Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Black.
Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Personal life backstory: I was born with a life threatening heart condition that required numerous open-heart surgeries by the age of three. I grew up in public low income housing, and was raised by a single, disabled, stimulant addicted mother who despite her own challenges and disabilities always provided the essentials such as food, clothes, and shelter. My mother always told me she did the best she could and that there was no “book” at the time on how to be a parent. My father was incarcerated. I was constantly bullied in school and struggled with mental health issues such as depression, learning difficulties, and alcoholism which resulted in me being an upset kid mad at the world.
Career Back story: I always had this urge in my soul as a kid to perform. I didn’t really know what it was at the time since it began when I was very young, but every time I finished watching television I would go into the bathroom and reenact the scenes in the mirror to myself. Another memory I have is that I would pick up my mother’s flip phone, change my voice, and voice-record lines in a different voice and act out the responses. For example, I would play the recording and act as if I was on the phone with someone. When the recording said, “Look behind you,” I would respond and look behind myself, start to panic, and “Act” surprised/frightened. I had no idea why I was so into it at the time, but looking back these were all natural urges of mine. Not because I saw someone do it but because I felt in my soul that I needed to. I needed to perform and pretend the made up scenarios were real.
As I got older I began to realize that everything I was doing fell in line with the career of acting and performing. So when I was eighteen and fully independent, and nobody could stop me, my dreams began!
I started with a strong urge to perform, deep passion, determination, and a CLEAR vision of what I wanted. I just didn’t know where or how to begin.
I knew that I didn’t want to sit in a classroom and have someone tell me what to do. I wanted to just go out there and do it. Hands-on, up close and personal with no fear of making mistakes because I knew if I ever got knocked down I would learn from it, get back up and continue to push forward.
I like to fail, matter of fact I LOVE to fail! I love to challenge myself in that way. It’s exciting and powerful to me. It really makes my blood boil, makes me work harder, and I become more connected to myself along the way. So there I was at eighteen years old with no clue about this business, but I managed to figure it out.
I started with being an extra on some hit movies and TV shows such as “The Ride ” and “13 Reasons Why”, and more. My goal was to soak up everything I could about the industry so I started networking with fellow actors. This is how I found out about casting sites and then my career really took off. I began acting in student films, short films, joined film-making groups, participated in 24-48 hour film festivals, attended networking events, and film screenings. I was getting headshots, resumes, and auditioning constantly. I was learning more and more. I was doing more and more. In time I was booking bigger parts, better productions and succeeding! I figured it out! After just a few years I had gained over 20 IMDB credits and tons of life long connections. But that wasn’t enough. I decided to take my career into my own hands by starting my own production company Lauren Black Productions (LBP) writing, producing, and starring in my own short drama films. I can’t stand it when I hear actors complain about not finding work. Well… ugh… write your own part and cast yourself then! Boom, you’re working. At that point in my career I needed to really perfect my craft so I enrolled in the two year professional Meisner Technique program. That brings us to the present moment right now in 2024. I have gained solid networking, hands-on experience, and intense training. I currently have over 30 IMDB credits, a solid resume, reel, and headshots. I am finally at a place in my career where I can call myself an ACTOR and mean it. Really mean it. I really understand the craft and business of being a working actor. I finally feel like my puzzle is complete , at least, like the beginning is complete just the beginning.
I still have a lifetime of learning ahead of me but I feel confident in where I am in my career today thus far. I am an authentic actor. I am an incredibly captivating and believable performer. I trust myself and I love myself. My job as a storyteller is to take you on this journey with me. My job is to make you FEEL something. My job is to take words that mean nothing on a piece of paper and breathe life into them. My job is to completely give up my soul and allow another soul into my body and TRULY understand where this character is coming from. I let them speak through me. I do just that and I do a darn good job of that. I have a good name in the industry. The films produced by LB Productions (Me) are doing very well on platforms such as Scenes Plus Prime Time channel on Roku, Amazon Fire tv, You-tube, and more! Lots of films I was cast in have won awards and can be found on Roku, Tubi, Amazon Prime, Scenes Plus, and more. I am booking Comedy shows, Plays, Film roles, and Commercials. I have turned into a booking machine and networking queen. Overall, I would say where I am at today is just a progression from where I started, but I still have one heck of a mountain to climb. It’s important to remember that with anything you do in life it’s not always just about the outcome but what really matters is the progress. Taking the time to just progress and grow into a better version of yourself along the way is Major. If I was still that angry, insecure, depressed, and addicted teenager who blamed the world for her circumstances and took no responsibility I think I would be in the same place I started no matter what I did for my career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Becoming an actor is a really hard job. You have to put A LOT of time and money into your career. You are creating a brand and a business at the end of the day. You must overcome things like always being worried about your performance and trying to fake or push emotions that you’re not really feeling. There are so many obstacles we face as actors just learning how to be a good actor. I was able to overcome this obstacle by learning to trust myself, letting go of what I think the scene should be and just showing up present in the moment and letting it be whatever it comes to be. I try to remember to have FUN because that’s the best part of the job is that it is a very fun and rewarding career path. And lastly by just being myself and not becoming what I think someone wants. One of the reasons I love to watch child actors on set is because they are not trying too hard or putting major pressure on themselves, they are just showing up being present and authentic.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Actor, Writer, Producer and Comedian. I am an overall sexy boss lady Entrepreneur. Most importantly I am a good person who lives to tell important stories and give love, support, and encouragement to others. I am an animal lover and a natural born fighter.
I specialize in playing broken-down women, victims, trauma survivors, powerful boss women, and seductive roles in film, television and theater.
I am known for my authentic, meaningful, captivating and emotionally raw performances. I am known for “going all in” on stage or on set, and my high energy, fun personality, and curvaceous features!
I am most proud of the inner work I have done. I have installed inner peace and self-awareness. I am proud I overcame trauma and I never gave up on my dreams when all I saw was black I still got back up and kept walking and trusted God.
Some things that sets me apart from the crowd is my mindset and work ethic. I outwork others. I am fearless. I mean I had heart surgery. What is more frightening than that? Nothing can intimidate me and I will not back down from something I want. I go to the extreme emotionally and physically in order to authentically walk in the characters’ shoes. Most actors won’t dig too deep emotionally because it could send them into a deep depression. But I do; I go there, not that it’s the right way to do it but that’s just my way. I want to really feel it, not act it. I remember to never judge my character. I always find reasons for why they did what they did. I will go into an unsafe dark place in my mind sometimes until I am feeling and believing these imaginary circumstances. I just go all in. One more reason that sets me apart is my personality and my authentic vibe. My soul shines bright, it’s beautiful. I walk with gratitude and with kindness. I am real, authentic; I am not afraid to be wrong and will gladly admit when I am; I’m not afraid to look silly and be myself. I am overall a unique living soul on this earth. I don’t say this with any cocky intention. I say this in a humble and truthful way. I am a free spirit.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I really like the book “The Secret” because it is all about manifesting and the law of attraction.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
actresslaurenblack/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Actresslaurenblack - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/
actresslaurenblack/ - Youtube: https://youtu.be/bLiOcd4LglQ
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/
nm10197194?ref_=hm_prof_name
Image Credits
Blaine Santos
Digi tallyy
