About Laura

• Black Box Acting was founded by best friends Laura Hooper and Audrey Francis, on a back porch in Logan Square, Chicago. Their mission was to build a training center for actors to practice working hard and being fearless. What started as just 12 students in two classes has expanded to serve more than 2500 students across three programs. Laura Hooper Doughty is the Founder and Executive Director at Black Box Acting. She is dedicated to developing talent both on the team and in the community by upholding the company’s intensive training program and promoting compassionate leadership. Laura also serves as Black Box’s Creative Director. She developed the brand and product, and now maintains the artistic vision across all platforms; marketing and experiential design, staged performances and events, and the sacred classroom experience. She has been an actor and director for 25 years, directing and performing at theatres all over the country, including The Goodman Theatre, American Theatre Company, and The Alley Theatre. She has been an acting instructor for 12 years and has taught at the University of Chicago, School at Steppenwolf, Columbia College, and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin, in Theatre and Dance.

  Private Coaching
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