Octavian Lewis

Few performers have impressed me as much as Octavian Lewis. Seeing him as Tom Collins in RENT was a revelation. He gives a performance of such power, emotion, and tenderness that I was moved to tears. Octavian’s voice and presence fill the stage and he is a joy to watch. I was happy to learn through communicating with Octavian that he is a kind, humble, grateful, human being who is focused on becoming the best performer he can possibly be. Take a few moments to learn more about the multi-talented Octavian Lewis.

When was your first time on stage?

My first time on stage was in Elementary School. I remember this performance not only because it was my first time on stage but also because my grandmother talks about it to this very day. Ms. Freeney, my elementary music teacher, taught us “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. Not only did we have choreography, but I made sure I had a Santa hat which completed my costume so that I could look my best while I perform. Though everyone else seemed to be shy and forgetful, I knew I was ready to showcase the hard work we had put into this song. Besides I love Christmas music, so I was in the spirit.  

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

Looking back over my life, I suppose I knew I wanted to be an actor or entertainer at a very young age. I would stay with my grandmother on most weekends, and she’d take me and my cousin to Blockbuster. I was introduced to the movies like “The Temptations,” “The Jacksons: An American Dream” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It” which was the opposite for my cousin who would get movies like Power Rangers and other animated kid movies. At the time, I thought of it as role playing. I’d put the movie on and become the director, bossing my cousin around telling him what part to play while I wore many hats, including playing the lead as well as whatever other character I wanted to play and still directing. I mean I would go all out; making dresses out of blankets and using a hand-held massager as a microphone. Even as a kid, without knowing exactly what I was doing, I was becoming exactly who I am meant to be…an entertainer.

Who is your greatest mentor?

I have had a host of mentors throughout my lifetime and I’m only 26 years old. Curtis King, Jiles King, Dereque Whiturs, Akin Babatunde, Guinea Price, Michelle Magee-Norfleet, and Matia Brittman, just to name a few, have all mentored me and impacted the man I am today. However, one person in particular takes the cake. My greatest mentor to this date is singer, songwriter, educator, director, and musician Saul B.Gates IV from Houston, TX. We met at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, and he soon became one of my college professors at Texas College. I endured great hardships at Texas College and Saul was there through each and every one of them. Thereafter he became a father figure, friend and lifetime brother. There are many things to say about Saul but to keep it short and sweet, Saul is truly one of a kind.

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

So far the role that I’ve enjoyed the most in my career is Tom Collins in RENT. Collins is a very close reflection of myself. He’s playful and full of life and love despite the many trials and curve balls that life throws at him. This role has made me believe in my own magic by taking the bad for what it is and making it good.

Do you have a dream role?

My dream role is to play the lead in a biopic. I grew up watching many biopics like “Ray,” “The Temptations”, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,”  “The Little Richard Story” and many more; all of which have had such pivotal influences on my taste in music, acting techniques, creativity and imagination.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

I would absolutely love to share the stage with Billy Porter, Ben Platt, Idina Menzel, Cynthia Erivo, and Audra McDonald. I would also love to be on film with Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson and Viola Davis. This list of accomplished artists, whose work speaks endless volumes, is only what I long to become and create in the future.

What performances have you seen that impressed you?

Todrick Hall is an artist who literally does it all and can do no wrong in my eyes. I saw his production of Straight Outta Oz in 2017 and fell in love with his artistry even more after seeing such a fabulous adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” This performance truly made me believe that I don’t have to box myself into one art form. I can do it all. I can be equally as great of a singer as I am a dancer and actor. I can be the choreographer, director, writer, singer, designer and even manager of my own career.

 What are your career goals?

My career goal is to be the first EGOT winner from Dallas, TX. I don’t think it gets any better than that. Jennifer Hudson recently joined this prestigious list of winners as one of the youngest to ever accomplish this dream and I would love to be next.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most would people be surprised to know that I’m an introvert. I’m very quiet, observant, and meek which is the opposite of what most would see myself as on stage. I only consider myself to be an extrovert when it counts. My mom taught me that there is a time and place for everything. There’s a time to be silly, loud, and playful which I am, but there is also a time to be quiet, observant, and meek.