Here at Everly Mag, we loved seeing tween actress and dancer Avery Hewitt shine on the small screen as Emily in the film To The Beat! 

Starring Jayden Bartels, Brisa Lalich, and Laura Krystine, the film spotlights the ups and downs of young dancers as they compete to win a spot in a pop star’s music video.  Avery plays Jayden’s younger sister, and she gets a chance to show off her dancing and acting talent throughout the film.

Everly Mag talked to Avery Hewitt all about how she got her start in dance and acting, what it was like filming the movie, and her experience acting with Jayden Bartels.

Everly Mag: How did you get started in dance and acting?

Avery: I started dancing when I was 3 years old, and started competitively when I was 7.  This year, I stopped competing and started going to LA and training with choreographers in different studios.  I take classes at Millennium Dance Complex, The Rage Complex, and am part of the ImmaBreathe Contemporary program under Maryann Chavez and Willdabeast at the ImmaSpace Studios.  My favorite styles of dance are hip-hop and jazz.

Video: Avery Hewitt

To The Beat! was my first acting project.  I hope that later on, I’ll get more acting projects and act more!

Everly Mag: How did you get the role of Emily in the film?  What was filming like?

Avery: I had taken dance with Laura [Krystine, who plays Mackie in the film] and her mom reached out [to me] saying that I’d be perfect for the role of Emily Adams.  I did a small video interview for Jillian and Susan [the director and producer] and they were convinced and brought me into the cast!

Filming was such a fun experience.  We did school on set, and everyone [was] so nice and sweet to us!  It was so fun, because I’ve never done anything like that before.

Everly Mag: How are you similar to your character Emily?  How are you different?

Avery: I’m similar [to Emily] because she’s very caring and cares about her family and so do I.  We also both like to dance!  We’re different because she’s a younger sister and I’m an older sister.  [Also], she kind of lets everybody else go in the spotlight, but me, I like to be in the spotlight!

Fun fact: Avery’s real-life little sister can be seen in To The Beat!, helping to pass out programs before the Chris Trousdale concert.

Everly Mag: What was it like working with Jayden Bartels?

Avery: Jayden plays my older sister in the movie.  I was a huge fan of Jayden.  My dad told me that she might get cast [in the film] as my sister and I lost it and was freaking out.  She sat next to me at the table read.  When she walked in, I was so excited, obviously, she’s like a goddess.  As I started acting with her, [I realized] she was so sweet and now we dance together sometimes.

Everly Mag: What is your favorite scene in the movie?

Avery: The scene where we’re in the backyard and practicing our dance, and Jayden gets mad at [my character] for not keeping up with them.  Our mom comes out and protects me, but she has smoothie all over her face because she put a spoon into her smoothie and it exploded.  It was so much fun.  We took so many takes [of the scene] because every time she came out with the smoothie on her face, we would laugh.

Everly Mag: What’s the hardest thing about acting in a movie?

Avery: Not knowing what all the movie terms mean.  A lot of the actors know what everything is, and I was really confused.  The mics, the placement on the floor – I did not understand it [at first], but now I understand it more.

Everly Mag: What do you like to do when you’re not acting or dancing?  What do you like to do with your friends?

Avery: I like to hang out with my family and friends.  I also like to draw, jump on the trampoline, and go swimming.  [With friends], we go to this gymnastics place where we just mess around for fun.  I like to shop with my friends and go to the mall, and I like to watch movies.

Everly Mag: Favorite store?

Avery: Tilly’s.

Everly Mag: Favorite movie?

Avery: To The Beat!

Everly Mag: What advice do you have for kids who are new to acting or dancing?

Avery: Be yourself, but also watch and learn from the person that’s teaching or the corrections you’re getting because that does help a lot.  You can give your own style and flavor to things, depending on what the teacher [is looking for].

Everly Mag: What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

Avery: I hope to accomplish a lot of dance projects and a lot of acting projects.  I really want to be on a TV show or a dance TV show.  I don’t really know what the future holds, but hopefully those things!

Everly Mag: What else do you want to tell our readers?

Avery: I’m so thankful for Jillian, the director, Susan, the producer, and Ryan, Laura’s mom.  I’m so grateful [to them] for believing in me with so little experience.  It’s pretty crazy, and they gave so much good energy to me.  Make sure to watch To The Beat!

Read Everly Mag’s review of To The Beat film today!  You can find the movie on Amazon, iTunes, and more.  Find Avery Hewitt on Instagram.  

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If you liked this article, you might also enjoy reading:

• Interview: To the Beat! Star Laura Krystine
• Interview: Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio
• Interview: Actress Emily Skinner
• Top 5 YouTube Videos This Week

Feature Image Credit: Michael Higgins Photography