Welcome to the new Local Independent Film Spotlight. Each Humpday, aka Wednesday, Ladydewriter will feature the interesting personalities which make up the Local Independent Film industry in the DMV.
Today, I am tremendously pleased to introduce Lauren Cash. I first met Lauren at an acting workshop, at Bello Talent Management, in Takoma Park, Maryland which I was assisting with. Since then I’ve admired how she’s made inroads toward accomplishing her goals as an actress, and real player in the independent film world.
Follow my conversation with Lauren below:
Lauren, where are you originally from?
Originally, I am from Maryland which is where I currently reside today.
What got you interested in acting…where did the inspiration come from?
I got the role of Dorothy in a summer camp play and I just kind of fell in love with the craft of entertaining. It was so fun and just a great way to interact with other people, the whole experience just really inspired me.
How long have you been acting professionally?
I have been acting for about 5 years now. This is my first time I can fully say that I have a better chance to ‘go for it’ in a long time since I graduated from Howard University last year. I have proudly put a lot of time into school and I believe education is important.
Did you receive formal acting training? If so, where from?
When I went into acting seriously, it was during college and I didn’t really have any formal training, aside from improvisation groups when I was younger. College is where I started taking classes within Howard University’s Theatre Department, such as Creative Drama. Now I have completed scriptwriting and media production classes via the Communications Department at HU. Currently, Manuel Poblete assists me in acting training within his company, Bello Talent. I am in the works of receiving training from John Pallotta as well.
What are your ultimate goals or aspirations within the world of acting?
My ultimate goals in the world of acting would be to get recognition and use my talents for the greater good. It would be nice to be able to use my name to further promote campaigns that mean something such as anti-bullying or domestic abuse. Overall, I want to be able to help and communicate with many people.
What roles have you done in the past?
I’ve played Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ a Hispanic bartender, cocktail waitress, assassin, hotel clerk, car buyer, and the girl next door. I’ve also played a drunken girl for a play titled Abandoned as well as the lead in music videos by artists Pro’ Verb and Heron Gibran.
Which one was your favorite role?
All of these roles were so much fun to play, especially an assassin where I got to hold a prop gun and feel super bad ass! However, my favorite role would have to be Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz because of that initial feeling of being bitten by the infamous acting bug.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on my acting skills, and gathering opportunities – through classes and networking events – as well as writing my own script. We also just wrapped up shooting for that cool, assassin role, for the film Self Control which was a lot of fun! I will be headed to New York for the upcoming Manhattan Monologue Slam as well, which then turns into a networking event. Can’t wait!
Tell us more about the script you’re writing. Are you looking forward to producing your own film?
I think it’s always been in me to be a writer and I would love to produce my own film (aside from the 3 minute short that I wrote and produced for my media production class).
Growing up, I always loved to write. My friends and I used to bring a book to school and write in a story, passing it along to the next friend to read the new part and continue the story with our own style. You never knew what the person before you was going to write, but we did this for a long time throughout middle school. It was refreshing and an experience that would be too cool not too remember. As for the book… we didn’t always write during the most appropriate times in school. Definitely a great experience.
So what current personal project idea are you working on?
I have a project in mind but I can be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my personal work so I have been grooming this script for two years. It is a drama with a suspense feel to it, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!
What advice do you have for someone longing to, but doesn’t know how to break into acting in this area?
I would tell that person to get great headshots because that is the first thing that these casting agencies see when you submit for a role. There are sites also, such as Dragonuk and Pat Moran & Associates which is a great start. Also, don’t be too good to take on an extra role just to see how film shoots are run on a highly, professional level. The hours can be long but it is a great start to get the feel of it all! It is also a great time to network with the fellow actors and sometimes even the production crew!
Rejection is also going to come but it is important to pick your head up and keep it moving. Sometimes we are our worst critics. It is important to work on your craft and find ways to improve because no one is perfect and there is always room for improvement. If you don’t work on your craft, then chances are rejection may know you more than you want it to.
Keep focused, Have confidence and the rest is history!
Thank you Lauren! This is fabulous advice.
I am grateful to Lauren for talking with me this week. Her story is certainly interesting, and I can’t wait to see her grow further. The sky is the limit for Lauren as she strives to use her talent to give back to the community. Cheers Lauren!
Tune in next Wednesday as Ladydewriter highlights another fabulous personality in the local independent film industry.
CHImedia 