Lauren began hanging around theatre nearly 35 years ago. He studied acting at the St. Nicholas Theatre Company in Chicago, founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy, and then appeared on stage in Chicago, LA, and New York. As a member of Chicago’s Griffin Theatre Company, Lauren performed in the Jeff Award winning Riding the Dolphin and traveled to LA with it. In LA, Lauren became a member of Virtual Theatre Project (VTP) and originated roles in Kato McNickle’s, A Yankee Trader and in John Ahlin’s critically acclaimed Gray Area. Also with VTP, he directed the world premieres of Elizabeth Appell’s, Confessions of a Catholic Child and Josh Faigen’s, Gail Can See for Three Days.  Most recently, Lauren was seen as Jim Casy and Pa Joad in Of Grapes and Nuts.