Community Highlights: Meet Lauren Halperin of The Working Actor Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Halperin.

Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Boston, and grew up mostly in Ft. Lauderdale. I always knew I wanted to be an actor… always. I remember watching movies as a kid with actors like Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy, and seeing how much joy they brought into our house. I remember thinking, “That’s it… I want to do work that makes people feel joy like THAT. And I want to do work that makes ME feel alive like that.”

When college ended, I packed up my car and my dog and drove from Florida to Los Angeles, where I lived for over ten years and really found my footing in the business. LA was such a full chapter- I still love it in the way you love a person you grew up with, and I get excited every time work brings me back. I think that time gave me a lot of independence, perspective, and a real sense of discovery.

In 2015, a movie I was working on brought me to Atlanta. The industry here was growing fast, and I felt genuinely excited by that energy. Around that same time, I felt this strong pull to create the kind of space for actors that I wish I had in my career. That’s how The Working Actor Group came to be.

Building TWAG and connecting with our community and supporting other actors, while also continuing to enjoy the acting successes in my own career, has been really beautiful.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh man- there have definitely been seasons! As an actor, the goalpost is constantly moving. Big wins can feel small sometimes, and small wins can end up being really big. And it’s also a business where it’s easy to feel like the win isn’t enough, or that it should be more.

As cliché as it sounds, I’ve really learned to look at “the road”…the slow seasons, dry seasons, personal life moments… as a part of that journey rather than defining those as “a struggle.” It’s a mindset for me.

Becoming a mom really solidified that perspective. I remember being so worried that if I had a baby, no one would take me seriously as an actor anymore. That I would suddenly “just be a mom.” And personally adjusting to that life shift was huge. It took time to look, feel, and think like myself again, but in that process, I had also evolved, and my work – and how I show up in it- deepened in ways it hadn’t before I had kids.

All of it has shaped how I approach things now, both creatively and professionally. At the same time, TWAG survived a pandemic, industry strikes, and a lot of change, but we’ve continued to grow! That resilience feels connected to the same lessons acting has taught me over the years.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Working Actor Group?
I am so proud of what TWAG represents and the way that we have continued to evolve. Our priority has always been to create a space where actors, whether they’re new to the industry or really seasoned, feel like they have a creative home.

I think so many of us are craving connection and humanity in a different way right now, so being able to show up as a person and fellow artist first is so important. Community is everything to us. It’s about helping people build longevity and sustainability in their careers, whether through audition coaching and classes or industry connections – while genuinely celebrating other actors’ successes- that’s the heartbeat of TWAG.

One moment that really captured that spirit was our retreat last year with the incredible Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote Eat Pray Love and Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. (Yes *that* Liz Gilbert!) We hosted a weekend in the mountains focused on creativity and courage, and it took the work beyond auditions and classes into something much deeper – and really affirmed that we’ve built something meaningful here.

And we’re currently launching a nonprofit, Inspired Fox Foundation, which provides access to arts and wellness experiences for people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. It feels like such a natural extension of everything TWAG stands for, and widens our reach beyond our local actors, to a larger creative community. It’s something I’m deeply excited about as we continue to grow. So there’s definitely more to come!

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
On a personal level, balance is something I continually strive for. Showing up for my kids as a present, loving mom, and also showing up for myself creatively- and as a person! Making space for all of it, and letting each part of my life have its moment, feels really important to me.

And giving myself permission to fully enjoy whichever mode I’m in! Being in the moment without guilt or “I shoulds”, is something I’m always coming back to. And it often shows up in the little things- lunch with friends, carving out time for yoga, finding a cute new houseplant (or, let’s be honest, several houseplants). Those moments allow me to return to a feeling of being grounded and balanced again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.twagstudio.com
• Instagram: @Lauren.halperin and @workingactoratl
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2160814/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_4_in_0_q_lauren%2520halperin

Image Credits
Allie Hine