First Steps in Play: Cultivating Resilience and Growth
- Jeremy Williams
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
Editor’s Note: This is Post 1 of 13 in the series.
I still remember the first day I stepped onto a professional stage as a young artist—equal parts awe and quiet determination. I wanted to be everywhere at once: acting, helping backstage, learning from every role I could, and diving into the work of theatre in all its forms.
I was born and raised in Central Arkansas, and my professional path began at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre (now the AR Museum of Fine Arts) and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Early on I also started teaching, which sparked a lifelong love of learning—adapting to new roles, sharing fundamentals with emerging artists, and refining my craft with each project.
Alice in Wonderland, September 1995 featuring Jeremy Williams at the Mad Hatter. Photos by Dixie Knight. Courtesy of the archive at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
From there, my work carried me to Louisville, KY—first gig: the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, where I later served as a Resident Artist. Louisville is also where I founded my first dance company (Rhythms of Life Dance Co.) and received my first grant (the Kentucky Individual Artist Award for choreography).
I earned my MFA from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, moved to New York City to deepen collaborative practice, and today I’m based in Oaxaca, Mexico—continuing to build work that bridges art, education, and community.
Over 30 years, adaptability has helped—but two core practices have kept me moving:
Resilience — staying grounded and flexible amid uncertainty: making new work with limited resources, nurturing communities, turning a “no” into a thoughtful “yes,” and navigating the unknown with integrity.
Growth — expanding vision and craft with intention: investing in professional development, refining ideas through feedback, discovering new pathways to reach goals, building audiences, and scaling projects for meaningful impact.
My dream was always to be devoted to process, not fixed outcomes—trusting that the work itself, done with others, would yield exceptional results. And it has.
Along the way, I’ve created, directed, and produced work from Arkansas to New York and beyond—including BABEL, an Off-Broadway limited run (2017) presented by the 14th Street Y.
As Founder and Producing Director of Convergences Theatre Collective (since 2008), I’ve helped steward a community that has developed 150+ productions, advancing diverse voices and collaborative practice. Formed as a collective without a physical or geographic home, we’ve produced and presented in 8 U.S. cities and internationally in Canada and Mexico. Our hybrid model—a mix of live productions, residencies, and digital programming—has grown a global audience across 6 continents and 46 countries.
Beyond producing, my national service includes program consulting/producing with Dance/USA on Engaging Dance Audiences and with the Doris Duke Foundation. There, I led a multimillion-dollar portfolio—Building Demand for the Arts—spanning 56 collaborative projects in contemporary dance, jazz, and theater. Grantees reported growth—in audiences, funders, and community partners—exceeding original goals.
I also convened peer communities of artists and cultural leaders through the Arts Program and the Building Bridges Program, which elevates U.S. Muslim storytelling to foster mutual understanding and well-being—including Walk with Amal, one of New York City’s largest public art events to date.
Images from The Walk featuring Little Amal, a twelve-foot puppet of a young Syrian refugee girl who journeyed across NYC to spark conversations about human rights and belonging.
These outcomes matter to me because they show what play and practice can do at scale: build ensembles, widen access, and connect local stages to global communities. It continues to be a joyful, surprising cycle of learning and unlearning.
As I mark this 30-year milestone, I’m gathering these practices, stories, and tools into a new home—so we can explore them together, put them to work, and grow their impact.
Introducing Studio Notes
That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce Studio Notes, a space where curiosity, creativity, and reflection meet. Designed for artists, educators, and leaders—anyone who shapes, guides, and inspires creative work—Studio Notes is a place to peek behind the curtain, explore tools and practices that fuel imagination, and reflect on what keeps us resilient, inspired, and growing in our work and lives.
At the heart of Studio Notes is this blog: Play with Purpose: Practices for Resilience and Growth. Each post is crafted to spark creativity, encourage experimentation, and remind us of the joy and power of play—because play isn’t just for kids. It’s the foundation of every act of creation, the secret ingredient in how we build meaningful connections, lead with intention, and keep moving forward even when challenges arise.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical approaches, or a gentle nudge to try something new, Studio Notes is here to guide, provoke, and invite you into a playful, purposeful practice of growth—for your work, your teams, and your own creative journey.
Monthly Themes — year at a glance
September: Improvisation & Hospitality
October: Accidents & Accents
November: Listening & Compassion
December: Rest & Silence
January: Collaboration & Ensemble
February: Embodied Imagination
March: Meditation & Dharma Art
April: Developmental Perspective
May: Humility & Discipline
June: Building Audiences & Cross-Sector Partnerships
July: Impact & Evaluation
August: Harmony & Discord
View the infographics below for full descriptions of each theme and how they can inspire your creative practice.
Play and practice are at the heart of creativity. When we approach our work and our lives with playful curiosity, we not only transform our own practices, we also influence our communities and the world around us—expanding what’s possible through connection, imagination, and thoughtful action.
What’s Inside Studio Notes
As I celebrate my 30th year in the performing arts, Studio Notes brings together reflections, tools, and stories from my career to inspire and support artists, educators, and leaders. Here’s what you can expect as a member:
Monthly Blog Posts: Deep dives into themes that shape creative practice, leadership, and personal growth. Each post explores multiple facets of a theme, paired with examples and stories from my work. Creativity is not just about acquiring new skills—it’s about unlearning—releasing blocks and letting go of what is not serving us in this moment, a practice equally as important as learning.
Creative & Contemplative Prompts: Exercises designed to spark new thinking, reflection, and experimentation in your own work and life.
Personal Stories & Bonus Content: Short, multi-media stories sharing examples, insights, and behind-the-scenes moments from my work.
Book Club: Each month, explore a carefully selected reading with opportunities to engage in conversation both live and when you’re available. Join our live Zoom gatherings to discuss ideas in real time, or share your thoughts and reflections at a pace that works for you.
Are you ready to play?
Explore these themes, join a community of passionate creators, and deepen your practice of play and purpose. Studio Notes is here to spark curiosity, provoke reflection, and invite you into a playful, purposeful journey.
You’ll get:
✅ Monthly blog + creative & contemplative prompts
✅ Book Club (live on Zoom + when you’re available)
✅ Personal stories & archive access
Join me on the delightful path of learning and unlearning!
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