Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Lauzon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Paula. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child, I’d always enjoyed appearing in school plays. While I’d been made fun of, I really enjoyed being in costume and make-believe. My life had many different twists and turns. Eventually, I was able to get back to my first love, acting, and I had returned to the stage via Community Theater, in Fall River, MA, where I was born. I was so afraid of being among other people and what they’d think of me, but, that Community embraced me, accepted me, never judged me and to this day, they are still my good friends and ‘Theatre Family’.
I had begun my relationship with the Little Theatre of Fall River (LTFR) company, by being part of the ensemble cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, and Titanic-The Musical. After some time I eventually became well known for my role as “Aunt Eller” at the Little Theatre of Fall River’s October 2013, production of R&H’s Oklahoma. Myself, along with the entire cast, received rave reviews by Tony Annicone of Don Gillis’, Little Rhody Theatre. Joined by my son, Jacob Cabral, my final stint with the LTFR was in the production of Monty Python’s, Spamalot. It was during this final production that I began doing “extra” work for a variety of films and commercials.
Eventually, I broke into both nationally and internationally known music videos such as, The Portuguese Kids, Thrift Shop Parody, King Lil G’s Cold Christmas, and most recently, Franz Ferdinand’s, Feel the Love. I was seen in a variety of national ads from Lyrica (print ad), as well as TV/video ads. My face has become quite familiar in Ring’s, ‘Secure Mani/Pedi’ Commercial, Jardience, Glucerna, and Chase.
I also had roles in student films and short films, all of which have been submitted and won various awards at Film Festivals around the Country and in Cannes, France. I also had roles in Unusual Suspects, Murder Book Mystery, VETTv, Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, and can be seen in many more various television shows and movies.
My journey of moving out to Los Angeles is a good one: Armed with a dream and a vivacious personality, as a Fall River native, I’d done something most middle-aged adults would find frightening, even crazy, but I have proven that taking chances is not just for 20-somethings. While still living back East, I had attended masterclasses with Steve Blackwood, former Bart Beiderbecke, of Days of Our Lives. After approximately a year’s worth of classes, Steve told me that there was nothing more he could teach me that I didn’t know and I should head to LA. With my son’s blessing, I followed his advice. I sold or gave away what I could, packed what little was leftover, into my car, and drove myself across the Country. I’d arrived in Los Angeles with $40 in my pocket, and with the help of some very close friends, I have been able to accomplish my dream of becoming a working actress.
On and off, when money was available, I’d taken acting classes, specifically with the well-regarded Brionne Davis of Acting Up Network, who is now with Actor’s Vibe Studios, Burbank CA.
Now that I am in Durham, NC, I am represented in the Los Angeles Market, as well as the NYC/ATL/SE Region Markets.
Since being here in NC, I’ve been auditioning weekly, booking work, most recently, a Short Film. I’ve also been Casting Projects and have recently Directed my First Short Horror Film, which will be submitted to Festivals. I’ve also begun a small business, The Durham School of Acting, with my classes beginning December 7, 2019.
I am also a Member of the Television Academy, November 2018 to Present; A Judge for the Burbank International Film Festival, October 2018 to Present; a Guest Speaker for the Raleigh Film and Art Festival, October 2019, and a Member and Judge for the Raleigh Film and Art Festival, October 2019 to Present.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Actually, no, it hasn’t. There is A LOT of personal stuff that have contributed to me being where I am today.
I’m unsure whether coming from the background I had, had anything to do with it, but, making the choices, smart or not, over the years, and many weren’t, set me up, in both my Professional and Personal life, to have a thick skin in this Industry. ‘Can’t’, ‘no’, ‘you’ll never amount to anything’, and, ‘who do you think you are, special?’, are not in my vocabulary. I have learned and earned, knowing my worth, perseverance, determination and more specifically, accepting and loving who I am.
Btw, having my son, was one of THE best things that have happened to me. He’s my heart with arms and legs on it.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
There’s just so many things; I love Acting; I love being someone else, and telling a Story. I have also fallen in love with Directing and Casting Projects. I have an eye, for what I see through the lens, that others don’t see; I also have an eye for Talent.
I’ve been told that I’m an Actor’s Director. I love watching the monitor or looking through the lens, and seeing talent bring a character to life and then speaking with them, and letting them allow me to pull more from them because I know what’s in there… I love to watch the joy in their faces, after 1-3 takes, and moving onto the next scene, that they did it. I know my worth, and I know their worth. I know what they’re capable of.
I also enjoy coaching talent for auditions, which I do via Skype or in-person and also am offering Classes at my newly established The Durham School of Acting, located in Durham NC.
As far as what sets me apart from others, I couldn’t offer that to you; I feel you’d need to ask people that know me and what I’m capable of.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would most likely think about the poor choices I’d made in the past, and taken a different path, although, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and the person that I am, if not for these choices. My father had always wanted me to join the Service. After being in the Corporate Sector for approximately 30 years, being as rebellious and thick-headed as I am, I’m sure I would’ve been thrown in the brig or Court Martial-ed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.castingnewlives.com/paula-lauzon/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: _mplauzon_ and durhamschoolofacting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulalauzon2015/
- Twitter: @LauzonPaula
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/paulalauzon2015/
Image Credit:
Getty Images – 71st Emmy Awards – Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Paula Lauzon attends the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Photo of Seth MacFarlane, taken by Becki Dennis, Actress @ the 71st Emmy Awards (Red Carpet) @ Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019.
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