LAUREN VELDHUIZEN
Performed as Romaine in Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution
Department of Theatre & Dance in Fall 2023 at Wake Forest University
This past spring I was the recipient of the Johnnie Collins III Drama Scholarship at Wake Forest. From a generous bequest from Johnnie Collins III, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student in the spring of his or her freshman year. The scholarship is presented to the student “judged to show the most promise for succeeding in the professional entertainment field, as opposed to educational or amateur theatre.” I am extremely grateful and humbled by this award, and I plan to use the money to further my theatre and performance education and bring my knowledge back to the Wake Forest Theatre Department to heighten the quality and connection of the theatre community.
Awarded Johnnie Collins III Drama Scholarship
Department of Theatre & Dance in Spring 2023 at Wake Forest University
This past spring I was the recipient of the Johnnie Collins III Drama Scholarship at Wake Forest. From a generous bequest from Johnnie Collins III, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student in the spring of his or her freshman year. The scholarship is presented to the student “judged to show the most promise for succeeding in the professional entertainment field, as opposed to educational or amateur theatre.” I am extremely grateful and humbled by this award, and I plan to use the money to further my theatre and performance education and bring my knowledge back to the Wake Forest Theatre Department to heighten the quality and connection of the theatre community.
Performed as Margaret in Spring Mainstage Production of Silent Sky
Department of Theatre & Dance in Spring 2023 at Wake Forest University - 03/30-04/08
I am thrilled to announce that I have landed my first lead role in a Wake Forest University Mainstage production in the Spring of 2023. I had the pleasure of playing the lovely and grounded Margaret Levitt, loyal sister of Henrietta Levitt, an astronomer whose discoveries resulted in the first measurements of our vast universe. This role was a blessing in every sense of the world. Margaret is creative, strong, and both emotionally and intellectually intelligent. She represents the more traditional route that many women take in their lives, that of being a mother and wife. I am honored to have played such an amazing woman, a woman who I feel represents the most important woman in my life, my mother. They represent sacrifice and selfless love for both their family and their creative endeavors. Additionally, this story was a thrill to explore as every woman's story deserves to be told, with Henrietta and Margaret Levitt being no exception. This role challenged me emotionally and yet, every time I stepped into her shoes, I felt as though I was coming home. I cannot wait to see what else is in store as my freshmen year at Wake Forest comes to an end and my Sophomore year begins.
Lead Role as Maniac in
The Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Anthony Aston Player Production in Fall 2022 at Wake Forest University - 11/10-12/22
My first semester at Wake Forest University has been an absolute blur. I immediately got involved in the theatre program and auditioned for the Anthony Aston Players student production of The Accidental Death of an Anarchist. The rehearsal process for this show was fast paced with a short amount of time, so a large amount of work had to be done quickly and efficiently. What came out of it was a hilarious Italian political-comedy that critiqued the corruption of the government and their coercion with the police at the time. I played the Maniac, who was originally written as a man, but we decided to gender-bend the role for our casting purposes. The Maniac messes with members of the police force by pretending to be a judge reopening a previously closed case, which ultimately led to the uncovering of massive amounts of corruption and lies. This show was so much fun to unravel and dive into, and I am so grateful for being able to have performed in my first lead role at Wake Forest!
Awarded Presidential Scholarship in Both Music & Theatre at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University - May 2022
After months of writing essays, submitting applications, and anxiously awaiting responses, I am thrilled to announce that I will be attending Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC in the fall of 2022 to continue my education. Not only that, but I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship in Theatre for my artistic and technical abilities within the theater as a whole. Shortly after I received this exciting news, I was also awarded the Presidential Scholarship in Music for my vocal abilities and passion for music. These scholarships are extremely prestigious, as only 3-5 people are awarded the scholarships every year, and only 3% of Wake Forest University's incoming student body receives a merit scholarship. I am deeply honored by these awards, and I cannot wait to see what Wake Forest has in store over the next four years!
Broadway Debut at the Gershwin Theater Performing in Arts for Autism Benefit Concert
Gershwin Theater, New York City - June 2022
This might have been one of the best, if not the best, experiences of my life. In December of 2021, I learned about an opportunity to perform on Broadway. It felt like a pipe-dream at the time, but I put everything I had into pursuing the opportunity, and I ended up being cast as a singer and a dancer in a group would perform a number in a benefit concert called Arts for Autism. This incredible event is "a one night annual Broadway benefit concert where the biggest names on Broadway join performing arts students from around the country onstage at the
Gershwin Theater, home to Broadway's production of Wicked" (Arts for Autism). The ultimate goal of the concert is to perform while "spread[ing] acceptance, and inspir[ing] compassion, kindness, and understanding for those impacted by autism" (Arts for Autism). The money raised from the concert is distributed in the form of grants between $1,000 and $5,000, and these grants are then used to fund research or projects that will increase awareness about autism and give kids who have autism incredible opportunities. For my group's number, we performed "Morning Glow" from the musical Pippin, and all I can say is performing on that stage, with those people, for that cause, was a dream com true. It was truly something that I will never forget, and all I can say is that I cannot wait to go back.
Performed in YoungLife Benefit Concert Broadway to Africa
Valor Christian High School - June 2022
I recently closed a show called Broadway to Africa, a collection of musical theatre performances put on by more than a hundred community members from the Denver Metro area who have a passion for theatre and helping others. The performance raises money for scholarships to YoungLife camps in Africa and the Middle East, an organization that means a great deal to me and many other people. The process consisted of Sunday rehearsals and a tech week filled with long hours and laughter, and the final product was a wonderful one. We raised thousands of dollars for these scholarships whilst getting a chance to perform and use what I love for a greater good. It was truly an experience that every performer dreams of being a part of.
Awarded Overall Excellence in the Conservatory
at Conservatory Senior Showcase
Valor Christian High School Performing Arts Conservatory - 04/23/22
I have been a part of my high school's Performing Arts Conservatory for four years. As my emphasis is musical theatre, every semester I would perform a musical theatre or opera piece as a demonstration of my growth and talent, but this past Saturday was my final showcase performance at Senior Showcase. I performed a combination of the two Sondheim pieces "Good Thing Going" and "Growing Up" from the musical Merrily We Roll Along. These songs, when combined, perfectly encapsulated how I wanted to leave the Conservatory and what I wanted to leave with it. In addition to the performances, awards are given out by the heads of each department, and I was honored with the award of Overall Excellence in the Conservatory. This award was the highest distinction that a Conservatory student could earn, so it is easy to say that I am both humbled and honored by this award and I am so grateful for the skills, friendships, and mentorship that the Valor Performing Arts Conservatory provided me.
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Performed as Title Role in Anastasia
Spring Musical 2022 at Valor Christian High School - 02/24/22-03/05/22
This experience was one of the most difficult and rewarding that I have done. When my high school announced that my senior spring musical was going to be Anastasia, I immediately knew that I had to audition for Anya. I worked for hours on my audition pieces, which ultimately paid off. The cast came out, and I saw my name next to Anya's and what came in the following weeks I can only describe as excruciatingly difficult and joyful. Learning Anya's vocal track and finding a way to sing it in a way that made since for my voice was definitely challenge, but I loved singing every second of that stunning score. The weeks of dance calls, vocal rehearsals, and acting workshops that were done ultimately produced a show that I am still unbelievably proud of. The combination of the music, set and costumes, dancing, and passion and energy from the cast made this show one to remember. Along with being the lead in this show and putting in countless hours to make my performance the best that it can be, I was once again head of hair and makeup. Alongside Victoria Xikes, I researched and designed 20+ wigs and hairstyles and makeup looks, and personally styled 15 of those wigs (The wig depicted in the picture was among the wigs I styled). This show was truly a blessing and a journey, but it is one that I am grateful for every day.
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Valor Music Awards Host &
Win for Original Song "Truth"
Valor Music Awards 2022 at Valor Christian High School - 01/21/22
This night has to be one of my favorites from this year. The Valor Music Awards, or the VMA's, are a longstanding annual Valor tradition that honors students in the Singer, Songwriting, and Music Production side of the performing arts. The night mimics the Grammy's with attire, awards, performances, and even hosts. This year, I had the privilege of hosting the VMA's alongside my best friend Victoria Xikes. We introduced performers, announced categories and nominees, and awarded winners. I also had the honor of performing my own original song, "Truth," as it was nominated for Song of the Year, Lyric of the Year, and Best New Artist. Performing my own song was such a blessing, and became even more so when I won the award for Best New Artist. I have only been in songwriting field for a short amount of time, but it is something that I am thrilled to continue and explore as I grow in my vocal and musical abilities.
Critic's Choice Award
Thescon 2021 at the Bellco Theatre - 12/04/21
This past December, I attended Thescon, a state-wide theatre conference and competition of more than 6,000 students and teachers. Out of those 6,000 people, 4,000 compete in Individual Events (or "Thespys") that can consist of Musical Theatre, Straight Theatre, or Technical Theatre performances or showcases of skill. My solo Musical Theatre performance of the song "Clockwork" from the musical The Clockmaker's Daughter, music by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn, was one of ten IE's that received the Critic's Choice Award and was chosen to perform on Main Stage in front of the entire conference. In order to receive this coveted award, the act must receive all Superior scoring (the highest score possible) in a multitude of categories, including Character, Voice, and Movement.
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Valor Vespers: Sight
Vespers 2021 at Valor Christian High School - 12/10-11/21
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Valor Vespers is a tradition that is unique to my high school. It is an original Christmas show that is put on by every performing arts department in the school: Dance, Theatre, and Music. Usually, this show is written by the heads of the department, but this year, we had the privilege of performing a production written by my good (and extremely talented) friend David Gardener. He created a tear-jerking, joy-filled story that had love and Jesus at the center of every moment, making this experience that much sweeter. I had the honor and privilege of playing the role of Faith, a mother who tragically loses her life but acts as a guardian angel for the lost family throughout the course of the show. The countless hours and passion that it took to put this show on was unimaginable, but the love for the characters, music, and story made the work worth it. I am so grateful to have been able to have this opportunity to perform something that demonstrates God's love and mercy through a family broken by grief that finds strength in one another and the gift of Jesus. It was the best way to begin the December season of giving, love, and cheer. Merry Christmas!
Valor Conservatory Showcase
Fall Showcase 2021 at Valor Christian High School - 11/18/21
The Valor Conservatory for the Performing Arts is a program within my high school that aims to prepare students for an arts related career through skills-based lessons, bi-yearly juries, and bi-yearly showcases. I am currently a Senior at Valor on the Musical Theatre track in the conservatory, but for my showcase this year, I decided to step outside of my musical theatre comfort zone and attempt an aria. The classical singing style is extremely new to me, but the moment I tried I knew that my voice was made for it. When I found this particular song, "In uomini, in soldati" from the opera Cosí fan tutte by Mozart, I instantly fell in love with it. The fast-paced energy and comedic timing of the piece makes it extremely fun to sing, as well as the legato elements that give it the bel canto style. I am so excited to continue exploring this type of music, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me!
10 Min One-Woman Showcase
Fall Performance 2021 at Valor Christian High School - 12/10-11/21
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I did this particular project in my Performance Ensemble Class, and it has been one of my favorite theatre processes and performances. The goal of this project is to ultimately perform a 9-12 minute monologue or solo scene portraying a person whom the actor is passionate about, which ultimately creates a show of 10-15 monologues put on by students. We act as researchers, writers, costume & set designers, tech crew, producers, and of course, actors, to put on the final product. For my show, I chose to portray Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a woman who was a Soviet sniper in the Red Army during World War II. She claimed to have killed 309 soldiers, which earned her the nickname of Lady Death. Her life and accomplishments fascinated me and so the summer before my senior year (Fall 2021), I began the process of reading as many biographies and stories about her as I could. This research was foundational in the writing of my script, which I started as soon as school began. I carefully wove stories about her life into this 12 minute scene, and I am confident in saying that I am extraordinarily proud of the final product.
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VMA Nominations for
Original Song "Truth"
Singer-Songwriter Showcase 2021 at Valor Christian High School - 10/22/21
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This year was the year that I discovered song writing, a branch of the performing arts that I had yet to explore. Being completely new to songwriting scene, I had no idea what it took to write a song, let alone a song that meant something, but after much trial and error, I wrote my first original song called "Truth." I first showcased it at the 2021 Singer-Songwriter Showcase, accompanied by Jude Bylsma on guitar. Following this performance, my song was nominated for 3 categories for the 2022 Valor Music Awards: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, and Lyric of the Year.
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Student Director of You Can't Take It With You
Fall Play 2021 at Valor Christian High School - 10/9/21
At the beginning of the school year in August, I was given the opportunity to direct the understudy cast of Valor's fall production of You Can't Take It With You. Initially, I, along with the understudy cast, observed the rehearsal process and took copious notes on the blocking and characteristics of the principal actors. Once blocking was finished, my cast broke off and rehearsed on their own under my direction. I encouraged the actors while constructively critiquing them on professionalism, character, physicality, & energy while onstage. Unfortunately, when the time came for the understudy performance of the show, I was quarantined, but I am still so proud of my cast for what they accomplished and I am so grateful for the opportunity to discover my passion for directing.
Lead Actress in Hello Girls
Summer Musical 2021 at the Valor Christian High School - 08/19-21/21
This summer, I was cast in Valor's Summer Musical Hello Girls as Bertha, one of the first women to be a soldier in the United States military during WWI. The rehearsal process was fast paced, filled with blocking, dance, and vocal rehearsals where I, and the four other female leads, mastered the five-part harmonies that characterize the show. As we only had a month to put the show on, the schedule involved 9-5 rehearsals, 6 days a week. On top of that, I was co-head of hair and makeup, meaning that I researched and implemented time-period accurate styles for each and every character. While intense, the story of the women who played a part in the success of the United States during WWI was such a blessing to do and give to people. Those women deserve for their story to be told, and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of it.
