'Hamilton' performer inspires, energizes, educates Valley High drama students

Breathing is something most people do without thinking about it. But for a performer on stage, breathing correctly is paramount.

Drama students who gathered at Valley High School in New Kensington learned that lesson directly from a professional Wednesday morning.

Nikisha Williams, a member of the “Hamilton” touring company now performing in Pittsburgh, conducted a class for Valley’s drama club students.

“Breathing and intention are the biggest components of theater,” Williams said after her class in the school’s auditorium. The class included the entire cast of the school’s upcoming spring musical “Newsies,” along with seven students from Riverview School District.

Valley High School students perform a number from their upcoming musical, Newsies, as Hamilton touring cast member Nikisha Williams listens. Williams held a class at the school the morning after Hamilton opened in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/vtHsIz3Dom

— Brian Rittmeyer (@BCRittmeyer) February 23, 2022

Williams, 32, an Alabama native, has been touring with “Hamilton” since October 2018, as a member of the ensemble and understudy for female lead roles.

“Hamilton” opened Tuesday at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh and runs through March 13.

A working performer for about a decade, Williams said she was impressed by the abilities of the Valley students.

“I’m excited about ‘Newsies,’” she said. “I wish I could see it.”

At the start of the class, she jumped down from the stage to talk with students. She worked one-on-one in front of the group with six students, who performed portions of their characters’ songs from “Newsies” and listened to them sing as a group.

Members of Valley High's cast of "Newsies" perform a group number for Hamilton cast member Nikisha Williams. pic.twitter.com/pbMPoUZiIE

— Brian Rittmeyer (@BCRittmeyer) February 23, 2022

Despite running over on time, she took several questions about the life she leads that some of the students may want for themselves.

“If it’s something you want to do and you’re passionate about, it’s worth a try,” she said.

The students were treated to Williams performing the song “Satisfied” from “Hamilton.” She invited them to contact her through Instagram if they have more questions.

“I want to be a resource for you guys,” she said, promising and delivering on a relaxed atmosphere without any pressure. “We’re here to learn. I want to help in any way that I can.”

John Bertucci runs the musical theater program at Riverview, where they will stage “The Little Mermaid” at the end of March. He and his students were invited to the class by Brian Krugle, who is in charge of Valley’s drama club, and Valley’s musical director, Chris Pastrick.

“We thought this would be beneficial to expose them,” Bertucci said. “This is a great opportunity for them.”

The value of the opportunity was not lost on the Valley students, who said Williams’ advice will improve their performances of “Newsies,” scheduled for April 21-24.

“It would have been good before,” said Aiden Henry, 16, a junior from Arnold. “We’re all more confident. This was definitely a huge help to us.”

Henry said Williams’ advice on breathing was a game changer.

“Once I got the breathing down, I felt more confident,” he said. “You have so much more confidence when you get the breathing down. You are the character.”

Williams’ advice on breathing pertained not only to performing on stage but to calming nerves backstage, a lesson Devin Bryant, 16, a junior from New Kensington, picked up on to handle stage fright.

“This whole experience was fantastic. I learned so much,” he said. “It helps prepare me for the show.”

Caytlynne Cronauer, 18, a senior from New Kensington, had a nerve-wracking start to her day after waking up late because, of all the days, her alarm didn’t go off. But she got to the class on time.

While working with Cronauer, Williams said they have to keep going with the show and to “own the stage” even if their voice cracks or they forget words.

“She made it seem it’s OK for it not to be perfect,” Cronauer said. “After today, I feel more confident. It might be a little bit easier now.”

Krugle said Williams spent more one-on-one time with the students than he expected.

“It was a great learning opportunity for the kids,” he said. “They hear things from us all the time. To get instruction from someone who, this is what her life is, is something they won’t soon forget.”

Asked what advice she would give to students with an interest in theater who did not get to see her, Williams said: “I would say no matter where you start, just start. If you want to do this, use any resource you have available to you. Ask as many questions as you can so those people can help you get there.”