Taking Care of Yourself as an Artist / Workshop

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About This Workshop
Come join actor, writer, and filmmaker Lauren Du Pree for this free, hour-long, virtual workshop in which she’ll share lessons and guideance for artists on how to realign themselves authentically with their practice. As artists we are familiar with how the business aspects of art can force us into uncomfortable boxes and make us feel disconnected from our work. Refocusing on who we are as artists and as people can be vital to avoiding burnout and setting us on a genuine path. Here, Lauren will share the importance of authenticity in ones artistic practice, as well as offer healthy habits for taking care of ones whole self as an artist.

About the Instructor

Lauren Du Pree is an actor, vocalist, writer, songwriter, producer, director, 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 had been dimming her light to fit into an industry that was never created with her in mind. These health issues felt like an obstacle to 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 life’s challenges 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 theatre 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$, appeared in an episode of Shrill on Hulu, and the feature film, East of the Mountains, starring Tom Skerritt. In 2017 she began sharing comedic shorts online that she wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. The most notable character she created was Carmen with a K, a fame-obsessed Instagram model. Through Carmen with a K, Lauren began her exploration of the impacts of social media on individuals and society as a whole. The Carmen with a K series was selected for the Sovereign Film Festival 2020. Lauren’s short films No Tum-E Tea, featuring Carmen with a K, and Untitled: An exploration of the life I thought I wanted were selected for the Seattle Black Film Festival 2023. Lauren is a 4Culture 2020 Arts Projects Grant recipient, an invited resident for Village Theatre’s inaugural BIPOC Residency Program, an Artist Trust Grants for Artists’ Progress Award Recipient, Northwest Film Forum Collective Power Fund recipient, and was a resident at the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals 2023

About Artist Trust 
Artist Trust is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and encourage artists working in all disciplines to enrich community life throughout Washington State. Since its founding in 1986, Artist Trust has invested over $10 million in individual artists through grant programs and provides a comprehensive suite of professional development training and resources to help artists achieve their career goals. Learn more at artisttrust.org.

Have Questions?
Email Program Manager Grace Nakahara.

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Lauren Du PreeMental Health & WellnessWorkshops