Angela Birchett on Her Role as “Jacky Clark Chisholm” in Lifetime’s The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
More recently, I got a chance to speak with the dynamic Angela Birchett about her role as “Jacky” in the Lifetime film The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel! Angela Birchett is not only an actress with a vast array of experience in both film and stage performances, but she is also a published Broadway performer, vocalist and recording artist. When I asked Angela about playing “Jacky” in the film and what the experience was like for her, she shares how much of a blessing it was to just get to know Jacky Clark Chisholm leading up to filming. She shares how sometimes as actors playing the roles of legends, they are left to learn these individual’s lives through research, other people’s accounts, etc., but that she was fortunate to be able to connect with Jacky 1:1 and learn more about her as a person.
The two both have a lot in common which made her acting as Jacky more realistic and authentic on film. Prime example, they both grew up in Detroit, came up in families where the siblings are all singers, both are the eldest children of all girls, and more. I could tell by the way that Angela was describing her interview with Jacky that she is a very intentional professional especially when it comes down to bringing these characters to life. She is intentional about studying them, their sensibilities, their mannerisms and anything else which would add to the character implementation. Additionally, I was really impressed by how Angela’s genuine respect and appreciation for the Clark Sisters was the fuel to her effectively playing Jacky’s character in this film.
Without giving any spoilers from the movie, you’ll find that Jacky Clark Chisholm is tasked with many different things that she manages to handle with grace, such as working as a medical professional, being the primary administrator for the group for so many years and just being a “Clark Sister” always showing up and ready! In fact, there are several delightful scenes where we find this character pulling it all together and keeping the ladies grounded. Angela shares that she wanted to be sure to play this role in a way that gives Jacky voice so that she is not the overlooked sister, but that who she is and what she has accomplished is well defined among viewers. We also got a chance to speak about how this film will likely spark conversations among the church and the non-churched communities as some scenes might come across as highly relatable or either controversial — The most important thing, is the message of giving honor where it is warranted and bringing light to the Clark Sisters’ story including who their mother Mattie Moss Clark is/was.
Angela Birchett has done theater and concert tours throughout the country, done background vocals for several big named artists and is actively working on many other creative projects of which we will see emerge in the days to come. She is certainly a wiz in her element and has the track record to prove it. Yet, she is humble and tremendously grateful for the doors that God has opened up for her to do what she loves on a full-time basis. For more on Angela Birchett, please visit www.angelabirchett.com. Lifetime’s The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, is set to premiere Saturday, April 11th at 8/7c!
*Photos Courtesy of Lifetime and L. Morgan
