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Angela Birchett Shines as Jacky Clark in The Clark Sisters Movie
Published 5 years, 10 months ago
Description
Angela Birchett gave an Oscar worthy performance in Lifetime’s The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. We caught up with the actress to discuss her background in music, booking the role of Jacky Clark, meeting the real life Jacky in person and her takeaway from this incredible experience. I absolutely loved this movie. Angela did a wonderful job of portraying Jacky as the glue that held the family together. If you haven’t seen the movie....What are you waiting for???
Web: https://www.angelabirchett.com
Follow: @angelabirchett
About This Actress: A native of Detroit, Michigan, Angela embraced her calling to sing and act at an early age. After singing her first solo at her home church: Greater Grace Temple, she knew that she was destined to perform. She spent much of her formative years singing with her sisters in a trio, collectively known as “The Birchett Sisters”. It was in this group that she developed a talent and love for group singing. At 12 years old, Angela was the youngest member of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra excelling as a percussionist; and at 14, she was cast in her first professional production: a staging of Purlie where she was cast in the role of Missy, effectively making her the youngest cast member, playing one of the oldest characters in the show. Additionally, she was a very active member of the music department at Renaissance High School, under the direction of renowned educator, clinician, and choral director, Nina Scott.
After high school, Angela attended Kentucky State University where she double majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a member of the university’s Opera Music Theatre Workshop, Concert, and Show Choirs, she was regularly seen on campus performing in several productions and concerts. While at KSU, Angela had the privilege of once again studying under a renowned musician: the late Andrew Smith and was regularly noticed by legendary soprano, Wilhelmenia Fernandez. Angela also received the prestigious honor of being crowned Miss Kentucky State University and placed third in the Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame pageant in 2000, a first for any reigning KSU queen.
Following graduation in 2002, Angela returned to Detroit and established the choral department at the Paul Robeson Academy. In the years following her time there, a number of her former students have also been drawn to the performing arts, pursuing university training and careers in musical theater, music recording, modeling, and acting.
Feeling an overwhelming inclination to New York City, she made the leap and transitioned full time to performing in 2005. In her first decade here she established herself as a power house and landed roles regionally and on tours starring in hit shows such as: Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Rent, Ain't Misbehavin, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, as well as the 2015 Broadway revival and First National Tour of The Color Purple. Angela has also crossed over and declared herself a force to be reckoned with, appearing on television in a variety of shows including: Kevin Can Wait (CBS) and The Blindspot (NBC). In the fall of 2019, Angela will make her feature length debut in You Brought the Sunshine: The Story of the Clark Sisters (Lifetime) where she will tackle the role of Jacky Clark.
Angela juggles a very busy performance schedule that includes time spent as a session singer for various artists and jingle companies. She also appears in NYC at a myriad of performance venues, including a weekly residency as host of “Lights out on Broadway” in Times Square. This curated open mic has featured a plethora of Broadway performers and recording artists and has become a NYC nightlife hot spot.
For Angela, Sharing her gifts and talents is not about the destination, but the journey. Faith, Passion, and a burning desire to fully ex
Web: https://www.angelabirchett.com
Follow: @angelabirchett
About This Actress: A native of Detroit, Michigan, Angela embraced her calling to sing and act at an early age. After singing her first solo at her home church: Greater Grace Temple, she knew that she was destined to perform. She spent much of her formative years singing with her sisters in a trio, collectively known as “The Birchett Sisters”. It was in this group that she developed a talent and love for group singing. At 12 years old, Angela was the youngest member of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra excelling as a percussionist; and at 14, she was cast in her first professional production: a staging of Purlie where she was cast in the role of Missy, effectively making her the youngest cast member, playing one of the oldest characters in the show. Additionally, she was a very active member of the music department at Renaissance High School, under the direction of renowned educator, clinician, and choral director, Nina Scott.
After high school, Angela attended Kentucky State University where she double majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a member of the university’s Opera Music Theatre Workshop, Concert, and Show Choirs, she was regularly seen on campus performing in several productions and concerts. While at KSU, Angela had the privilege of once again studying under a renowned musician: the late Andrew Smith and was regularly noticed by legendary soprano, Wilhelmenia Fernandez. Angela also received the prestigious honor of being crowned Miss Kentucky State University and placed third in the Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame pageant in 2000, a first for any reigning KSU queen.
Following graduation in 2002, Angela returned to Detroit and established the choral department at the Paul Robeson Academy. In the years following her time there, a number of her former students have also been drawn to the performing arts, pursuing university training and careers in musical theater, music recording, modeling, and acting.
Feeling an overwhelming inclination to New York City, she made the leap and transitioned full time to performing in 2005. In her first decade here she established herself as a power house and landed roles regionally and on tours starring in hit shows such as: Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Rent, Ain't Misbehavin, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, as well as the 2015 Broadway revival and First National Tour of The Color Purple. Angela has also crossed over and declared herself a force to be reckoned with, appearing on television in a variety of shows including: Kevin Can Wait (CBS) and The Blindspot (NBC). In the fall of 2019, Angela will make her feature length debut in You Brought the Sunshine: The Story of the Clark Sisters (Lifetime) where she will tackle the role of Jacky Clark.
Angela juggles a very busy performance schedule that includes time spent as a session singer for various artists and jingle companies. She also appears in NYC at a myriad of performance venues, including a weekly residency as host of “Lights out on Broadway” in Times Square. This curated open mic has featured a plethora of Broadway performers and recording artists and has become a NYC nightlife hot spot.
For Angela, Sharing her gifts and talents is not about the destination, but the journey. Faith, Passion, and a burning desire to fully ex