May 27

May 27 Lauren Sowa - Actor + Producer

Lauren is an NYC-based artist who spends her days bouncing between work in acting, producing, and photography. She also dedicates her time as co-president for NYC Women Filmmakers, an organization that supports underrepresented women, non-binary, and GNC creators in every aspect of the entertainment industry. A proud alumni of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Lauren’s “free time” mostly consists of puppy cuddles and working toward her goal of acting in every Shakespeare play. (Current tally: 16 and counting.)

The Basics:

Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Current city: New York, NY
Alma mater: New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts
Degree: B.F.A., Drama
Very first job: Actor in a professional Christmas show, age 9
Hustle: Actor + Producer; Co-President, NYC Women Filmmakers

The Interests:

Babe you admire and why?
I’ve always admired the way Reese Witherspoon took control of her career by creating her production company, Hello Sunshine. She was a part of a generation of actresses who decided to claim their producing power, and create the content they believed in. It’s been motivating for me to have her example to follow.

A book that you always recommend?
Station Eleven by Emily St. Mandel

Favorite film of all-time?
Probably The Princess Bride. It’s nostalgic.

What’s your favorite thing to do or see in NYC?
After more than a decade in this city I love how I can still discover new things. I’m always drawn to green spaces, so I love a good stroll in one of the parks. Central Park and Fort Tryon Park are two favs, but I also have a soft spot for Washington Square Park from my NYU days.

What are your after hours tricks for unwinding?
Puppy cuddles are a great stress reliever. Any time I need a break from screens I go find wherever my dog is sleeping and force her to cuddle with me. We adopted her from Puerto Rico during the pandemic, and it has been the best thing.

What’s something you want to learn or master?
I recently inherited my grandmother’s upright piano and I’ve been trying to teach myself. The lessons I had as a kid only went so far! I would love to be able to sit down and play and lose myself in the music.

The Hustle:

Tell us about your hustle, providing a summary of your roles and the work you do daily.
As an artist, I live in and through my work. My days are a combination of acting, producing, photography, and volunteering for NYC Women Filmmakers, a non-profit where I serve as Co-President alongside our founder, Cidney Hue.

How does being an actor affect your perspective as a producer?
I was inspired to begin producing after reading a series of disappointing female roles in film projects. After NYU, I did a number of regional theatre gigs, playing incredible women in Shakespeare, and early American classics. When I began pursuing film and tv more seriously, I was looking for the roles that would compare with playing Juliet, or Desdemona, and I wasn’t finding them. So, I decided to start producing the kind of work I wanted to see in the film space. I think all actors should produce at some point in their career. You learn so much about the process of getting a film made. As actors, we’re typically the last people brought onto a project and the first people to finish. This leaves a lot of creativity happening before and after we do our part. As a producer, you get to be a part of all of that—and I find that very satisfying.

How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
I attended drama school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. I’m so grateful for the conservatory training I received there, alongside my liberal arts education. It truly prepared me to be a good actor and a thoughtful human being. I can’t say it prepared me much for the industry side of the business, and certainly not to be a producer. A lot of what I’ve learned about filmmaking has been through doing.

What types of projects do you enjoy creating?
Media is our greatest influence. It has the power to change our culture, so I feel a great responsibility to the stories we tell and how we shape the next generation. I want to be a part of projects that reflect the world as it could be. I’m drawn to sci-fi, drama, thriller, fantasy, and social impact work. Always female-forward, always inclusive.

How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
Being a woman in the entertainment industry is a test of strength. I’ve dealt with sexual harassment, threats, gaslighting, overt comments about appearance or weight, and intense competition. I once had a teacher say that you need to have thick skin to survive in the industry, but thin skin to remain vulnerable in the craft. I try to emulate this. By supporting women-led projects, you can champion women in decision-making positions: writers, directors, producers, execs, etc. We strive to reach gender parity in this industry, which we hope will create safer spaces for women to do their work. As a viewer, you vote with your dollars and your time. If you choose to support women in the entertainment industry, that translates to value as those filmmakers pitch their next project. So, the next time you see a film directed by a woman in the theater—buy a ticket! Bring a friend!

What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
I have a goal of performing in all of Shakespeare’s plays throughout my career. So far, I’ve done 16 of the plays, and counting...

How has community impacted your career in entertainment?
Living in New York, I’ve been fortunate to find several communities who have made a big city feel warm and welcoming. My Tisch community, The Shakespeare Forum, and NYC Women Filmmakers come to mind. The common denominator amongst them is a safe, friendly, and supportive environment which allows you to thrive as an artist. In the case of NYCWF, what started as a small meet-up of women working in the film industry, has blossomed into a strong community of over 6000 filmmakers. Connections are being made every day in the group, as people find crew for their films, ask for advice, and support one another. This kind of community is what we need to level up, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
Shonda Rhimes, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Chastain, Michaela Coel, Phoebe Waller-Bridge

If you could bring one book to life on the big screen, what would it be and why?
Books get snapped up by production companies before they are even published these days! There are a couple that I wish I could have been a part of; Station Eleven is currently filming, and Such a Fun Age was optioned by Lena Waithe’s company. There is a play that I’m trying to option right now, written by a very talented playwright. I can’t say too much because we’re still in talks. It takes place in my home town, so it’s special to me. Fingers crossed!

Career and/or life advice for other babes?
It may sound cliche but don’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity. Create your own opportunity and use it to position yourself to where you want to be. Too often, artists think they need to be chosen, when actually you can choose yourself. Others are doing it every day, why not you?

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram / Twitter / Website

This interview has been condensed and edited.

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