Written by Regina Edner
Whether she’s playing opposite Denzel Washington in the film Roman J. Israel, Esq. or starring as Fantine in a stage production of Les Miserables, Lauren Ellen Thompson puts her heart into every role she takes on. The actress, singer, and producer earned her degree in theater arts from APU in 2011 and jumped right into the industry, appearing in dozens of productions of all genres and formats, including plays, musicals, short films, feature films, TV shows, commercials, and web series.
In addition to her most recent role in Roman J. Israel, Thompson played the lead in the movies Survival Skills, She Can Dance?, and Reckoning. Among many others, she has guest starred in the television series Unusual Suspects and Killer Kids. The lengthiest portion of her credits is in theatre, where she has performed in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, an Ovation-nominated production, and Into the Woods, Steel Magnolias, Streetcar Named Desire, Almost Maine, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Empty Glasses, just to name a few. Thompson has also been the face for several high-profile brands in commercials, including Verizon Fios, Nescafe, and G-Fuel Energy. In her fair share of new media experience, she has been the lead in Boredom Break, Super Hero Complex, Chaka Khan Music, and Soccer Moms, which she also produced. In addition to Soccer Moms, she has produced Bunny Water, Summer and Smoke, Our Town, and A Walk in the Woods. Music is another of Thompson’s passions, and she is well-versed in all styles. She performs as a lead vocalist for live events and studio sessions throughout California and sings at special parties and events across the United States and internationally.
Ever since she was putting on plays with her American Girl dolls in her living room as a child, Thompson has been passionate about performing. She especially loves the community aspect of performance, working together during weeks of rehearsals and then sharing their work for audiences. APU has helped Thompson prioritize her faith, keeping it in the center of her work and remembering that her true identity is in God, not her résumé. In her time at APU, Thompson learned the importance of having a strong community around her. She looks back fondly on her favorite memory as performing in a play with six women, exemplifying her desire for a collaborative team effort with a strong support system. Thompson has also given back to the arts community by helping young aspiring artists throughout Southern California and abroad by teaching acting, music, and dance. She is also an ABA therapist for children with autism and other special needs, and has tutored students in classrooms and helped with summer camps for foster youth.
Words of Wisdom: “Focus on being good and finding what makes you different. Make sure you are doing it because you truly love it, otherwise it's just not worth it.”
