Get Recognized for Your Creativity

University of Mary Washington students are creative in all aspects of their academic careers, but it is most evident in the arts programs. Artists and performers showcase their talents at performances and exhibitions throughout the year. Taylor Williams' creativity is award winning, having been recognized by the New Voices for the Theater competition.

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Taylor Williams had barely arrived at UMW before he was taking his first bows as a playwright. During his freshman year, the Richmond, Va., native’s original play, The World at Large, was performed on stage after winning the New Voices for the Theater High School Play Competition.

The comedic drama, which was performed at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Va., follows the frustrated and bored protagonist’s journey from self-absorption to reality.

“It was interesting to see the play given more time,” he said. “It had a new energy to it.”

Williams, a sophomore, became interested in playwriting during high school, but his theater involvement has flourished at Mary Washington.

An English and theatre double major, Williams has written for UMW’s 24-hour play festival and acted in productions of Far Away, She Stoops to Conquer, and Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet).

He’s also written a play that he will direct for Studio 115, Mary Washington’s student-run blackbox theater.

Due in part to his experience at Mary Washington, Williams hopes to pursue playwriting and acting as a career.

“The theatre department forces you to expand your boundaries,” he said, “and the acting classes at UMW allow you to have different perspectives on characters.”

Even outside of the theatre department, he has found inspiration for his playwriting endeavors.

 “English professor Dr. James Harding’s dramatic literature course has expanded my vision of plays,” Williams said.