Lauren studied English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds where she graduated with First Class Honours, before gaining an MA with distinction in Theatre Education at Goldsmiths. During her time as a undergraduate she devised Wild Plums and Agrimony, a piece of feminist theatre and wrote and directed Mac the Hero, a play for three for to five year olds, which toured Leeds’ primary schools with an accompanying educational workshop.  This interest in theatre for young people continued throughout her MA and, following her post-graduate study, Lauren worked with the Young Writers’ Programme at the Royal Court; The National Theatre and the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre.

Lauren has enjoyed writing and directing for young people for a number of years and has written several plays for youth theatres, including the award-winning You May Now Begin, The Weight of Expectation and Hands Up For…?. Her other directing credits with teenagers include Animal Farm, Bugsy Malone, Oliver!, Annie and We Will Rock You.  Prior to coming to LAMDA, Lauren ventured into the world of directing adults, with productions of Blood Brothers (Willy Russell’s play) and Bryony Lavery’s Behind the Scenes at the Museum – both of which were nominated for best play at the Brent Awards.

Assistant Director credits at LAMDA include: A Prayer for Owen Meany (dir. John Baxter), Cloud Nine (dir. James Kerr), Memory of Water (dir. Stephen Jameson), Kindertransport (dir. Charlie Westenra), Dealer’s Choice (dir. Aaron Mullen), Redemption on Hammersmith Broadway (dir. Max Key) and Into the Woods (dir. Joanna Read).  Additionally, Lauren assisted on LAMDA’s scene for the Sam Wanamaker festival at the Globe Theatre and worked with Lyndsey Turner to direct classic Royal Court Scenes for their fundraising gala. During this period she also directed a celebration of Noel Coward songs; developed a folk theatre piece with the Actor’s Studio in Holland and directed Irons, a collaborative theatre piece based on interviews with fans of West Ham United.  She had recently formed the theatre company Local Girl Productions.