chance to work with some real big names in thebusiness with this show.  What have you learned from the creative teamthat you feel you will carry with you for the rest of the career?  
CODY: There are so many things I havelearned from them!!!!  The most importantlesson I have learned is to be friendly and kind to everyone.  The creative team showed me that the way towork in theater is to know the business/be friends with everyone, know how youfit in the business/be friends with everyone, and have some sort of talent/befriends with everyone.  When you thinkabout it, a person only has two reasons to cast you: they like you, or theythink you can make them money.  It isinevitable that people will annoy others when trying to build a show.  By proactively becoming friends with everyone,you will have much more fun, solve problems easier, feel better about yourself,have more success, and so much more!  Ican’t tell you how important this is!

Cody Williams and June Schreiner (Willand Ado) in Arena Stage’s Oklahoma!

THREEJEFF: Were Rodgers and Hammerstein alive today and working on theshow, what questions would you have for them?  As an actor (and, I assume,fan) what would like to say to them?
CODY: I would love to hear them share theirinsights and secrets on their work.  Canyou imagine how enlightening it would be to hear them describe how they wrote asong like “Impossible”?  When I wasworking on Oklahoma! at Arena Stage,our dramaturg showed us a map that Lynn Riggs had drawn for Richard Rodgers inrehearsal.  It showed where all of theplaces in Oklahoma! were in relationto each other.  I would love to haveRodgers and Hammerstein draw a map of Cinderella’sworld.   Knowing how long it takes you to walk or rideto a location makes entering a scene much more truthful.  You are given so much as an actor when youknow this information.
FOURJEFF: You are in a large cast full of relative newcomers mixed withsome seasoned stage veterans.  What have you learned from the veterans?  
CODY: Not too long after I moved to New York, I was extremely lucky tohave been cast in a workshop of Yank!. Years of acting classes had taught me enough to get cast in shows, but bydoing Yank!, I got to see firsthandhow the pros did it.  The entire cast was incredible.  I like toconsider my time watching and working with Santino Fontana, Bobby Steggert,Tally Sessions, Morgan Spector, Tyler Maynard, Michael Berresse and CoryMichael Smith (just to name a few!) as my grad school.  Those guys taughtme how it was done.  I owe so much of my recent success to thatexperience.  R + H's Cinderellahas given me the most amazing opportunity of understudying Santino.  I getto study his every move and walk in his footsteps.  It has been such ahuge learning experience.

Such a great show!!!

FIVEJEFF: Now that you are in the midst of previews and rehearsals, whatkind of routine do you have to keep up your strength, stamina and generalhealth?  I imagine two show days can be grueling!  What kinds ofexercises do you do to maintain/prevent injuries, given that you sing, danceand play a raccoon?
CODY: First and foremost, I have to get enough sleep.  Withoutthat everything falls apart.  Since I tend to stay up pretty late; napsare my saving grace.  To warm up for the show, I spend about 20 minutesdoing dynamic movements, yoga flows, a ballet barre, and stretching.  Atintermission, I throw a back handspring or two and make sure my legs are stillwarm.   Vocally, I warm up by doing a few exercises.  I try to take aweekly voice lesson too.  Shameless Plug: I have the most incredible voiceteacher.  He is the reason I have booked work.  If you are lookingfor someone, message me on Twitter @odyilliams and I will put you in contact!
Cody, here are a few questions from readers!
1.  Favorite junk food/fast food?  Favorite healthyfood?
CODY: I LOVE the chocolate pizza at Max Brenner, but I am staying faraway from it because I have to respect the unitard.  To stay healthy, Ieat at Chopt about every day.
2.  Favorite sport to watch?  Play? Want to try?
CODY: My favorite sport is Mixed Martial Arts.  UFC fight nightsare my favorite!  Alexander Aguilar (LysistrataJones, Memphis) and Josh Segarra(Dogfight, Lysistrata Jones) are my fight night buddies.  I used to trainMMA when I was in college, but I broke my collarbone sparring.  Alexactually took me to get a plate and six screws put in.  Until I get thosetaken out, I will stick to dancing.

Cody Williams as a white belt

Josh Segarra, Cody Williams, and Alexander Aguilar

6 Screws... 1 Collarbone 

3.  Who is the biggest influence in your life so far andwhy?
CODY: That is an extremely hard question to answer.  My familyhas raised and cared for me.  My teachers have helped me become the personI wanted to be.  My friends have enriched my life.  If I would haveto pick one person, I might say my older cousin Warren. The summer before I started 3rd grade, 6'7" sports star Warren toldme that he swam 100 laps without stopping.  He bet me that I couldn't dothe same.  The next day I went to the pool, put on my goggles, and startedswimming.  At adult swim I completely ignored the lifeguard.  I swamfor hours!  At 100 laps I was feeling strong so I started for the nexthundred.  At 127, my mother who was tired of sitting in the sun told meWarren had been kidding!  I went home and slept for two days.  Thatexperience influenced the rest of my life.  It taught me that if I gavesomething my all, I could accomplish anything.
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS COURTESY OF CODY WILLIAMS

• Have a question for Cody?  Email it to: jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me: @jkstheatrescene and I'll pass it on!
• Read more about Cody' pal, Josh Segarra, by clicking on the "JKTS CHAT: The Interviews" tab at the top of the blog and scroll down to Josh's links!

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