BIO
Lori has been a proud member of SAG since 1971 now (SAG-AFTRA) and AEA since 1985. Her experience and background spans as an Actress, Singer, Dancer, Choreographer & Teacher.
A Native of Hollywood California, showing a natural gift for movement and interest in music, Lori began dancing lessons at the ripe age of 4, and first performed onstage at the Pilgrimage Theater in Hollywood at the age of 7. Because her parents had a lot of friends “In the Business”, Lori began doing a lot of background work in film & TV by the age of 8. Being bitten by the acting bug, but very shy, Lori’s mother encouraged her at the age of 14 to audition for a teen acting class at the renowned Estelle Harmon Actors Studio, where she studied for 2 yrs. She also began classical singing lessons under the tutelage of Eileen Farrell.
Her first professional acting job was at the age of 16 in an independent film, playing the cousin of Sean and Chris Penn. By the age of 17, she had been granted a private dance scholarship with Stanley Holden’s Ballet Academy. And also began her professional experience as a choreographer, working as an assistant to various shows in and around LA.
Lori attended USC’s prestige’s Theater Conservatory B.F.A. program, reserved for only 30 students a year, under the Artistic Directorship of John Houseman. While at USC, Lori’s diverse interests, quickly drew her to extracurricular activities, choreographing several shows and directing with the Showcase Company, formed, run and performed by students from various departments within the University. At 21 Lori had the privilege of performing in a repertory season in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival S. Favorite Roles included; (Catherine) Suddenly Last Summer, (Babe) Crimes of the Heart directed by John Blankenship, (Velma Kelly) Chicago, directed by Steve Josephson and (Sandy) Grease, directed by Andy Tennant.
By the age of 22, she went on to win a one year dance scholarship with Dupree Dance Academy. Her first professional Stage production was Anything Goes, playing one of the (Angels) opposite Cheryl Ladd and Didi Conn, with the Santa Barbara Theater Festival. She did three seasons, performing in The Boyfriend (Fay) with Gretchen Wyler; Annie Get Your Gun with Donna McKechnie and Allen Sues. In 1989, Lori was invited to be a founding member of Strike Repertory Theater in LA, a company comprised of fellow college colleagues and friends. Playing such roles as The Duchess (Revenger’s Tragedy) and Miss Lowenthal in (Attack of the Moral Fuzzies).
Lori went on to perform in the Broadway touring companies of Gower Champions 42nd St., directed by Jon Engstrom and Meet Me in St. Louis, choreographed by Donald Saddler and Mercedes Ellington, directed by Paul Blake, (understudying Debby Boone). She got her first experience working in Las Vegas when she was hired for a two year tour with Andy Williams, for his America the Beautiful Tour, Directed and Choreographed by Walter Painter. Lori went on to perform in various variety shows over the years in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Tahoe and Reno. She has played the Desert Inn, The Sand’s, Imperial Palace, MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, Harrah’s and Bally’s.
Lori was a company member and resident choreographer with Sierra Repertory Theater, for 4 seasons. Some of her favorite roles were; (Maria) Lend Me a Tenor ;( Adelaide) Guys and Dolls ;(Adrianna) Comedy of Errors and (Stella) A Streetcar Named Desire, to name a few. Deeply desiring the “New York” experience and training, Lori moved to New York, auditioned for and was accepted by Terry Schreiber in his professional acting class and studied under him for 3 years, which Lori considers her Masters education.
Lori’s New York credits include; New York Premiers of Escape from Happiness (Elizabeth); Mother Wove the Morning (Carol Lynn), Serendib (Laila) and Love, Isadora (Isadora Duncan) at the Ensemble Studio Theater. Others include; Mrs. Dally has a Lover (Mrs. Dally), Pantheon Theater; The Baby Monitor (Darlene), Jewel Box Theater, The Seagull (Arkadina) Abingdon Theater, Arial Sharon Stands on the Temple Mount and Dreams of Theodore Herzl (Russian Diplomat), Epic Theater Center at the Beckett Theater. As a choreographer in NYC Lori has had the privilege of Staging & Choreographing the New York Premiers of Israel Horowitz’s Captain’s and Courage, Romulus Linney’s The Unwritten Song and Thomas Mizer and Curtis Moore’s The Bus to Buenos Aires. As a Teacher, Lori was invited to Potsdam University to teach a week acting intensive closing with a performance of the one woman show Love Isadora.
Most recent work includes: Commissioning & Producing a NEW PLAY, ANY'PERSON by Anthony D'Juan. Directing, Lungs at the Ooley ,The Clean House for Big Idea Theatre,Mothers And Sons (Katherine)STC, The Glass Menagerie (Amanda) SRT, Directing -Brilliant Traces by Cindy Lou Johnson ,"Chance on Hulu (Oakland Detective), Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike (Masha) at SRT, Good People (Jean) Capital Stage and Love, Isadora (Isadora Duncan), ( Elly Award for Best Actress) California Stage. Recent choreography projects include, Antony & Cleopatra & Cloud Nine (Big Idea Theatre) Marat Sade ( California Stage) A Doll’s House, New adaptation by Stephanie Gularte ( Capital Stage). 2023-New Board Member for Borne Dance Company.Mission- serves as an educational entity for mental health awareness. Healing through arts, as well as prevention and treatment of eating disorders. Can donate at www.givebutter.com/SacBorneDance. Lori also regularly teaches Scene Study with a focus on Viola Spolin as well as her Movement for the Actor workshop.