Lauren Du Pree
Lauren Du Pree is an actor, vocalist, writer, and filmmaker from Seattle, WA. After studying musical theatre at Howard University, she began working at theaters like The Kennedy Center, 5th Avenue Theatre, and Ford’s Theatre, until her failing health prophetically revealed how she'd been dimming her light to fit into an industry that was never created with her in mind. These health issues felt like an obstacle in the way of her purpose, but refocusing revealed her greatest strength was in her biggest perceived weakness. She began sharing her healing journey online through her blog, Just Du Pree, and started writing the stories she wasn't given the opportunity to tell as an actor. The lessons we learn during the challenges of life equip us to help others; that is the purpose of her work. Art should make us feel a little more seen and a little less alone. Most importantly, it is a tool for positive change.
Past credits include Orphie in Orphie And The Book Of Heroes (The Kennedy Center), Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Ford's Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre (Ragtime, Man of La Mancha, Annie, Rock of Ages, The Pajama Game), and Village Theatre (Dreamgirls, My Heart Is the Drum, String). Lauren is an original cast member of the nationally syndicated PBS television show Biz Kid$. In 2019 she produced her first live show, A Night With Just Du Pree, combining all the things she loves: good music, tasty food, holistic health, and comedy. In June, she premiered her musical film shot in quarantine, Untitled: A Quarantine Playlist, during the We Out Here Festival. Her alter ego, Carmen with a K, a fame-obsessed Instagram model, was recently featured in the Sovereign Film Festival 2020. Lauren is a 4Culture 2020 Arts Projects Grant recipient and an invited resident for Village Theatre’s new BIPOC Residency Program. She is also the founder and CEO of Just Du Pree Productions LLC, a film production company committed to creating content written by Black artists to inspire, heal, and create positive change. When not on stage or in front of the camera, Lauren manages a blog chronicling her healing journey from a widely unknown iatrogenic condition, topical steroid withdrawal syndrome. Most recently Lauren was in East of the Mountains starring Tom Skerritt, which premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2021. During the pandemic she’s had the opportunity to emcee multiple conferences and fundraisers including Re-Imagining Behavioral Health in the 21st Century: Race, Equity, and Social Justice, the AFP Advancement NW Annual Conference, and the Washington Green Schools Better Together fundraiser.