Meet Lauren Lee Garcia | Theatre Arts Teacher & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Lee Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren Lee, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
From a young age, I’ve been drawn to the arts, captivated by characters, performances, theater, and storytelling. In third grade, my teacher (who later became my host teacher during student teaching) was passionate about the arts. We put on a play about Pecos Bill using puppetry, where I performed as Slue-Foot Sue. I still have my puppet! It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our skills and creativity.

Creativity is essential to me; it’s how I explore life. I enjoy observing the world around me, finding beauty, and making connections.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education. Although I never initially saw myself as a teacher, I discovered a profound passion for guiding and connecting with youth. Witnessing their growth and watching them take pride in their unique skill sets has been incredibly rewarding.

My graduate studies program further broadened my horizons, introducing me to Actor-Musicianship and Sensory Theatre. Sensory Theatre, in particular, highlighted how audience members can engage with a performance through multiple entry points, encouraging inclusivity and impact.

I recently directed “Shrek the Musical Jr.” with Northglenn Youth Theatre (NYT), which was a fantastic experience. The passion and joy each youth cast member brought to reimagining beloved characters while staying true to the original made the process incredibly enjoyable. Collaborating with others to bring a fresh perspective to familiar stories — such as using the onion metaphor in “Shrek” to explore deeper emotions — continues to inspire me. (See photo of me with Onion.) 🙂

As I enter my sixth year as a Theatre Arts teacher, I recognize that the creative journey is constantly evolving. I’m learning to embrace failures and grow from them as I experiment with new ideas and methods. It’s all about finding a balance between enthusiasm and patience, allowing concepts to develop fully before implementation.

I unwind by reading, drawing, painting, “junk journaling”, biking, watching Will & Grace, and spending time with loved ones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creating connections with my audience is at the heart of what I do. During grad school, collaborating with established Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) creatives inspired me to write plays like “Hot Tamales” and “Cactus,” and to create a sensory show students at Marlborough School, all influenced by my experiences in grad school. My creative process is spontaneous; ideas come in the moment. Currently, I’m editing both plays. I believe a work is truly never finished; it continuously evolves.

One big challenge I’ve faced is that not everyone gets my work. When I was working on “Cactus,” there was some pushback from others, not because they couldn’t understand, but because they were in a different place in life. Being what felt like the only person like me in a foreign country made grappling with cultural identity tough, yet it was also a powerful opportunity for personal growth.

As a Drama teacher, I’ve also dealt with people not seeing the value of arts education. Despite progress, Drama classes are sometimes seen as just for fun. And they are! There is a lot to consider when creating a lesson, or developing the curriculum. It takes courage for our students to do what we ask of them. That’s not always something that can be taught.

During my grad school sabbatical, I learned to separate my roles as a teacher and an artist, understanding it’s okay not to have all the answers. These experiences have transformed me personally and artistically, shaping my ongoing journey of growth and creativity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My “perfect day” in Denver would be:

1.) Wake up, sunrise at Red Rocks.
2.) Go get a coffee from either Blue Sparrow, Jubilee Roasting Co. or Stellas Coffee Haus.
3.) Take a walk to Commons Park. (I don’t know, I just love it so much).
4.) Check out Denver Art Museum. LOVE the “Biophilia” exhibit.
5.) Go shopping at Garage Sale, Common Collective, or Strawberry Mountain.
6.) Go for lunch/dinner at Curtis Park Deli (I love sandwiches), Las Delicias, or Redeemer Pizza.
7.) Sip on an espresso martini at Welton Room.
8.) Either catch a show at Su Teatro, Curious Theatre, or DCPA (if you want to stay in the “city”) or go check out live music at Ophelia’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Northglenn Youth Theatre (NYT) for providing me with such an enriching experience while directing “Shrek the Musical Jr.” I am forever grateful for their support in bringing my vision to life. Special thanks to:

Arden Phanes, Daniel Mori, Judah Franco, Kristan Stephens, Laurel Ladzinski, Lauren Russell, Mikaela Schindler, MJ Hemshoot, Wren Tran Ryder, Alton Peacey, Veronica Legler, Kimberely Jonejan, Patrick Berger, and Michael Stricker.

Their dedication and collaboration made the experience truly memorable.

Website: https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-lauren-garcia/

Instagram: laurenleegarcia