Donovan Williams is a theater major, with a creative writing minor at Western Illinois University (WIU). He often assists WIU play production through set design and backstage support. Williams is also part of the organization, Shades of Vision, which focuses on bringing together a BIPOC theater community. In his spare time, he enjoys taking his thoughts and putting them onto paper, crafting stories to be used as plays, and assisting with The Mirror & the Lamp. In his leisure time, Williams can be seen at the recreational center or various events on campus.

M&L: What is your weekday routine as an English major/minor?

DW: Theatre is my major, so I did not really get involved in the English department until the first semester of my junior year. I try to make it to any English events. I also enjoy participating in clubs such as Mirror & the Lamp and the Creative Writing Critique Club. I love bouncing ideas off of people and getting feedback from others. Plus, I enjoy hearing what ideas other people have.

M&L: What are your weekends like?

DW: A mixture of writing, hanging out with friends, playing video games, working at the Alumni Center at Morgan Hall, sleeping, or a night out on the town.

M&L: What book are all your English peers reading that lies beyond assigned texts for class?

DW: Admittedly, I am terrible when it comes to reading books. Though, I am a huge fan of graphic novels, largely those of Marvel and DC. I think having a visual medium always enhances the experience for me! I suppose pretty pictures stimulate my mind. Haha!

M&L: What book has changed your life as an undergraduate?

DW: Personally, I always like non-fiction books or books focusing on a person’s ideologies. I somewhat struggle with fiction books. Unless it’s short form, I mainly view them as walls of text. Yeah, I suppose that makes me uncultured. But, I can name movies and television shows that changed my life. Movies and television series like Harold & Kumar, Brooklyn 99, South Park, The Simpsons, It’s Always Sunny, Deadpool and Something Wild  all influenced me due to their snappy sense of humor, sense of rebellious energy or making comedy out of mundane situations.

M&L: Where do you hang out on campus?

DW: My room at Corbin-Olson, the theater buildings (Simpkins, Browne/Hainline, Horrabin), The Multicultural Center, The Recreation Center, The Malpass Library, or at the Union. If I’m really bored, I’ll attend some organization meeting to spread my wings and make new friends. For being in the middle of nowhere, this campus surprisingly has a lot to do!

M&L: Where do you hang out off campus?

DW: If I’m off campus, I usually like to visit restaurants like Sports Corner or Los Charros. If I’m really bored, I go to places like the Forum or the Ritz with friends. Or, if I’m back in my hometown, I am usually playing video games, and watching movies.

M&L: What has been or will be your biggest adventure as an undergraduate English major/minor?

DW: I’m getting my work produced. I was actually selected to have one of my plays produced on stage. It makes me happy that my messed-up stories are beloved enough. It’ll be exciting!