LIANA LEWIS aka PETRA QUEEN OF THE NILE | Dancer, singer, actor
City: Calgary/Toronto
Instagram: @lianalewis
Previous work: Becoming Burlesque, Skins, Free Up! Emancipation Day
Liana Lewis, a Canadian performer hailing from Calgary, Alberta, embodies the essence of artistic expression. From a young age, Liana’s journey into the world of arts commenced with piano lessons at the tender age of three, under the tutelage of the esteemed non-profit institution, The Suzuki Talent Education Society in Calgary. Infused with the Suzuki method’s ethos of fostering not just musical proficiency but also character virtues such as perseverance, patience, and respect, Liana’s passion flourished.
Her ardor for the arts evolved to encompass diverse forms. At six, Liana’s exploration of dance was ignited at Premiere Dance Academy, where she embraced Jazz, Ballet (RAD), Tap, and Modern disciplines. Excelling in regional competitions showcased her remarkable dedication and skill. Yet, Liana’s talents stretched further – her love for singing and acting was equally profound.
Following high school, Liana embarked on a journey to Toronto, propelled by her aspiration to become a Triple Threat Performer. Auditioning and enrolling at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, she honed her talents in acting, singing, and dance over a rigorous two-year program. Toronto’s prominent choreographers soon recognized her talents, granting her opportunities to grace stages across the nation.
Over the past decade, Liana has carved a niche in the realm of Burlesque, adopting the captivating persona of Petra Queen of the Nile. Beyond her stage presence, she champions body empowerment as a movement instructor, offering healing through dance and inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves with every confident step.
Liana Lewis stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, a Canadian luminary captivating hearts and minds through her multidimensional performances and empowering presence.
More about Liana Lewis
What is your biggest professional achievement?
“Getting personally casted by Lee Daniels and working with Eboni Nichols. This happened at a time when I was taking a break from performing and started focusing my energy on myself. My part didn’t make into the movie, that happens a lot in film/tv where things don’t go pass the cutting room floor. The experience of getting work with two people who’s work I admire, having a dream become my reality will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
What obstacles/challenges have you had to face to get to where you are today?
“Being a woman of color and being in the industry that I’m in where there’s more rejections, I’ve been told my looks are not desirable, only casted as stereotypical things. I’ve been fetishizes, treated like a sexual object. I’m either not Black enough, my body is thick and all though I am a on the lighter side I’m not the right person of color. Constantly having to work that much harder to prove that you cannot deny that I am best person for the job.”
What’s something people should know about you?
“I am Bajan – Canadian, my dads from Barbados and from my mom side I come from a strong Canadian lineage of trailblazers. My Caribbean heritage is very important me and as of late it has taken the forefront on how I want express myself artistically. I’m in the process of developing my own one women show, telling my story through dance. I also really love to write, I want to start creating my own TV shows that showcase more diversity where someone like me can be lead. Issa Rae’s show “Insecure” was the first time I felt watching something that I can see myself and really relate to the characters. I love inspiring people to be unapologetically themselves, in world where you can feel unseen or just not worthy the most powerful you can do is be YOU so loudly, take up space because it matters.”
If there are other Canadian women of colour in dance we should know about, let us know!
Innovators & Icons is a presented by the National Arts Centre in partnership with SHIFTER
