In the fall of 1972 Bill won a scholarship to Cornell University's Master of Fine Arts program. He spent the next two years submerged in one of the most rigorous actor training regimens in the country.

"We lived in black tights! Acting class was followed by mime class which was followed by fencing class and so on. Yoga, voice, aikido, scene study, dance, tai chi, theatre history, dialects, and then rehearsal for the plays we put on at night. This was the most intense two years I've ever lived through. But when you come out other end you have more than just an MFA in your hand. You feel you can take on just about anything this business can throw at you".