Meet Laura Cole: Actor, choreographer, teacher, coach and arts administrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Artists, especially actors, get asked that a lot. The standard answer, and it is totally true for me, is that there isn’t anything else I can or want to do. Since I graduated college with an classical acting degree I have been lucky to expand what that answer means. I have done extra training in arts and education, actor coaching, voice discipline, and administrative skills. I hope the work I have done at the Atlanta Shakespeare Company over the last 25 years helps other actors/artists to expand their understanding of “the only thing I want/can do.” There is so much performing artists have to offer that isn’t only their onstage work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a professional actor, director, teaching artist and the Director of Education and Training at the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. My art is all about making Shakespeare as accessible in performance for adult audiences and students, alike, by teaching and training young professional actors. I have been doing this work for 20 years or so, and have been a professional actor in Atlanta for around 35 total. Getting where I am now was a deliberate choice sometimes, and serendipity the rest of the time. I think that the hard work is more important than anything and my advice to new professional actors is “Don’t Give Up.” Give your career time, branch out if you want to, use your entire person/skills/drive to create a varied and satisfying career. My personal brand is energy and always moving- sometimes that is exhausting so I do give myself a pass sometimes, but not when I was younger- there was so much to do, to find out and to accomplish. I would advise young women especially to work hard and be creative, and don’t forget to breathe. Then get right back in the swing of things and be engaged in what you believe in, and what you are passionate about.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
wow! I always recommend the Atlanta Shakespeare Company at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse- duh! it is a great place to eat drink and watch some terrific Shakespeare. I also let them know they are going to be in on the joke, in the thick of the drama and all caught up by the end of the play. I also love Atlantic Station for shopping, The Krog Street Market for food and unique gifts, Perimeter Mall for the widest variety of stores and Ponce City Market for the coolest food, fashion and people watching. I definitely recommend parking at Ponce City Market and walking the Beltline to Krog St. Market. Make sure you visit the little shotgun shack across the parking lot at the Market- it’s called the Collective and they have the most amazing local artists showing their wares, and air plants and succulent plants that you will love. The Beltline and the Silver Comet Trail are terrific for biking, for sightseeing and a great workout. Midtown has some great street life as does downtown Decatur. Wow, I could go on and on- Atlanta and the greater metro area has it ALL.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am shouting out to my arts education comrades and friends, mentors and teachers, who have been a real resource as so many arts and education programs transitioned to virtual last spring. The idea sharing, support and great advice we shared has been incredibly valuable to me and my team.

Website: www.shakespearetavern.com

Image Credits
I don’t have access to tavern photos right now- we are still closed and it is hard to get to them. the one I added is of the Academy space, outdoors, right before we shut down last year. I cannot wait to get back! both images are Laura Cole