INTERVIEW: Kelsey Jorissen on 'The Dreamers' Season Finale, Being an Artist in Chicago, and The Future

Have you discovered Chicago-based web series The Dreamers yet? In the age of binge-watching, this is the perfect time. The season finale debuts tonight at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Many have checked out the show, and it was recently nominated for two Indie Series Awards, best ensemble and best writing in a drama.

The Dreamers centers on Kara (Kelsey Jorissen) and her five best friends: Cavin (Mike Hamilton), Clarissa (Giselle Ruecking) Jackson (Michael Bartz), Brad (David Wesley Mitchell) and Eliza (Callie Stephens). All six have graduated from Art School and, as they fight to achieve their career dreams, it is the bond of friendship that keeps them going.

Ultimately, what makes The Dreamers such a relatable and heartwarming series is that we all know what it's like to endure the desperation, heartbreak and struggle it can be to make your dreams become a reality. Watching The Dreamers you get a true sense that these are real people that you could easily run into on the street. There isn't anything that feels manufactured for the sake of plot.

However, there is much more to The Dreamers. Like any good series, it focuses on the romantic lives of the main characters. Relationships end, new ones begin, but through it all the bonds of friendship are never broken. These are characters I would want to meet for coffee or a drink.

Do Kara, Cavin, Clarissa, Jackson, Brad and Eliza find the success and love that they want? You are going to have to watch to find out, and I urge you do so.

The Dreamers' Kelsey Jorissen and guest star
Michael Goldberg.

I was honored to have a chance to see the dynamic Kelsey Jorissen in action. Jorissen not only stars as Kara, but is also the writer and director of the series. It was fascinating watching her jump between acting and directing, especially as she was playing opposite someone (me) who has never acted before a day in his life.

I sat down with Kelsey after the shoot was over, and we spoke about what it was like for The Dreamers to be nominated for two Indie Series Awards, her goals for the show, and why The Dreamers is an Indie worth checking out. Read our exclusive interview below:

5th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show (Part 3): Cherish Lee, Kit Williamson, Brea Grant, Dane Ohlrogge, Kelsey Jorissen, Coco Fernandez, Jonathan Holbrook, Jillian Clare, Patrika Darbo, Brandon Goins, Colleen Zenk & Philip Cook

In Part 3 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV's 5th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show, Michael Goldberg chats with Cherish Lee, who offers a sample of her latest single. Also featured are EastSiders nominees Kit Williamson and Brea Grant; Dane Ohlrogge, Kelsey Jorissen and Coco Fernandez from the nominated ensemble of The Dreamers; four-time nominee Jonathan Holbrook of STILL; Clutch star and nominee Jillian Clare, who won the award for Best Supporting Actress - Drama; Patrika Darbo, from the nominated Bloomers ensemble and the upcoming Acting Dead; Tainted Dreams actors Brandon Goins and Colleen Zenk, who was also nominated for her work in Thurston; and Philip Cook from Malice, who took home Best Special Effects award.

Watch Part 3 (Episode 5.28) below and stayed tuned for more Red Carpet interviews soon.



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- 5th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show (Part 1): Carolyn Hennesy, Sebastian La Cause, Christine Lakin, Eric Martsolf, Darin Brooks & Kelly Kruger
- 5th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show (Part 2): Lisa Roumain, Darcie Siciliano, John Cramer, Jade Harlow, Vanessa Verduga, Michele Kanan, Sean Kanan, Brent Bailey, Joanna Sotomura, Jessica DiGiovanni, Brennan Caldwell & Josh Duboff

ISA5 Spotlight #1: Nominee Reaction - Carolyn Hennesy, Sebastian La Cause, Michael Caruso, Jillian Clare, Caitlynne Medrek, Armando Saldanamora, Kelsey Jorissen & Mike Donis

Nominees for the 5th Annual Indie Series Awards were revealed in a special episode of We Love Soaps TV on Wednesday. (You can find a complete list of nominees here.) The ISAs celebrate the best in independently produced, scripted entertainment created for the Web.

The 5th Annual ISAs will take place on April 2 at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, hosted by Carolyn Hennesy. Over the next two months, We Love Soaps will put the "Spotlight" on the nominated series, as well as the nominees in front of and behind the camera. Check out our first Spotlight feature below which includes reactions from Michael Caruso, Sebastian La Cause, Jillian Clare, Caitlynne Medrek, Armando Saldanamora, Kelsey Jorissen and Mike Donis.

ISA5 host and Single Siblings guest star Carolyn Hennesy:

The fact that my time on the Single Siblings set was one of the happiest work days in many moons for me is truly the cake. The nomination is the icing, the sprinkles and the delightful butter-cream rosettes all rolled into one. A sublime experience all around. So many thanks Meryl Hathaway, Chris Alvarado and my "hubs" Jim O'Heir! Excelsior!

Hustling producer/director/writer/actor Sebastian La Cause:

The support and recognition of Hustling by the ISAs is overwhelming and incredibly joyful. It's extremely motivating and will continue to inspire me well beyond the ceremony.

DeVanity producer/writer/actor Michael Caruso:

The cast and crew of DeVanity are so incredibly honored to be recognized alongside so many other series we love and respect. This is an exciting time for web series, and we are thrilled to be returning to the ISAs for the third year in a row.