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TALENT PATROL Chicago actress Katie Chang is popping up in Hollywood with her first starring role in a Sofia Coppola flick. Although Chang may come across as an old soul, she is on the verge of becoming one of Hollywood's freshest faces: She'll play the lead character in Coppola's The Bling Ring, out June 28. Based on a true story, the film follows the escapades of teen burglars in the Hollywood Hills who robbed the likes of Orlando Bloom and Paris Hilton in 2008. Chang plays Rebecca, the manipulative ringleader of the group; unlike her on-screen counterpart, though, the young actress would much rather stroll through art galleries and boutiques than try to steal from them. "[Rebecca is] very self-centered [and] selfinvolved," Chang says, adding with a laugh, "I try not to be like her; she's not the greatest kid in the world." Her character has attitude to spare, but Chang herself was in awe of collaborating with Coppola: "To get to meet and work with her was just amazing," Chang enthuses. "As someone who respects her greatly, I know how incredible it is to be included in her vision." Dream director: Like Coppola, Chang hopes to make her "I'd like to work own movies one day. In fact, she's considerwith Kathryn ing a film studies or creative writing major Bigelow." when she starts at Columbia University in Best summer the fall. "I don't know what I'll write just yet," stroll: "I love Chang says. "But I know I'll always have a Armitage Avenue; it's such a cute high standard after this experience." Her little street." favorite writer-actors include Tina Fey and When I'm not Lena Dunham. "I like strong women who acting I'm: are doing cool things in the industry." "Spinning or Chang herself is off to a good start on that cooking. I hate front: After starring in community theater physical activity, but I will spin!" as a kindergartner, she began taking her craft more seriously at 13, when she joined the Wilmette Theatre's Actors Training Center. It was ATC executive director Carole Dibo, in fact, who helped Chang land The Bling Ring role. Dibo was approached by Geoffrey Soffer, casting director for Ugly Betty, who wanted to manage Chang after seeing her in a theater workshop. The duo then worked to find the young actress plum auditions, one of which happened to be for Coppola's latest work. The Bling Ring will be Chang's first major movie role, but she's dabbled in independent film, notably CUTEeGRL, which premiered at the Wilmette Theatre in 2011. The teenager also spends her free time taking in shows by The A WINNETKA-BASED THEATER STUDENT GETS HER BIG Second City and Steppenwolf Theatre Company, among BREAK IN SOFIA COPPOLA'S THE BLING RING. BY JULIET IZON others, citing a recent production of Clybourne Park at the latter as one of her favorite plays. As for her own stage dreams? Chang says she "would be honored" to perform on stage in atie Chang is not your typical 18-year-old. The recent New Trier High the Windy City. "I feel like that's a rite of passage for a Chicago actor." Even School graduate rhapsodizes about the works of Nora Ephron with a though continued success might bring this teen away from the Windy City, passion most girls her age reserve for Twilight. Then again, most 18-year- she has no plans to leave. "I don't think I'll ever move to LA; Chicago's my home!" she exclaims, adding, "and I do love Chicago-style pizza." MA olds don't land their first starring role in a film directed by Sofia Coppola. katie chang K 60 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID W. JOHNSON; MAKEUP BY JENNY PATINKIN; SHOT AT WILMETTE THEATRE'S ACTORS TRAINING CENTER INSIGHT MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 060_MA_SP_TP_SUMMER_13.indd 60 6/18/13 12:44 PM