COLUMBIA, S.C. — The search continues for missing Broadway star Zelig Williams, the 28-year-old family and friends last saw on Oct. 3.
Williams is a prominent member of the Columbia dance and theater community, and his disappearance has led to an outpouring of concern.
“I knew immediately that he was gonna thrive, besides his amazing talents -- hard-working talents -- but also God-given talents," Caroline Lewis-Jones said. "Again, he was born to do this.”
A dance teacher, dance mom and friend, Lewis-Jones remembers meeting 11-year-old Zelig when he came into her class at Southern Strutt Dance Studio.
“I immediately knew how special he was. He would just come to all the dance classes, and he would just show up, and I'd be like, 'Zelle, you know that this isn't your class,'" she said. "And he was like, 'I know, but I'm here, so I want to take class.' I was like, 'Awesome.' So, he was just a kid that always wanted to do more.”
Lewis-Jones described Zelig as a hard worker who is compassionate and goofy. She said the Broadway star has never forgotten where he came from, always coming home to South Carolina to teach the next generation of kids.
“He wanted to teach as much as he can and go in the studios, so he's taught at Strutt and at PPA [Palmetto Performing Arts], MJDA [Mrs. Jenkins Dance Academy] and Mrs. Jenkins," Lewis-Jones said. "He's been all over teaching because he wants to help kids realize what does it take to get to this level.”
Former drama teacher Jeanette Arvay Beck recalled Zelig's first audition.
“He did his normal, wonderful, upbeat, incredible thing, and he walked out of the room, and I remember thinking, 'Holy, goodness gracious, all that talent right there just waiting to blossom.' And he did,” Beck said.
Beck said she brought more to the stage than just his dance skills, and when he made it to Broadway, she made sure to be there. Time went by, but Zelig was still Zelig.
“Even up there, he seemed to bring out the best in others," Beck said. "That's just his thing is what he does, sunshine,”
It's been weeks since family and friends last saw Zelig. According to investigators, he was driving in the area of the Congaree National Park. His car was later found in a parking lot near the park for the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail.
Family and friends continue to ask the community for prayers and any help to bring him home.
“Whatever your form of prayer is, cause we all believe different things, I think just keep praying however that looks for you," Lewis-Jones said. "And keep having the belief that he's going to come home because we do feel that. Just keep your eyes open; keep your ears open."
Unbound Dance Company will host "Dance for Z" on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 5:15 to 7 p.m. It will be at The Southern Strutt in Irmo, at 90 Ashbourne Rd. All proceeds and donations will be given to the family to help bring Zelig home.
Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward if that information leads to an arrest or conviction.