Born in Turks and Caicos, Apriah Williams has come from a tiny island to make a big name for herself at Florida International University as the winner of the 2018 Collegiate National Scenic Design Award presented by the Kennedy Center. Williams, a senior, is currently set designing Boeing Boeing, her final show at FIU Theatre. I was able to sit down with her during Boeing Boeing crunch time to get to know her better and what she was most excited about for the upcoming show.
1. What do you find funny?
Tyler Correa (Prop Master for the show), miniature furniture, things that are out of place, things that go wrong. Spongebob too! I remember when I first came to college, I didn’t have a TV so I would go on Youtube and watch Spongebob for hours. I don’t know. I laugh at life. Life is funny.
2. What is your dream project?
I would be able to die if I were to design a set for one of Rihanna’s concert. Even if it’s just a chair on stage. My life would be so complete. Also, baking a really good, big cake. Like Great British Baking Show. Like Tim Burton theme cake. That’s also design.
3. What was your biggest takeaway from the 2018 Kennedy Center Festival in DC?
One of the things that really stood out to me was experiencing a small community of artists coming together and working with each other and enjoying each other. I consider myself an introvert but it was different there because we all had the same goals, same wants. We got each other. Even if we didn’t really know each other.
4. What is the biggest difference between life in Miami and life in Turks + Caicos?
Turks + Caicos is quiet! You don’t hear cars passing in the street. It’s really slow, really relaxed. You wake up and there’s the beach in your backyard.
5. What is your favorite FIU Theatre memory?
That day we all dressed up as professors. I dressed up as Chris Goslin. And I remember getting here in the morning and we had on the exact same thing. We both had black button down shirts, black jeans. He laughed. That was fun.
6. What would you do if you found out the guy you were dating was seeing two other flight attendants?
That would not be good. I’m the type of person that if I found out and he doesn’t know, I would plot. I would make up a fake name…Michelle, and pretend to be a flight hostess. And set up a date and meet. He thinks he’s going to meet her, and he shows up and it’s me. Now what are you gonna do?
7. Can you share a secret about the set for Boeing Boeing?
On the architect table, there’s Bernard’s drafting. But if you look at it, it’s the actual drafting of the Boeing Boeing set.
Boeing Boeing opens next Friday, February 22nd at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center and runs through March 3rd. Tickets are now on sale. For more information and to reserve your tickets, visit go.fiu.edu/theatre.
