Meet Carla Susan Lewis | Actor, former social scientist, professor and activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carla Susan Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carla Susan, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
The question really resonates. I believe we all have an innate thrust towards expansion and growth that fuels us as humans. For some of us, it shifts from a roar to a whisper depending upon circumstance, events, physiology, and mindset. Despite challenges however, it is always there like our heartbeat. I try to honor that core life force within regardless of set backs and challenges. I see challenges as opportunities for growth, never reasons to give up. I am always struck by the incredible resilience of the human spirit. They say that pain is the touchstone of growth. So welcoming challenges and staying on course, falling forward will bring it all home. We deserve our dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Acting is ageless. It mirrors life. I am thrilled to be back at it after such a long break as a social justice activist and professor. I lived in my imagination as a child always loving stories and acting them out. It was no surprise that as a teen I rebelled and started working in the performing arts traveling to NYC everyday, cutting last period in high school to commute to ballet classes, spending the summers in performing arts camps. Got my union cards early on and trained with wonderful acting teachers in NYC but I never expected how challenging it would be to support myself in NYC.
I took years away from theatre to return to school for my doctorate and worked as research faculty at Columbia School of Health and Princeton University working on government research grants. A very cerebral life so far away from my artistic soul but I finally made my way back. It is never too late.
For the past eight years I have trained intensively, participated in playwright’s readings, worked several equity stage contracts, award-winning indie films, and had my first primetime job through some wonderful reps pulling for me. Lesson learned is that we can always be guided back to our authentic self by listening to what is deep within our heart putting in the work and trusting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course the beach – the long stretch of walk from Palisades to Venice. Climbing jetties and walking barefoot. And seeing some great theatre. I love The Road Theatre, Pacific Resident Theatre, The Ruskin Theatre, The Geffen Playhouse, Antaeus, and the Los Angeles art exhibits are wonderful. Last year’s immersive Van Gogh exhibit was spectacular and the Broad had that fabulous Keith Haring exhibit and the Getty of course.
I like Urth Caffe for long talks over tea and the Water Grill for great fish near the ocean. And The Farmshop Market in Brentwood has super healthy and scrumptious take out or open air benches in the sunshine to enjoy with a friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful to so many but today my shout out is to my sisters — all women who face challenges, glass ceilings, patriarchy, cultural constraints, and to the humanitarian programs I was privileged to assist in my lifetime such as Project Hospitality, WIN (formerly Women in Need) Billie’s Place, Urban Women’s Retreat, SAVI (Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Group) and to one of my favorite “sisters” —my acting coach Amy Lyndon who taught me upon my return to Acting that giving up is simply not an option. Thank you Amy.

Website: https://www.CarlaSusanLewis.com

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Image Credits
Matt Kallish Photography
Sean Kara Photography