Chantrell M. Lewis

Chantrell M. Lewis, M.F.A is a multi-disciplinary arts educator, published author, award-winning researcher, and artist. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from The University of California, Irvine. She is a certified specialist in the social-emotional development of youth stamped by The University of California, Riverside. Lewis has been performing since she was eight years old. Having been awarded a Broadway World Regional Award for Best Actress in a Drama or Comedy (2018), she is an esteemed theatrical actor, classical singer, and nationally recognized performance poet. Lewis has worked as a Teaching Artist and Adjunct Professor for various educational theatre programs, including Cleveland Public Theatre Education, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Dance Arts Academy, Orange County School of the Arts, The University of California, Irvine, and the Riverside Arts Council. Through these programs, Lewis carefully designs and teaches programming and curriculum that emphasizes literacy and other skills in alignment with the state standards for visual and performing arts education. Notably, Lewis serves as the Executive Director of the Jar of Sunshine Incorporated, a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing accessibility to literacy, wellness, and the arts in under-resourced communities.