We were lucky to catch up with Jodi Moore Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jodi, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The craft is the foundation of any great art. When I was younger, I remember the term “God-given talent” being thrown about. We’d watch the UNC basketball game – God-given talent. A singer on American Idol – God-given talent. My cat manipulating me into getting everything she wants – God-given talent. I tried to play piano once, had no God-given talent and gave up immediately. This idea of learning a craft as a discipline was confusing because that is what you did in algebra. I was brainwashed by this idea that you had to be touched by an angel to be talented! Let me tell you – that ain’t the case! When I came to acting, I was just a performer, and now I can say I’m a serious actor because I am serious about the craft. Your craft gives you confidence in your work, it keeps you striving and learning. It grows your talent and is what is exciting about the process. Don’t sell yourself short and know that you really can do anything you put your mind to – with craft, study and dedication.
I knew when I moved into this industry I needed to learn a thing or two. The past three years I’ve been studying at the Marjorie Ballentine Studio. Marjorie has lit a fire in my heart that has given me the tools and passion for the work. She trained under Stella Adler as a teacher and has a ferocious devotion to her students and the art of acting. Her stage is a home to really workout as an actor and constantly challenge yourself. It has changed the meaning of my work and depth of my storytelling.
I also started studying with Jo Kelly from To Be or Not to Act and holy moly the transformation. Never have I ever been more blown away by what that word could mean. It is nothing like a traditional “acting class” and I love how she empowers her actors to follow their own artistic instinct. This program opened up all the riches in my soul by uncovering the layers of conditioning and societal boxes I’ve put myself in. Once you break out there’s no going back.
The craft itself is there to get you to the truth of the matter. There can only be your truth, your unique truth. And alongside craft comes a dash of trust, a sprinkle of self-love, and then you let it go and see what magic you create.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
If you had asked my 5 year old self what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have told you a pop star. Musical Theater was my jam as a kid and it was the path that led me toward this pursuit as an artist.
I’m a storyteller in many forms. First and foremost, I’m an actress and it is my favorite way to embody the art of storytelling. My love for performing kicked off from watching The Wizard of Oz at a young age. I wanted my life to be technicolor with song and dance. Fortunately growing up in Raleigh, NC we had a wonderful community that uplifted kids and teens to perform at a professional level. I immediately found my people! During these times I formed nodes on my vocal cords and it led me down a road of hardship. It’s hard to tell an 8 year old kid to go on vocal rest. I continued to pursue musical theater but couldn’t shake this idea that I was “broken” with the reality of my vocal cords. This narrow-sightedness ruled my esteem which steered me on the route of that “regular job” life.
After college I had a short stint in the fashion world when I had to have a good talk to myself. I was 23 sitting in a hotel room somewhere in Missouri watching the People’s Choice awards, because my taste was that of 23, watching Emma Stone win the Trailblazing award. And I started crying. No offense to Emma, this moment wasn’t about her. It was about me not blazing my own trails. Not that I needed anyone to validate that with an award but I hadn’t been listening to my inner compass. I missed performing, the camaraderie, the script, the rehearsals, the audience. I was yearning for it. It dawned on me…I may be stunted in song and dance but what about just the words? I had never tried acting. I took a few classes in Raleigh and it was love at first sight. Shortly after that I moved to Los Angeles and here I am 11 years later still committed to this beautiful art form.
Other transformative moments in my life have opened other trails of creativity. I also have a Substack Newsletter called Love Notes where I write essays on musings and happenings along with a mixed bag of recs – films, books, recipes, travels, playlists – whatever is tickling my fancy. I also created a podcast called Notes with Friends where I interview women artists, creatives and entrepreneurs about little notes of life, courage, wisdom, love, and curiosity. Both were birthed over the pandemic when I needed a place to express myself when auditioning and acting weren’t as available. I enjoy being able to give parts of myself and perceptions that aren’t just through a character’s lens but from my own personal experience.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Getting to play and explore! I’m constantly looking for ways to quench my thirst for knowledge and inspiration. It always begins with the craft but don’t take for granted being present in the world. The world is a treasure trove of illumination. Reading, museums, seeing films, going to a coffee shop and meeting a stranger – all can lead to something you can use within your art. I find great inspiration through other mediums of art as well. Dancing is a way I discover different parts of myself and contributes to how I look at a character’s physicality and storytelling through the body.
Also the collaboration process on projects always makes me feel like I’m back in summer camp! Working with other creatives at odd hours coming together to make something is the reward of collective effervescence. I adore that phrase from Berkeley Professor Dacher Keltner who recently came out with a book on the study of awe. One of my most recent awe inducing collaborations has been with the B.Home Theater Company, a brainchild from the Marjorie Ballentine Studio. We do a night of vignettes from different plays and films that represents a theme of the zeitgeist. Our last show in Nov 2023 we drew inspiration from the WGA and SAG strike. Another project that left me feeling incredibly rewarded was He(a)rd, a short film by Danielle Savre (Station 19). He(a)rd is a story about a woman’s right to choose and we were able to share our film around the nation at many film festivals. Telling stories that highlight women’s struggles, especially in our current climate is extremely important to me. This film came out amidst the reversal of Roe V. Wade and sparked meaningful, important conversations with our audience, many being women who were survivors.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The main goal of my artistic endeavors is to use my voice to share stories so people feel less alone on this ride. Being an artist, specifically an actor, is to deep dive into the human experience. It requires one to be open and curious to all that life has to offer: the grief, challenges, sticky parts, beauty, wonder, and awe. Nothing goes untouched because you’re uncovering the truth of what it means to be alive. The aliveness that brings me, the purpose that provides, is the compass I live and give by. I want to tell stories that expose everything human about us so we can all feel worthy and seen. We have more in common than one may think. You never know when the right word, soundbite, or film can create a little more room for peace in someone’s life. For me, I have found peace that I will never be a pop star. Unless it is for a movie then well…call my agent and let’s chat.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jooooodiiiiiii/
- Other: Substack: https://jodimoorelewis.substack.com/ Notes with Friends Podcast: https://linktr.ee/noteswithfriends IMDb: https://www.imdb.me/jodimoorelewis Management: https://mgmtartists.com/ Theatrical Agent: https://stonetalentagency.com/ Commercial Agent: https://www.lovetalent.com/ Atlanta Agent: https://www.mitalentatlanta.com/
Image Credits
Matt Kallish, Nika Burnett, Marjorie Ballentine Studio, Hulu: Freebirth