Biography

          A New Jersey State Opera Alfredo Silipigni Vocal Competition award recipient, Washington, DC born William Powell, III has held principal, supporting, and ensemble roles in various films, operatic, and musical theater works. Works including Rodgers' and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (Cord Elam, Jud Fry & Dream Jud), Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (Marco), Verdi’s Rigoletto (Ceprano & Sparafucile) and Otello (Lodovico), Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors (King Balthazar), Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci, and Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette. William has also appeared in Washington National Opera’s productions of Glass’ Appomattox, Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, and Heggie’s Dead Man Walking. Relocating to the Los Angeles area to begin acting professionally and to continue his musical pursuits, in the 2018-2019 season, William made his LA Opera stage debut in productions of Verdi’s Don Carlo and La Traviata. In the 2021-2022 Season, William made his Lyric Opera of Chicago stage debut in Verdi’s Macbeth, followed by appearances in Die Zauberflöte, Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones (A Pledge), Tosca, and Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Additionally, he made his house and role debut in Opera NexGen's production of Carlos Simon's Night Trip (Uncle Wesley) and Long Beach Opera’s production of Anthony Davis' Pulitzer Prize winning Opera, The Central Park Five (Antron McCray). 

     In the 2022-2023 Season, William returned to The Lyric Opera of Chicago in productions of Ernani, Don Carlos (Flemish Deputy), and Carmen. He made his house and role debuts in South Bend Lyric Opera’s The Gift (The Mayor), Opera Festival of Chicago's production of Pizzetti's Assassinio nella cattedrale (2nd Tempter/ 2nd Knight), and covered the role(s) of Don Bayley/ Bobby/ Prosecutor in Chicago Opera Theater’s  World Premiere of Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing.

     In the 2023-2024 Season, William will appear in productions of The Flying Dutchman, Jason and the Argonauts, Aida, and Champion with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, return to Chicago Opera Theater in The Nose, and before its season cancellation, was to make his company and role debut in La Traviata with Tulsa Opera in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

     In addition to his musical pursuits, William is establishing and growing a theater, film, and television career. Currently, his film credits include Beauty Mark (2018), Trayizon (2019), and It's on You (2022). He is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artist (AGMA) and Actors Equity Association (AEA).