Community Corner

New Trier Movie Actress Remains Grounded

Winnetka actress Katie Chang is making waves in her first major movie performance.

Winnetka resident and emerging movie star Katie Chang's first major motion picture — 'The Bling Ring', directed by Sofia Coppola — came out Fri. June 14...only 12 days after her high school graduation at New Trier. The local actress spent much of her youth studying at the Actors Training Center at the Wilmette Theatre.

'The Bling Ring' is based on a true story of teens in L.A. who broke into the homes of several notable celebrities in 2011, including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Chang plays Rebecca Ahn, the group's ring leader — a major role in a major movie, which is almost unheard of for an unknown actress. 

Chang told Chicago Slash that she at first struggled to relate to her character, who is a big party girl and is involved in drinking and drugs. “To get where she was coming from, I imagined she was deeply self-conscious and had very low self-worth,” Chang said. “As a teenage girl, I kind of understand that.”

Chang, who also filmed “A Birder’s Guide to Everything" last July, is planning on majoring in creative writing at Columbia University this fall. She notes that she'd like to continue acting while she attends college, and would like to combine her love of performing with writing. 

“I think it will be difficult [to continue acting in school], but it’s been difficult so far, so why stop now?” she told Chicago Splash.

The Chicago premier of 'The Bling Ring' was Mon. June 17 at the Wilmette Theatre, in a fundraiser that also aimed to raise money for the local theater. 

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