Williams’ transition from the professional theater industry to academia was born from a realization that the industry often lacked a deep engagement with philosophical discourses regarding anti-Blackness. As a Black, queer, and partially disabled participant in the arts, she sought to address "overt and covert aggressions" that she felt were being ignored by traditional theatrical institutions.
Rhizomes: issue 29: Frank Wilderson and Jaye Austin Williams jaye austin
In 2022, she presented "Antiblackness and the Limits of Performance," where she analyzed dramatic texts to discuss the "structured animus" of anti-Blackness. Beyond the Stage Beyond the Stage Her writings include essays like
Her writings include essays like "Radical Black Drama-as-Theory: The Black Feminist Dramatic on the Protracted Event-Horizon" (published in Theory & Event ) and critical reviews of theatrical interventions in white supremacy. Additionally, she is a practitioner of Aikido ,
Williams’ expertise extends into diverse areas of social and physical practice. She has served on selection panels for the and the Young Playwrights Festival . Additionally, she is a practitioner of Aikido , having developed modified movement workshops specifically for elders and people with disabilities.