William Ray-Macke on His Many Theater Roles
William Ray-Macke recently played Seymour in Gallery Players’ Little Shop of Horrors. He is directing Gallery Players’ Bye Bye Birdie running from Feb. 27 – March 14, 2027. We chatted with him about his many theater roles and beyond.
Lauren: You recently starred as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and now you’re taking on a director role in Gallery Players’ Bye Bye Birdie. What is the transition process like going from being in the spotlight to directing?
William: Honestly, I think both roles scratch different parts of the same creative itch. As an actor, I get to live inside a story and discover what makes a character tick. As a director, I get to help build the whole world those characters inhabit. There’s a special kind of magic in both, just at different altitudes! I’m enjoying my time as Seymour, but I’m already looking forward to switching hats and helping bring Bye Bye Birdie to life. My goal is always to create an environment where people feel safe enough to take creative risks, have a little fun and make something wonderful together.
Lauren: What is your favorite part of being an artist in Columbus?
William: The people, without question. Columbus has such a wonderful mix of artists who are passionate, wildly creative and willing to roll up their sleeves to make something happen. Community theater is a reminder that art doesn’t have to come with a Broadway budget to have a Broadway-sized impact. There’s something really special about making a room full of strangers laugh, cry or forget about their to-do lists for a couple of hours, then getting to do it all over again with people who have become friends. Columbus gives you room to experiment, collaborate and find your people, and that’s a pretty wonderful thing.
Lauren: You have a lot of credits under your belt. What has been the most important thing you’ve taken with you from role to role?
William: I think every role leaves a little something behind. Sometimes it’s a new skill, sometimes it’s a fresh perspective and sometimes it’s simply a reminder not to take life quite so seriously. Theater has taught me that there are a hundred different ways to tell a story, and the most interesting discoveries often happen when you let go of what you think you know. I try to walk into every new production with curiosity, a willingness to be a little uncomfortable and an appreciation for the people I’m lucky enough to create alongside. There’s always something new to learn, and I hope that never stops being true.
Lauren: Are there differences in shows you want to act in versus direct? For example, what made you want to direct Bye Bye Birdie instead of performing in it?
William: Absolutely! As an actor, I’m drawn to the opportunity to explore a character, get inside their head and discover all the wonderfully human contradictions that make them tick. Directing appeals to a different part of my brain. I love looking at the big picture: how the story moves, how the pieces fit together and how we can create something that feels greater than the sum of its parts.
Bye Bye Birdie is such a fun opportunity to play with nostalgia, comedy and that wonderfully heightened world of classic musical theater. I want to honor what makes the show beloved while finding ways to make it feel fresh, lively and relevant for today’s audiences. For me, directing is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions, bringing talented people together and giving them the room to surprise me. And if we can send an audience home smiling and humming a tune they didn’t expect to be stuck in their heads, I’d call that a job well done!
Lauren: What are some of your favorite places around Columbus and why?
William: The Book Loft in German Village is a favorite because getting lost in a labyrinth of books feels like a perfectly reasonable way to spend an afternoon. I always go in thinking I’ll leave with one book and come out with a small literary crisis and several new friends for my bookshelf.
Bonifacio is another favorite if you’re looking for unexpected good eats. Great food, wonderful flavors and the kind of place that reminds you that a meal can be an experience all on its own. I’m always happy when I can combine a little culinary adventure with good company!
And the Franklin Park Conservatory is just a little slice of magic. I love being surrounded by all that greenery, especially when Ohio weather is doing its best to convince us that plants are merely a rumor. It’s a wonderful place to wander, slow down and remember that there’s a whole world of beauty waiting just around the corner.
Catch William Ray-Macke directorial work in Gallery Players’ Bye Bye Birdie, Feb. 27 – March 14, 2027.
About the author
Lauren Mox is marketing associate for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus.
This article is part of a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus campaign. Explore a calendar of events, public art database, artist-curated public art tours and stories at columbusmakesart.com. To learn more about GCAC grants visit gcac.org.