Screenwriter Angileece Williams `12 Finds Her Voice

By Rich Clark, President


Angi pictured with the star of Life's Poison


When I heard Ann Klonowski’s theology classes were writing essays for a national contest sponsored by Scenarios USA, I felt it was a good exercise for our sophomores and that was that. Months later, I was floored when it was announced that Angileece Williams `12 was one of the three winners and that a short film would be made by a professional director and actors.

If that weren’t enough, I later learned that there would be a world premiere of her film, Life’s Poison, in New York City! I had to go. I invited Fr. Joe Parkes, S.J., president of Cristo Rey New York, to accompany me to the Visual School of the Arts theatre on 23rd Street in Manhattan. In addition to Fr. Parkes and me, Angi’s family, and Ann Klonowski were in attendance for the December 7 premiere of Life’s Poison.

Angi’s film was screened along with three others and then the three young writers came on stage along with their directors. Angileece was the last to speak. She took the podium and began to speak of what the film and process taught her. She shared that during the filming the young man playing the central character came out with a big chain and large cross. Angi did not think that fit the character she had created, but when asked by the director, she shrugged and said it was ok. The assistant director came over to her and told her it was time for her to speak up and make a decision. She did and off came the chain and cross. She said there, for the first time, she found her voice. Prior to this experience she felt voiceless, but now she realized she had a voice and wanted to share it. She hoped that other students, with her help, would find their voice. Many in the packed theatre were brought to tears by Angileece’s words. When she finished, the crowd erupted in the loudest cheers of the night!

There are plans to screen Angileece’s film during the Cleveland Film Festival. We will provide details once they are available. For additional coverage of Angi's film and Scenarios USA, visit http://www.scenariosusa.org/.