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Sitting in her sixth-period statistics class, Harrison School of the Arts senior Cendall Williams froze when her phone buzzed: “Hey, we just got an email from YoungArts … you won.”
“I pretty much ran to my acting teacher’s room to celebrate the good news with him,” Williams said. “He inspired me to apply in the first place.”
Williams submitted her audition as a long shot, never imagining she would be named a Winner with Distinction for theater/musical — one of 734 winners chosen from nearly 13,000 applicants nationwide. Past YoungArts alumni include Oscar winners Jon Batiste and Viola Davis and Golden Globe winner Timothee Chalamet.
Lakeland Roots and Support
Williams’ passion for musical theater started young. Watching her sister perform at Lakeland Community Theatre, she knew instantly that the stage was where she belonged.
“I saw her on stage and said to my mom, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,’” she said. Homeschooled as a child, she tried sports and other activities, but nothing sparked her passion like theater.
Williams credits Harrison teachers and her family for helping her reach this moment.
“My teachers have always pushed me toward my dreams and been brutally honest with me,” she said. “And my mom is entirely to blame for every opportunity I’ve ever had.”
YoungArts Recognition: National Spotlight
The YoungArts award includes participation in National YoungArts Week in Miami, a week of workshops, performances, and mentorship with some of the country’s top young artists.
“Once I got to know people at YoungArts Week, they were inspiring me with their abilities,” Williams said. “We were all learning from each other, and it reminded me to watch what other performers are doing and keep growing.”
One particularly memorable session was with Broadway performer Brandon Victor Dixon, known for “The Lion King” and “Rent Live.” He spoke about overcoming blocks and pushing through challenges, lessons Williams said changed how she approaches her craft.
“Sometimes the things that are stopping you from hitting a note are mental blocks,” she said. “He talked us through it, and his stories were so inspiring.
Looking Ahead: College and Theater Dreams
Williams is preparing for her next major role, Marlena in “Water for Elephants,” while planning for college and a professional theater career. The YoungArts award, she said, has made her dreams feel achievable.
“This doesn’t feel like a dream anymore. It feels like a career path,” she said.
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