
Why I Act
I act because storytelling, in its purest form, can be deeply healing — for me and for the audience. It’s the most intimate form of expression I know, one that asks me to go deep, to sit inside another person’s reality and feel what it’s like to be them.
I’m endlessly curious about the human experience — the hidden layers, the contradictions, the things we’re afraid to say out loud. Acting gives me a way to explore all of that with honesty and imagination. It’s not about pretending. It’s about becoming. And in that transformation, I find connection — with myself, with the audience, and with the truth of someone else’s story.
​
Personal Statement
As an actress, I’m driven by a deep fascination with human behavior, inner life, and emotional truth. My work focuses on subtle, internal expression—often through stillness and presence—where the smallest shift can carry the greatest weight.
I believe in storytelling as a tool for empathy, discovery, and connection. Whether I’m acting on screen or helping young performers find their voice through my studio, I’m committed to work that is brave, real, and rooted in emotional honesty.
Full Bio
Winter Williams is an award-winning American film and theater actress, best known for her breakout roles in cult horror The Human Centipede, revenge thriller Julia, and crime drama Albanian Gangster.
Raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Ashley grew up immersed in a vibrant arts scene and discovered her passion for acting at age 12. She went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, earning an advanced associate degree, receiving the prestigious Charles Jehlinger Award, and joining the Academy’s Repertory Company with the Spencer Tracy Scholarship. Following her time with the AADA Rep, Ashley performed lead roles in innovative off-Broadway productions at venues including The Ellen Stewart Theater, Cherry Lane Theater, and 59E59 Street.
A pivotal collaboration with Italian director Dario D’Ambrosi deepened her fascination with the human psyche and complex character work, propelling her toward film and an intimate, nuanced approach to acting. As a film actress, Ashley is renowned for her mastery of silent expression — the subtle art of conveying deep internal emotion through stillness and gaze. Critics praised her performance in Julia for its haunting intimacy and emotional precision, highlighting how her eyes communicate volumes without a word.
In addition to acting, Ashley co-founded Mind The Art Entertainment, a theater company dedicated to producing original work in New York City. She also served as an actor/educator with the Nite Star Program, using theater in NYC public schools to help students navigate real-life challenges and foster healthy choices.
Ashley is also the founder of In The Pines Studio in Central Wisconsin — a creative haven where young actors and storytellers are empowered to dig deep, take risks, and walk fearlessly into the world. The studio is fast becoming a birthplace for a bold new wave of Midwest talent rooted in truth, imagination, and raw expression.
Currently, Ashley is co-creating a one-woman show with playwright Denmo Ibrahim, while continuing her film collaborations with her husband, filmmaker Matthew A. Brown. She splits her time between New York and Wisconsin, where she lives with her husband, two children, five cats, and one very patient dog.