In 1960 he worked a follow spot in the lighting at the East 74th Street Theater for George Gershwin's Oh, Kay!
(with Linda Lavin, Penny Fuller, and Marti Stevens appearing as actors).
In 1987, Lewis joined the New World School of the Arts of the Miami Dade College as founding Dean of the Dance Department.
Lewis established the dance division's eight-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program.
In 2012, Lewis received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Florida.