Daily Inspiration: Meet Lauren Elder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Elder.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We moved around a lot when I was growing up, but most of that time was spent in California so I consider myself a California girl.I always knew I wanted to be a performer. I started the theater department at my high school, where they hadn’t put on a play in 30 years! Then I went to acting school in LA, where they told me I should do something else with my life. But I knew they were wrong and I kept going! A couple years later I moved to New York City to go to musical theater school at Circle In The Square, which is in the basement of a Broadway theater. After school, I started going to open calls and crashing union auditions. I eventually booked a show that was only supposed to be a two week gig, but changed my life forever. It was the 40th anniversary concert of Hair produced by the NY Public Theater and performed in Central Park. That production took me to Broadway where it won the Tony for best revival and then I went with the show to London, to perform in the west end for six months. When Hair closed I went back to NYC where I taught myself how to play ukulele and started writing music. Over the next few years I played in clubs around NYC, where I worked and auditioned for tv and theater, eventually playing parts on Boardwalk Empire, Law and Order SVU, and other iconic tv shows. I also recorded an album of my original music, won 1st place at the Masters of Musical Whistling International Competition, and did many more theatrical productions, including the Broadway Revival of Side Show. When the pandemic hit, I decided to come home to California for a couple months while it”all blew over” ha! But that began the bi-coastal life I had been dreaming of for years. I started auditioning in LA and joined the cast of the 25th Anniversary Revival of Reefer Madness and played gigs around town at iconic venues like The Hotel Cafe, still flying back to NYC for auditions and gigs there! And when I’m not performing I teach and coach other performers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh there have been many struggles! So many people have told me I’m not good enough to make it and that I should do something else, but I know I’m meant to be in this industry, so I keep going! That acting school that told me I should do something else? Well, they hung my picture on the wall and interviewed me for the alumni magazine once I Made it to Broadway!

It’s also a very unstable life when it comes to money. I don’t have job security, so I’m always trying to find new ways to get myself out there and make money.

And of course, the world has been a challenge! I moved to NYC 3 weeks before 9/11 and left 3 weeks into COVID. How’s that for bookends?! And now we have AI coming for our jobs! But again, I’ll keep going, keep creating, and keep performing, because that is what makes me feel most alive!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multi-hyphenate performing artist! I am an actor, singer, whistler, director, and composer. I’ve been lucky to perform on Broadway in the musicals Hair and Side Show, as well as professional theaters all over the world. I have performed on the TONY Awards and The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, I’ve sung at Carnegie Hall and in an Elton John concert. My album of original music (and whistling) is available on all platforms.

I think what I’m most proud of is that I haven’t given up. There can be long spells in between professional jobs, and that can be so hard – especially when people around you are booking jobs! But I’ll always keep going and keep looking for new ways to express my creativity.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Never let anyone tell you what you cannot do. They don’t get decide. Only you do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelaurenelder.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_elder
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lalabirdie?si=IQL94qLFbFWzzl_S
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PSJ7SJwB5pB4Co1Ve7keN

Image Credits
1st photo – Billy Baque
2nd photo – trying to find out who took this!
3rd and 4th photos – Summer LaLande