Shanice Williams is an American actress and singer. She is known for her performance as the outspoken Johnnie Mae in The Six Triple Eight.
Early life and education She grew up in Rahway, New Jersey, until her last year in high school. She then moved to and attended high school in Rahway, New Jersey. Her mother, Andrea Holmes, is a postal worker; and her father, Shelton Williams, is a security guard.
She attended Rahway High School, where she performed as part of her school's drama program.Hyman, Vicki. Also Studied in the arts at Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn Nj. "N.J. newcomer Shanice Williams cast as Dorothy in NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 5, 2015. Accessed December 4, 2015. "A little over a year ago, Shanice Williams was making her last curtain call at Rahway High School. Now the 18-year-old is the face of NBC's The Wiz Live!, following in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood and Allison Williams as the star of network's annual musical extravaganza, beating out hundreds of unknowns for the coveted role of Dorothy."
Williams studied briefly at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, but began her singing career in her grandfather's choir.
Career Her first major break was playing the role of Dorothy in The Wiz Live!, a televised program based on the 1975 Broadway theatrical production, The Wiz. Williams was selected for the role through an open casting call when she was 18 years old, which was a collaboration between NBC and the theatrical division of Cirque du Soleil.
In 2017 Williams starred in the HBO film Manic. For her role in this film, she won best actress in a drama at the New York Television Festival and best actress in a drama at SeriesFest.
In 2018 Williams made her New York stage and Off-Broadway debut in Little Rock, a play about the Little Rock Nine. A year later, Williams was cast as Little Red Riding Hood in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods which ran July 26–28.
Filmography + Film and television roles Year Title Role Notes 2015 The Wiz Live! Dorothy Gale Television film 2017 Manic Aurora Short film 2018 Sunny Day Lulu Episode: "Clowning Around" 2019–2020 Perfect Harmony Leanne 10 episodes 2021 The Last O.G. Felicia Episode: "The Negotiator" 2024 The Six Triple Eight Johnnie Mae
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