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Acclaimed dancer and choreographer-to-the-stars Ebony Williams, a Dorchester native, may not be a household name, but many have seen popular artists from Alicia Keys to Doja Cat dancing to her moves, and have seen her at work on multiple platforms, including in music videos. Most notably, she was one of two backup dancers matching Beyoncé move-for-move in the iconic 2009 MTV video of the year, for the song “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” which led to Williams touring with Beyoncé and even performing at the Super Bowl with her. When she’s not choreographing routines for popular artists, Broadway shows, or movies, Williams choreographs campaigns for global brands from Alice + Oliva to Lululemon. Currently, she is the head choreographer for the play “Toni Stone,” at the Huntington Theatre through June 16. Written by Lydia R. Diamond, the play is about a St. Paul woman named Toni Stone. Known as baseball’s “female Jackie Robinson,” she was the first woman to play professional baseball on a men’s team in the Negro League. Williams, who lives in New Jersey, said in a recent phone call during a break in rehearsals that she has been busy doing research “on certain gestures and things that were popular during the 1940s . . . using movements of the time to make sure that we are staying true to the story line.” As an example, Williams said the way the players celebrated when they hit home runs nearly a century ago was different than they do now. “They didn’t do things like high-fives,” she said, adding that if she could describe the choreography for this show in just a few words, it would be “a feeling that is true to the era, character-driven, and I would say that it has sparks of spectacle.” Williams, who began dancing when she was 8, graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a bachelor of fine arts (in dance) degree. She said she is excited to be working locally and seeing family and friends. “Being back … it’s part of the reason I took the job,” she said. We caught up with Williams — who is married and, in addition to two teenage stepdaughters, has an 11-month-old son — to talk about all things travel.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go? South Africa because I’ve never been to Africa. Any time I was supposed to go anywhere in Africa, something happened. I don’t know where my roots come from, so I’d like to start by going there to explore that. Also, the culture around movement is so important to me — I think it would be a great place to train and connect with that culture.
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Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own? Typically, I don’t get to take vacations for myself, since I’m [usually] traveling for work, so I can’t explore as I’d like to. If I were to take a real vacation, I’d like to go through a travel agency so I could have help from someone who knows the area. I’d like to let them work on the planning so I can relax.
Thoughts on an “unplugged” vacation? It sounds stressful, but also, it’s something that I want to explore. For me, I know I need to unplug and connect with myself. Being still and being one with yourself is actually very scary, but I think it’d be very therapeutic. It could be a very rich experience to unplug and take that time.
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What has been your worst vacation experience? Not a particular vacation experience, although I’ve had bad experiences when I’ve had expectations set from online images of the spaces I’m booked to stay in, and then when I arrive the reality is not as nice or new as the online marketing would have had me believe.
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What is your favorite childhood travel memory? Not childhood, but in my teens. One of my first jobs — modeling and dancing — was for Champion sportswear, and we went to Key West [in Florida] to perform [in a fashion show]. It was my first time in a tropical place, and it was very luxurious and fun . . . and there were lots of palm trees.
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all? I need a vacation, so I would say to relax. It would probably be somewhere remote and in a jacuzzi.
What book do you plan on bringing with you to read on your next vacation? Honestly, it would be a journal. It wouldn’t be a book to read. I’d like to lean into connecting with myself and write some thoughts down to manifest some things. Also, taking a moment to reflect on the things that have gotten me to the space where I am today as a creative, a woman, a mother. … I’d like to take that time.
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If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be? Probably Michelle Obama. She seems like she has a good balance of being so smart and also being a human. I think that’s so important, especially for a woman in her position in the spaces she’s occupied.
What is the best gift to give a traveler? An itinerary that includes a list of places to go that are specific to the area in which they’re exploring.
What is your go-to snack for a flight or a road trip? David Original Sunflower Seeds – in the shell, roasted, and salted.
What is the coolest souvenir you’ve picked up on a vacation? Not a souvenir, but I like thrifting when I go away — especially overseas, where one can stumble upon the best and most unexpected finds. And of course, because their name brands might be different than ours in America, I feel like you can find all these great pieces that can last in your closet for many years.
What is your favorite app/website for travel? When I was young it was Priceline, but now I would say Travelocity.
What has travel taught you? To learn about other cultures — including other languages — and also about the beauty of how music and dance bring so many cultures together and eliminate language barriers.
What is your best travel tip? Pack only the essentials — your spirit will be lighter. I remember when I first started touring, I used to take everything I had to have choices. And it’s true, it can be nice to have those choices, but I learned when I took only the essentials, my energy felt lighter. And it gave me room to have an extra bag that was slightly empty so I could pick up a few things along the way.
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JULIET PENNINGTON
Juliet Pennington can be reached at writeonjuliet@comcast.net.