From performing in Rent and Aida to directing The Notebook and The Wiz, Schele Williams has built a legacy not only through what she’s accomplished, but through how she leads.
In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa and Schele sit down to discuss how the discipline, heart, and conviction she’s carried through her career have shaped the way she shows up.
What You’ll Learn:
Why representation behind the table can change the entire story.
How to shift from scarcity to a purpose-driven mindset.
What it takes to overcome stage fright and own your voice.
Why your peers aren’t your competition, but your inspiration.
Whether you're navigating your own creative path or redefining leadership in any industry, this conversation is a masterclass that will leave you thinking bigger and rooting harder for the people around you.
00:00 Intro
00:43 Meet Schele Williams
01:44 Getting Started in the Arts
07:41Love for the Arts
09:21 Transitioning from Performer to Director
10:45 Her First Directing Opportunity
13:40 Comparing the Roles of Performer and Director
18:33 How Performing Shaped Her Directing Style
21:47 What She Had to Learn to Become a Great Director
23:08 Building Her Leadership Style
25:17 Handling Rejection and Staying Confident
28:28 The Power of Community and Peer Support
32:11 Creating Work You’re Proud Of (Even If Others Don’t Get It)
35:47 Learning to Lead Diverse Teams
38:50 Advice for Overcoming Stage Fright
41:46 Applying Storytelling Across Roles
43:49 How Broadway Is Evolving
50:22 Theater’s Role in Expanding Perspective
53:09 Breaking Barriers in Broadway Leadership
54:54 Writing Your Legacy for the Next Generation
57:20 What’s Ahead and Her Advice for Confidence
58:42 Outro
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E-Mail: inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com