In addition to writing and directing for the stage, Laurel spent some years acting in community theater. While living in North Carolina, in 2007, she helped found the Cary Playwright's Forum, now a non-profit organization. The mission of the Cary Playwrights' Forum is to help playwrights and aspiring playwrights of Cary and surrounding areas in North Carolina to develop as dramatic writers through educational workshops; regular feedback sessions with other playwrights, actors, and directors; and the opportunity to collaborate with allied artists in staged readings or productions of their original work. Laurel created and led the first year's worth of educational workshops, worked with upcoming playwrights and coached actors, and also trained directors.
Here's a sample of some of her stage plays.
PLAYS:
UNTITLED DRAMA (in the works) set in Asia during WWII.
ICEBREAKER: a romantic screwball comedy set aboard a small cruise ship.
HOT CONSOMMÉ: It's 2045 and the Imperium threatens to cancel Chef
Alan's reality-based gourmet cooking show (and his home) unless ratings
improve. Chef Alan just wants to cook real food. The Imperium has
other ideas.
LEVELS: Written for Theater of Hope for Abused Women about different levels of domestic violence and the road to healing. Produced in NoHo arts district, North Hollywood. Excellent for performances in women's shelters and available to domestic violence or other women's non-profit support groups. (available to non-profit groups, minimal charge for postage)
DEVIL INSIDE: a one-act play about schizophrenia, a finalist in the national NETC play writing competition.