Lauren

by | Jul 10, 2020

Lauren Reed

Lauren Reed

Photo credit: Benjamin Wardell

 Lauren Reed grew up in Milwaukee, WI where she trained at Young Dance Academy, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and Milwaukee Ballet. She graduated Cum Laude with honors from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Religion. Upon moving to Chicago, Lauren participated in Lou Conte’s scholarship program. Lauren has trained in programs including Luna Negra Dance Theater, SpringboardX, and Springboard Danse Montréal.

 

Lauren has danced professionally with Project606 Dance, Aerial Dance Chicago, Ensemble180, and is currently dancing with Still Inspired and Ishti Collective. Performance credits include Jessica Miller Tomlinson Choreography, Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, Jin Wen Yu, and Todd Rhoades. Lauren has a passion for exploring social dance communities and is an avid Lindy Hopper. She teaches with Traffic Jam!Swing and is a member of the Windy City Lindy Hoppers, touring and competing at national dance exchanges.

She has choreographed new works for Momenta Dance Company, Project606 Dance, Aerial Dance Chicago, and independent productions. She created a new piece for the dance department of Knox College as part of a week-long residency in Spring 2023.

Lauren has taught various styles in dance studios, schools, and after school programs. In 2020, Lauren completed the teacher certification for IMAGE TECH for Dancers™ (101 level), a weightbearing somatic practice created by Alexandra Wells. In 2023 she completed the inaugural Spiral Body Techniques™ teacher certification with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak. She regularly teaches company class for Trifecta Dance Collective. She is an enthusiastic educator who values imagination, presence, and play; she believes that dance is a thrilling way for children and adults alike to become more fully human. 

Lauren is a professional grant writer and arts administrator. For 3 years, she held various marketing and event coordination roles on the Springboard Danse Montréal team. She founded and has been running a socially-focused youth development program called Teen Leaders Club since 2013.