Jim Williams

"A slacker wrapped in ambition" - Jon

"Nobody ever told me, I found out for myself:  You gotta believe in foolish miracles."  Ozzy

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."  Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka

Who are you?

James Richard Williams Jr, Lovable Curmudgeon Extraordinaire.

What do you do for Elmwood Productions, and how did you first get involved?

A little bit of this, a little bit of that... well, not too much of that...

The crew will tell you that I am the voice guy, so I guess I do voices.  I also attempt to utilize my meager training and direct a thing or two.  At some point in time, it was decided that I am a writer too, so I have been know to do that on occasion.  I met Jon at Borders.  We talked, found out we shared similar passions (mostly Muppets, Prince, and Guns N Roses) and here we are today...

Tell us a little more about your background…

I have been singing and acting since I was 8 years old, and have made a fair life out of it.  I decided that I didn't like the atmosphere or the time away from home that a life in the theatre provided, so I decided to settle down and get married, a decision that I have never once regretted, although I am sure my wife has a few times.  I love puppetry and performance and am really excited about exploring new mediums.

What other (outside of Elmwood) projects and events are you involved with?

Well, Jon shanghaied into memberships with both the Puppeteers of America and the CT Puppetry Guild.  I am also a rampant geek, and run a large Vampire the Masquerade Live Action Role-playing Group in New Britain.  I am also lead singer in Black House, the best band that you will probably never hear play out because we're lazy and mentally erratic.

Now the Silly Questions:
 
 Fave Movie?
 
The Empire Strikes Back, Groundhog Day, and the Great Escape.  Great movies, all.
 
 Book?
 
The Hobbit by: J.R.R. Tolkein
 
 Song?
 
You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones.  While not a huge Stones fan, that particular song has been an anthem in my life.
 
 Food?

Good, Strong, Black Coffee.  Good, Strong Irish whiskey.  And Coca Cola, although too much makes me psychotic.  It's not the sugar.  There is an ingredient that makes me psychotic.  It's weird.