Lauren McDowell
ACTOR / WRITER / FILMMAKER
LAUREN MCDOWELL is an actor, artist, and writer.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Lauren cultivated a variety of creative interests from a young age in the visual, performing, writing, photographic, and filmmaking arts. She pursued these interests as a student at the University of Southern California. At USC, in addition to technical skills and a holistic education, she gained a particular insights into the entertainment industry and the creative incubation at work in the hub and heart of culture that Los Angeles offers.
Lauren received a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Narrative Studies, and minors in Art and Classics.
After graduating, Lauren returned to North Carolina to continue building skills, experience, and community in the performing arts. She quickly got involved with a number of theatre arts organizations: community theaters, grassroots playwriting groups, artist collectives and more.
Lauren McDowell lrnwks@gmail.com
ACTING
THEATRE
2025
Too Much Tea by Lane Brafford, Gotta Pee dir. Nicki Pappas, Main Street Theater of Rock Hill (One Act Play)
2024
Night of January 16th by Ayn Rand, Karen Andre dir Dr. Elizabeth Peterson-Vita, Union County Playmakers
2023
Shotgun by Laura Scott Cary, Yarrow dir. Matt Cosper, XOXO Performance (Staged Reading)
Now & Then by Sean Grennan, Abby dir. Polly Adkins, Fort Mill Community Theater
Office Hours by Kimberly Saunders, Sierra dir. Kimberly Saunders, Huntersville Arts & Cultural Center (Staged Reading)
Iced Tea New Play Table Reads, Queen City New Play Initiative (Cold Reads)
2022
Proof by David Auburn, Catherine (lead) dir. Polly Adkins, Fort Mill Community Theater
Fall One Acts, Lead in One Act Play, dir. Annie Laurie Wheat, Main Street Theater, Rock Hill
2014
Antigone by Sophocles, Messenger (supporting) dir. Matt Cosper, Charlotte Latin School
TELEVISION
2025
“I’d Kill to Be You,” Co-star, Lifetime Network.
AWARDS
2022
Won, Best Actress in a Non-Musical, for Catherine in Proof, Metrolina Theatre Association Awards, 2021-2022 Season. Charlotte, NC
SHORT PLAYS WRITTEN + PRODUCED
2024
“Dog Practice,” Production, October 2024
Main Street Theater of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC
“Desert Fish,” Production, February 2024
Family Promise of Rock Hill, Fort Mill, SC
2023
“Hat Walk,” Production, June 2023
MTD Arthouse Theater, Newberry, SC
“RIP Bertha”, Production, March 2023
Main Street Theater of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC
“Hideout / Outhouse”, Production, February 2023
Theater Fundraiser, Family Promise of Rock Hill, SC
2022
“Hat Walk”, Production, September 2022
Main Street Theater of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC
EDUCATION
2019
Bachelor of Arts, Narrative Studies, Magna Cum Laude, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Department of English, University of Southern California
Minor in Digital Studio Art, Roski School of Art and Design, Minor in Classical Perspectives, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Department of Classics
Performance Art under American Performance artist and filmmaker Patty Chang
The Culture of Athenian Democracy (Theatre + Philosophy) under USC President CL Nikias
Experimental Film/Video Art under artist and filmmaker Jennifer West
Dikemes International Center for Hellenic & Mediterranean Study Athens, Greece (2018)
Classical Theater under Demetrios Kritsotakis
Charlotte Latin School HS Diploma (2015)
COURSEWORK / CONTINUED EDUCATION
2025 - Film Acting, Weekly - Vedra Grant, Dortch Acting Studio, Charlotte, NC (Ongoing)
2024 - Film Acting Intensive Workshop - Stacia Crawford, Alicia Fusting, & Pat Dortch, Wilmington, NC
2022 - Meisner Intensive Workshop - Insight Acting Studio, Beth Becka, Wilmington, NC
2019 - Performance Art & Prosthetics, USC Roski School of Art and Design. Performance art pieces performed under performance artist Patty Chang, Los Angeles, CA
2021 - Improvisation Level 1, OTC Improv, Fort Mill, SC
