Bio
Tonya Smalls Williams was born in Charleston, SC, but grew up in the small town of Holly Hill, SC; she’s truly a country girl at heart. She permanently moved to Charleston after graduating from The College of Charleston, where she received her BA in Theatre. As an actress, she has had the privilege of performing at Dock Street Theater in A Raisin in the Sun, Footlight Players Theater in Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Threshold Theater in The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Park Housewife, and her most memorable performance at Flowertown Theater, when she performed for the legendary Ossie Davis in his play Purlie Victorious, as the lead female role, Luttiebelle. Her more recent performance includes the musical Love & Southern Discomfort at Charleston Music Hall.
Previous PURE Theatre credits include Retcon (Bearing Witness series), This Random World, and Father Comes Home from the Wars: Part 1, 2, and 3.
Tonya is also a national recording artist (independent). She’s a singer/songwriter (Tonya Nicole) and can be found performing all over the east coast, mainly in Charleston. She performs various genres such as R&B, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Pop, and Gospel. She is also one of the lead singers of the Emerald Empire Music Group in Charleston.
When Tonya is not performing, she teaches Theater Arts as an independent contractor with the non-profit organization Engaging Creative Minds. Tonya is also a former Theater teacher with Charleston County & DD2 Schools. Her passion to teach and inspire drives her each day. She feels truly blessed to be able to enjoy her passions day and night; performing and teaching it.