MEET LAUREN STROUD
From West End performer, to founder of Stroud Theatre Arts & Stroud Talent.
For Lauren Stroud, performing arts has never simply been about learning the steps, rehearsing for a show or standing in the spotlight. It has been her career, her training and, ultimately, something she wanted to pass on to the next generation.
Lauren trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts, before building a career as a professional performer across the West End and UK touring theatre. Her stage credits include Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, alongside UK tours of Hairspray, 9 to 5, Grease, High School Musical 2 and Dance ’Til Dawn.
But performing was only one part of Lauren’s story.
FROM THE STAGE TO THE CREATIVE TEAM
As Lauren’s career developed, so did her work behind the scenes.
She has gone on to work extensively as a Choreographer, Associate Choreographer and Resident Choreographer, bringing the experience gained during her years as a performer into the rehearsal room and creative process.
Her credits include Resident Choreographer for The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium and Associate Choreographer for its subsequent run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and UK Tour. She was also Associate Choreographer for the UK Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Robin Hood at the London Palladium.
Lauren’s choreography credits include Fame for National Youth Music Theatre at Birmingham Hippodrome, The Mad Ones at The Other Palace Studio, The Wedding Singer and Little Women at Laine Theatre Arts, and Aladdin at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, for which she was nominated for Best Choreographer at the 2025 Panto Awards. She was also Co-Choreographer of Layton & Nikita Live! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Her creative work has extended beyond traditional theatre too, including Associate Choreographer on the BBC's Bad Education Christmas Special and work with Princess Cruises, the Royal Academy of Music and Southwark Playhouse.
WHY STROUD THEATRE ARTS
In 2018, Lauren founded Stroud Theatre Arts, having previously begun running West End workshops for young performers.
It gave her the opportunity to bring together two things she cared deeply about: professional performing arts training and helping young people develop.
Lauren wanted to create a school where students could benefit from teachers who genuinely understood the professional industry, while still experiencing the warmth, friendships, confidence and sense of belonging that performing arts training can bring.
Today, she continues to produce, direct and choreograph performances for Stroud Theatre Arts while maintaining her own professional creative career.
That connection to the working industry is an important part of what Lauren brings to STA.
She understands what happens beyond the classroom: auditions, casting, rehearsals, recasts, professional expectations, working within a company and maintaining performance standards. Her professional CV specifically includes leading auditions and casting, rehearsing new company members and supporting performers across major West End and touring productions.
And it is experience she can bring directly back into the training and opportunities offered to STA students.
DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION
For Lauren, success doesn't have just one definition.
Some students arrive at STA because they simply love to sing, dance and act. Some want to build their confidence or find their people. Others have ambitions to perform professionally.
There is room for all of them.
For those who do want to pursue professional opportunities, Lauren's experience gives her a valuable understanding of the standards and preparation the industry requires. Alongside Stroud Theatre Arts, she also founded Stroud Talent, a Spotlight-accredited children's talent agency, and has supported young performers working professionally across theatre, television and film.
That creates a natural progression for young performers who want to take things further, while ensuring professional ambition never becomes a requirement for belonging at STA.
STILL WORKING | STILL LEARNING | STILL BRINGING IT BACK TO STA
Alongside running Stroud Theatre Arts, Lauren continues to work professionally as a choreographer and creative. Her recent work includes productions at venues such as the London Palladium, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and The Other Palace.
That means the knowledge and experience she brings to her students isn't frozen in time. It continues to develop through her own work within the industry.
And perhaps that's the thread that runs through Lauren's whole story: professional experience, passed on.
From performing on some of the UK's biggest stages to standing in a rehearsal room with the next generation of young performers, Lauren brings the same belief in preparation, opportunity and helping people fulfil their potential.
