Lauren McKinnon (she/her) has worked Australia-wide as a director, performer, creative collaborator and acting coach. She is passionate about authentic storytelling, reimagining classic works, developing new Australian musicals and championing emerging artists.

Most recently, Lauren conceptualised and directed a brand new vision of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World for Soundworks Productions to critical acclaim and unanimous standing ovations at the iconic Melbourne venue, Chapel Off Chapel.

In 2021, Lauren toured with Courtney Act’s one woman show, FLUID as Associate Director (dir. Cameron Menzies). 2019 saw Lauren tour with Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic (TEG Live) as Resident Director (dir. Kristin McCarthy Parker). Other directing credits include; Judy – Australia – 1964 (Skunkworks Productions), Jack Frost The Musical (Jamm’d Productions), DreamSong the Musical (EbbFlow Theatre), MAD WORLD: The Immersive Theatrical Experience (David Butler Studio), Songs for a New World (Brisbane Academy of Music Theatre), the world premiere of Aeneas: The Musical (Melbourne’s Recital Centre) and The Youngharts Network Creative Convention Showcases all around Australia featuring theatre royalty; Rhonda Burchmore, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino and Christine Anu. Assistant Director credits include West Side Story (dir. Martin Croft, VCA) and Third World Blues (dir. Margot Fenley, Company 11).

She has worked as an acting coach for Coach Me Lauren, Soundworks Music Studio, Transit Dance, Theatre Blacks, Laneway Dance and Wonthaggi Theatre Guild. Lauren is a graduate of the Victorian College of Arts as part of their inaugural Bachelor of Music Theatre course (2011).