Actor and playwright

ABOUT WILLIAM SHUMAN

William Shuman is an actor and playwright who has been involved in this business we call “Show” for more than 40 years.

As an actor, he made his New York stage debut in 1977 as Percy in Charles Dyer’s Rattle of a Simple Man, having first appeared on stage in Boston as the Gentleman Caller in a Northeastern University production of The Glass Menagerie. Some of his other roles include: Martin Dysart in Peter Shaffer’s Equus, Herr Dussel in Goodrich and Hackett’s The Diary of Anne Frank, Thomas Wayne in Steven Carl McCasland’s Halls of Importance, Morrie in Martin Halpern’s No Moves Back, Uncle Henry in Kevin Joyce’s When the Cats Away, Window Washer in Terrence McNally’s Witness, Dr. Frank in Charles Dizenzo’s The Last Straw. And, many others.

His film work includes Simon Nuchtern’s horror film “Silent Madness,” Roger Corman’s “Street Walkin’,” John Murray’s “A Place Called Accident,” Adam Buncher’s “Hole in the Wall” as well as several voices in Maciek Albrecht animated film, “Closer to You.” In the 8o’s, William also appeared frequently on the daytime dramas, “All My Children” and “The Doctors.”

As a playwright, his solo play, En Avant! An Evening with Tennessee Williams won the “Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance” at the 2013 NYC International Fringe Festival.

William is a founding member of The Abingdon Theatre Company in NYC which produced his critically acclaimed play, The Most Important American Playwright Since Tennessee Williams and held readings of several of his plays, including What’s Next, Max?, Taking Selma’s Car, Seat of Knowledge and the Hibaku Piano. His short play The Lift has been presented at several venues. His screenplay “Practice, Practice, Practice” was optioned for production several times and his episode of LA Law was misplaced by its executive producer.

William received a BA in English and Economics from Boston University and an MBA in Marketing from the Wharton School but left the corporate world to pursue a life in the theatre.