Musical Theater with Amanda W.

Amanda Williams started at Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2019 and is the Director of Theatre and Kreft Arts. Professor Williams directs the fall theater production, Boar's Head Festival, the spring musical production, oversees student productions and teaches theater-related courses. She is also the director of event planning for the Kreft Arts Center. Outside of CUAA, she directs locally with groups such as Milan High School, Centerstage Productions, and Horizon Performing Arts. She received her bachelor's from Eastern Michigan University (2016) and her master's from Bowling Green State University (2018) under a full-tuition scholarship. She studied at Utah Vocal Arts Academy, in Graz, Austria with AIMS, and was a young artist with Pittsfield Opera Theatre. She has received coaching from renowned artists such as Dawn Upshaw, Elizabeth Baldwin, Eric Gibson, Monica Swartout-Bebow, and Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers. Her awards include the Sherley Vertte Young Artists Honorable Mention in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition, Graduate Division Second Place in the Conrad Art Song Competition, and Junior Division Second Place in the NATS Regional Competition. Likewise, she has enjoyed an active performing career in the community and internationally. She has performed with local groups such as Toledo Opera, UMGASS, and Comic Opera Guild. Her favorite roles include Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Adele in Die Fledermaus, and Griselda in The Free Lance. She performed in several premiere performances and premiere recordings. Additionally, she was the soprano soloist and section leader at Dixboro United Methodist Church. Outside of theatre, she spends time with her family and Scottish Terrier, Prince. She enjoys swimming, decorating, refinishing vintage furniture, bike riding, reading, and traveling.