Lauren McCarthy
BA in Theatre and Drama Minor in Comparative Literature, Indiana University
Area(s) of Interest: Music, TV/film, Performing arts, Theatre, Nonprofit work, Entrepreneurship, PR/Marketing
Experience: Producing a handful of movies ranging in budget from $250,000 – $26 MM. Working through the entire tenure of a film studio as one of their very first hires, and gaining an unusually broad range of experiences and insights through those years — going from independent producer, to start up employee, to executive. You didn’t ask for a third but having and keeping my son alive for two 1/2 years has been without question the hardest, most identity-shifting, most educational, must humbling, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Ideal job in 10 Years: Running a company — either a production company or pod deal OR pivoting to a different branch of non-profit / theatre / marketing / or entrepreneurship.
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern? I am looking to, first, fill in gaps in my background, training and experience and, second, expand my career possibilities across trans-media. I am open to a pivot or to starting something on my own and want to be empowered in this new path by sharpening and gaining new skills. I am also excited that, while the industry is undergoing such a fast and holistic evolution, that I will be learning about this evolution first hand from professors and professionals on the forefront of the industry.
What are you most looking forward to about the MSLCE program? Class! And the final project.
If you could have lunch with anyone person (living or dead) who would it be? Mel Brooks or Tina Fey or Martha Graham
Where are you from? Arlingon Heights, IL originally — LA now