Actor & Entrepreneur: Lulu Lloyd
At RYZ we interview creative and motivated people who are actively pursuing their dreams. Today we interview Lulu Lloyd:
Bio: Lulu Lloyd is a San Diego native and graduate of La Jolla High School and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Most recently she was understudy to the leading character Jenna on the First National Tour of “Waitress.” On Broadway, Lulu was a proud member of the original company in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock.” There she served as Swing and Dance Captain, covering 10 onstage roles and training over 100 actors, nearly 70 of then being children, in their roles over the length of the run. Other National Tour credits include Sloane in the 1st National tour of “Jim Steinman’s: Bat Out of Hell the Musical” and the “School of Rock” 1st National Tour where she served as understudy to Rosalie Mullins. Some other favorite credits include the world premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “Bright Star” at The Old Globe. Off- Broadway she has performed at The York Theatre, Signature Theatre and Playwrights Horizons. Some of her regional credits include Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (LA Ovation Nomination), Judy in 9 to 5, Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes, Lizzie in Baby, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and Louise Seger in Always…Patsy Cline. (BWW Critic’s Pick) Television credits include several national commercials and a featured role in “A Crime to Remember” on the Discovery Channel. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. For a full resume and links to live media please visit www.lululloyd.com
What was your background before you became an entrepreneur?
Was there any defining moment that led you to pursue your current path?
Tell us a little about some of the projects/works that you have created?
For the last two and a half months I have been living in San Diego and developing The Broadway Clubhouse. I will offer after-school theatre, acting and dance classes to children, teens, young adults and eventually adults. I will also offer one-day Masterclasses with Broadway stars who are touring through San Diego. I looked at the Civic Center’s calendar and realized I have at least one friend in every show coming through there and they have all agreed to host a 90 minute masterclass where they teach the students music and choreography from the show they are in and offer a Q&A for the children and parents at the end of the class. Those will start April 4th with two actors from the Broadway Tour of “Frozen”. I think it’s a fun opportunity to be able to learn from the cast member and then when you go and see the show you not only know someone in it, but you know a bit of the music and choreography, too! Finally, I will offer Private Coaching for all ages and a Mentorship program for High School students interested in attending theatre arts college programs. I will work with them to prep for those auditions, research and discuss different schools, put them in touch with people I believe they should be in touch with, be available by phone or email for them when they need anything and act as a mentor for all things business related. If they are considering theatre as a major and/or profession, I would love to help them understand what it’s like: the good and the bad! I hope people will find it exciting to be trained by Broadway professionals and I can’t wait to meet the local kids in the wonderful communities of San Diego.
What projects are you working on now?
Who would you say are the people that have influenced you the most?
What are some of the challenges that you have faced and how do you face new challenges?
My biggest challenge was not having any administrative background. Suddenly I have an LLC, insurance, I’m designing a website, taking meetings with lawyers and CPA’s, obtaining licenses and a business bank account. I have already learned so much. The next challenge was finding an available space to host my classes. I spent four business days calling every dance studio, school, recreation center, church, etc…everything was BOOKED. Finally, I got a phone call on a Saturday afternoon: The Santa Clara Recreation Center (in Mission Beach) is available! I immediately went down there and booked it! Finally, my last challenge is gathering students. I need all the help I can get there in this initial stage and I am hoping that word of mouth will spread beyond that!
What work are you most proud of?
I am extremely proud of myself for making it to Broadway. It was not easy and it took me nearly 7 years of auditioning in New York to finally get my Broadway debut. I am also extremely proud of playing Jenna on the National Tour of the musical “Waitress”. That was my bucket list role. Jenna never leaves the stage, sings in the rafters, has pages and pages of detailed lines, songs, choreography. It is the most challenging role I’ve ever taken on by a mile and I felt I did well. However, having said all that, when a kid comes to me and tells me how well an audition or performance went for them after we’ve worked together I feel prouder than any performance I have ever been a part of. There is nothing better to me than a truly delighted and inspired child.
Do you have any advice for an aspiring entrepreneur?
Where can people go to learn more about your work?
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