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• Laura Hooper Owner, Co-Founder

  Laura’s fascination with human behavior, both on and off stage, is the inspiration for her work with Black Box. In 2004, Laura had the privilege of studying with Amy Morton at the School at Steppenwolf and her love affair with the Meisner Technique began. Her passion as a student led naturally to teaching, and she taught Meisner at both the School at Steppenwolf and Columbia College prior to opening Black Box.  Laura is an actor and director, and has worked with Steppenwolf, American Theater Company and The Alley Theatre, to name a few. You can also see her work in television and film, including Miss Congeniality and Varsity Blues.  She is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, and The University of Texas at Austin, with a B.A. in Theatre.

  • "Laura's commitment to the imaginary life we create is stupendous."

    K. Todd Freeman
    Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble
    Tony Award Nominee, The Song of Jacob Zulu

  • "Passionate. Inspiring. Moving."

    Anna Hagopian
    Black Box Student
    Actor

  • "Her clarity and honesty is inspiring."

    Sam Buti
    Black Box Student
    Actor

  • "I admire her perception and empathy; she knows exactly how far to push her students."

    David Prouty
    Black Box Student
    Actor