About Lauren
Lauren M. Lowell is the Head of the Design/Production faculty for the School of Theatre and Dance which is part of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University. She teaches various topics Costume Design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Born and raised in southeastern Michigan, Lauren received her BA from Central Michigan University. She majored in Theatre and Interpretive Arts, but also completed double minors in Broadcast/Cinematic Arts and Music (Piano Performance). Following undergrad, Lauren studied at University of Georgia where she received an MFA in Design (Costumes). Concurrent to her undergraduate and graduate studies, Lauren spent 5 years at The Highlands Playhouse in the mountains of North Carolina where she served in various capacities including 3 years as the Costume Shop Manager and Resident Designer. Recipient of the 2008 ISU College of Fine Arts Outstanding Teacher Award, Lauren also received the W. Joseph Stell Design Expo Award in 2001, and the USITT-SE Design Award in 2000. She remains an active member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.
Design credits include WAR (Seanachai Theatre Co., Chicago); EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD and UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL (Noble Fool Theatricals, Chicago); STALK (LaCosta/New Rock Theatre, Chicago); MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (2018), PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (2016), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2014), ELIZABETH REX (2014), FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (2013), 3 WILLS & A SHAKESPEARE (2012), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (2009), COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (2008), JULIUS CAESAR (2007), TWELFTH NIGHT (2005) and AS YOU LIKE IT (2003) (Illinois Shakespeare Festival); SHAME THE DEVIL! AN AUDIENCE WITH FANNY KEMBLE (Fanny Kemble Tours); BEFORE THE FIRE (University of Georgia, Shorter College, and the New York Fringe Festival); ALICE IN WONDERLAND, CABARET, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, J.B., INTO THE WOODS, LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES, The Who's TOMMY, AMADEUS, and THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE (Illinois State University); MEASURE FOR MEASURE and THE LIVING NEWSPAPER: 1935 (University of Georgia).
Featured in Vigore Central Illinois magazine for her ...loved again... line of children's clothing and lovies, Lauren Lowell has also penned two articles and a book review published in Costume Research Journal, and an article published in Sightlines. She has also presented papers at the 5th Annual International Hawaiian Conference on the Arts & Humanities in Waikiki and the New Dialogues in Costume Conference at The Wallace Collection in London. Lauren has twice led a three week graduate level course entitled Eastern European Theatre: Design Perspectives in Prague, Czech Republic and taught an Introduction to Western Costume History course at Srinakharinwriot University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren resides in Bloomington, IL with her two children and life partner.