CHICAGO — Aspiring black actresses seeking honest answers on how to get into the business will have the chance to pick the brain of actress Andrea Lewis on Friday.
The Toronto native, best known for her role in Seasons 1-5 of the Canadian teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation," is hosting a panel called “Taking a Leap of Faith” in the film industry — a panel geared specifically toward black actresses.
The event will take place at Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $21.50 and can be bought in advance on Eventbrite.
Lewis' visit here for the panel is her first time in Chicago, and she said she's excited.
DuShon Monique Brown (from left), from "Chicago Fire," Andrea Lewis, panel host, and Erica Hubbard, from BET's "Let's Stay Together" will all appear on Friday night's panel at Columbia College.
Lewis, who started Jungle Wild Production, said she is partnering with Creative Cypher in Chicago to provide Chicago actresses with wisdom and knowledge that will help them take that “leap of faith.”
Many remember her as Hazel on the Canadian television series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” Lewis also played in the Disney movie "Cadet Kelly," alongside Hilary Duff. She also acted alongside Hollywood heavyweights such as Diahann Carroll in “The Natalie Cole Story” and Wesley Snipes and Maya Angelou in Angelou's directorial debut, the critically acclaimed “Down in the Delta.”
Lewis wanted to host the panel in Chicago because it’s a city with a lot to offer, she said.
“There is so much talent coming out of Chicago,” she said. “So many great actors who have the ability to book series and be in films."
The city reminds her of Toronto, she said, because Chicago actors have a lot of opportunities to build their resume without going to Hollywood.
Her acting career began as a toddler. Her mother was approached by a casting director while walking through the mall, Lewis said.
“I was very fortunate getting my start in the acting business,” she said.
As her career grew, she said aspiring actresses, many fresh high school graduates, would approach her, seeking advice.
“Build your experience, build a resume of any sort,” she told them.
Lewis suggests trying to get a role in a short film or web series. She writes and stars in her own series, “Black Actress,” and has her own YouTube channel.
She's also working on her first feature film, the details of which she'll share later, she said.
“I was able to gain some control of my career and not just have it left in the hands of all these other people, hoping and waiting for an audition,” she said.
The panel will discuss how to create original content.
She also encourages aspiring actors and actresses to take acting classes.
“It’s not always ‘I need this big credit, huge TV series,’ but start small and gain a body of work,” Lewis said. “Really get your feet wet in the system.”
Another topic that will be discussed is one Lewis said she still struggles with.
“When it comes to Hollywood’s standards of beauty for black women, the hair, it is very conflicting,” she said. “I don’t even think Hollywood quite gets what our hair is, how it should look, or not look.”
There has been some acceptance of black actresses wearing their hair how it is naturally, she said.
But actresses need to be flexible and be willing to take on a new role and image, she said.
“You can be turned into any character they want to turn you into,” she said.
Lewis said the panel is for those who have a lot of questions or are curious about the industry.
“It’s truly for the person who wants to take that leap of faith,” she said. “They’re going to hear a conversation between Erica, DuShon and myself about the good, the bad, the ugly, and the realities, challenges, and triumphs of this industry.”
Among the panels at the seminar:
• How to Get Your Start
• Self-worth and Believing in Yourself
• Becoming a Full-time Working Actress
• Beauty and Hair Standards for Black Actresses
• Defying and Embracing Stereotypes
• Creating, Directing, Writing and Producing Original Content
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