Lisa Michelle Cornelius is an actor, singer, and filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. Lisa Michelle discovered her passion for performing at the young age of 14 while on a class trip to see the musical production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donnie Osmond. That very day, she decided to pursue a career in the arts. Her artistic career has expanded beyond performance to include filmmaking and serving her artistic community. Lisa Michelle will be starring in her first leading role in the new feature film A Sisterly Christmas on the OWN Network this December. We managed to speak to her about the film, her career and more!
Lisa Michelle Cornelius, thanks for taking the time to speak to us about your work. How and when did you decide to fully embrace acting as a career?
I was in middle school when I realized that I just had to pursue a career in the arts. We had taken a class trip to see the very first professional stage production I had ever witnessed, and the whole experience did me in. The lights, the energy in the room, the TALENT I witnessed that day lit a fire under me, and I knew from then that I wanted to be a part of that world. I wanted to tell stories and entertain!
Who has been the most influential in your career and why?
My family. The one I was born into and the one I gained (my husband and now my daughter). They’ve always believed in my talent and my gifts, even when I wasn’t always so sure myself, or when I didn’t think I could (or should) continue on this artist path. They always saw great things in store for me and encouraged me to use and share my gifts. Thankfully I’ve developed my own hefty serving of confidence over the years, but my family still encourages me to keep dreaming big to this day!
You landed your first professional on-camera role appearing alongside Taye Diggs in the television series Kevin Hill (UPN). Please share your experience and did it meet your expectations?
I remember getting that call, that I had just booked my first on-camera role and that it was on a show that starred (and was produced by) Taye Diggs, no less! My agent and the time and I literally jumped up and down in her office, lol. It was a day player role, so the experience was brief… but everyone was so kind and I remember having a lot of fun. Did it meet my expectations? Almost… except that I never got to MEET Mr.Diggs!!! Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the scene I was shooting, so he wasn’t on set that day. Ah well… the cheque still cleared! lol
You’ve gathered a significant body of work including The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), American Gothic (CBS), Black Mirror (Netflix), and Color of Love (Lifetime). To date, what has been your most memorable experience working in the industry and why?
Before A Sisterly Christmas came about, my favorite role out of all those “big” productions, was my role as Lt.Sarah in Star Trek: Shorts. To go down in history as part of that franchise feels pretty remarkable. And apparently, my character was the first Black “Trill” in Star Trek franchise history! (Trekkie fans know what a Trill is… if you don’t, just know that it’s pretty cool trivia, lol).
What do you look for when choosing a character and do you apply a particular methodology in researching roles?
I’m always excited to audition for characters who are bold and unabashedly themselves. Vicky Marshall, who I play in A Sisterly Christmas, is definitely that. She can be loud and colorful, and I enjoyed playing her that way, as those are characteristics that aren’t always celebrated in our real lives. As for methodology, I’m interested in discovering (or imagining) a character’s backstory and finding the justifications for their current choices, actions, and relationships.
Your big break came when you were cast as Chloe in Band Ladies (Highball TV) You were nominated for a 2021 Canadian Screen Award. Please share with us how you landed the role and the impact the award had on your career.
I had met the creators and director of Band Ladies years prior when we were all studying Improv at Second City (Molly Flood, Kate Fenton, and Dana Puddicombe). We kept in contact until one day they reached out to me about a comedy they were working on and that they pretty much created a role just for me. Like hello, of course, I was in! My role as Chloe on Band Ladies was exciting for so many reasons – it was my first Series Regular role, I got to SING (my first love) as well as act, and I was surrounded by an all-female cast of hilarious, talented actresses whom I consider friends. The nomination it got me for a Canadian Screen Award was just icing on the cake.
To date, what would you say have been your biggest challenges as an artist?
I am enjoying where I’m at with my career and the great projects I’ve been blessed to be a part of (like A Sisterly Christmas!). But there were times I’ve felt that there was a roadblock to success, being a black actress. Years ago, I remember only really being brought in to audition for a role if the character description called for a “black woman” specifically – but not even being considered if it just said “woman”. Because at that time, the default for ‘woman’, especially a leading woman, implied white woman… while black actresses waited for the few and far between roles that were indeed looking for ‘us’. It took some time for that to start changing, but I can truly say that it has, at least in my experience. I’m seeing more genuinely open and inclusive practices in our industry. There’s always more work to be done, but I feel we are moving in a positive direction, with more diversity in behind and front of the camera.
What advice would you give to young actors embarking on their careers?
Take classes! Join social media groups for actors and artists! Follow arts organizations and participate in their initiatives, panels, and events! The more you can get out and connect with other artists and industry folk, the more you open up yourself to job opportunities, learn how to navigate the biz, tap into resources to create your own projects/collaborate with others and so much more. While you’re waiting on that next audition or that next gig, it’s important to keep yourself inspired… and staying connected with other artists can do that!
You’re a founding member of Canadian Black Entertainment (CBE) and serve as an elected ACTRA Toronto and National Councillor. Can you tell us a little more about the two organizations and what they do?
Canadian Black Entertainment (CBE) is a relatively new organization that was born out of a shared vision of excellence, positivity, and pride in our community of Black Canadian Artists. Our group aims to create, celebrate and promote Canadian Black artistry by raising the profile and visibility of these artists, expand their fanbase, connect them with valuable resources for funding and award recognition, and more. Some of our efforts have been slowed by the pandemic, but we are picking up momentum again and excited to bring forth the new initiatives that have been brewing for some time.
ACTRA on the other hand is a union for performing artists in film, tv, commercials, and radio (the Canadian equivalent to SAG-AFTRA). ACTRA’s staff, executive, and council participate in negotiations involving fair pay, working conditions, equitable industry practices, industry partnerships, and more. I’ve just been re-elected for my 3rd term as ACTRA Toronto Councillor! I care a lot about actors because our jobs and our industry are so unique, precarious, and often so misunderstood. It’s not all glitz and glam, that’s for sure. We’re seeing now more than ever why it’s important to have strong unions and advocates for folks who work on sets and in studios for a number of reasons… including safety, fair and diverse representation, and more.
You’re about to star in the new feature film ‘A Sisterly Christmas’ coming to the OWN Network on December 7th. Please tell us more about the film and what we can expect?
A Sisterly Christmas is about two sisters who drew apart when their mother passed away when they were teenagers. Kristina (played by Deborah Joy Winans!) withdrew from the family and anything to do with the holidays while her sister Vicky Marshall (my character), goes all OUT for Christmas, covering up any remnants of grief with Christmas dinners, activities, and taking care of their Aunt Debbie. Well, their Aunt Debbie is fed up with their beef and sends them on an all-expense-paid trip to a holiday resort to make amends and have some fun together. And that’s where the fun of this movie begins!
There’s nothing like a common enemy to bring people together – so amidst the bickering, the sisters actually start to join forces when an old high school friend-turned-nemesis shows up at the same resort. This is still a Christmas movie afterall, so along with sibling rivalry and mean-girlism, you can definitely expect a little romance here, a fling there and a misunderstanding or two as the story unfolds. But my favorite part is all the JOKES! We had so much fun with the humor in this script and each other’s performances, that I hope all that joy and laughter comes through for everyone watching.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Follow me at @yeslisamichelle on Instagram
About Author
