Meet Lauren Otis, they are joining us for our next production of Bloodbath: Victoria’s Secret written and directed by Jamieson Ridenhour!
This production is about "Tori Piper," Victoria Leigh, who was once the darling of mid-to-late eighties low-budget horror—she was the go-to final girl of a dozen or so B-level slashers. Then she filmed the cult classic Sorority Bloodbath, a cinema verité horror film plagued by rumors of sinister occurrences on-set. Then she vanished, fueling a subset of fan conspiracy theories.
In 1999, Victoria Leigh is planning a quiet New Year’s Eve dinner with her girlfriend, but things aren’t working out. People keep showing up at the apartment, and some of them may have sinister intentions. Deadly intentions. Add in a crazed young wanna-be agent and Tori’s former lover / co-star who has hidden motivations of her own, and the pressure and terror mounts quickly for the former scream queen.
But as the night lengthens and the body count grows, more questions arise. Who is really the hunter and who the prey? And what really happened on the set of Sorority Bloodbath all those years ago? To what lengths will a final girl go to survive?
We reached out to Lauren to tell us a bit about themselves and about what their experience has been like working on this production!
1. What's your favorite horror movie / book / podcast?
Movie: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (ORIGINAL)
Book: Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Podcast: Scare You to Sleep
2. Do you relate to your character? How similar / different are you?
Yes, I can relate to Tori for sure. Looking my best on the regular is important to me, and I have a strict exercise/skincare/health routine I follow on a daily basis. The pressure of maintaining a certain "look" as an actor is something I definitely understand.
3. What's your favorite line in your show? Why?
“No, I'm a poster model.” It's one of the first introductions to Tori's sharp wit and sarcasm, which is maintained throughout the play.
4. What are some of your favorite hobbies / activities that keep you feeling youthful?
Dancing, playing video games, SKIN CARE, and playing with my furry children.
5. What are the top 5 songs on your playlist at the moment?
King of the World by First Aid Kit
Sissy That Walk by Rupaul
Changing of the Seasons by Two Door Cinema Club
Save Your Tears by The Weeknd
Pain by The War on Drugs
6. What's your favorite kind of pizza?
PEPPERONI. Always and forever.
7. How did you get into theatre?
I started dance classes at age 3, and was in my first school play in 3rd grade. I've been hooked ever since.
8. How is working with The Magnetic different from working with other theatres?
They give new work a chance to be workshopped, explored, and performed. And it definitely feels like an artistic community where everyone is supported.
9. What were you doing on NYE 1999?
Watching fireworks with my sister at High Falls in Rochester, NY.
10. Do you have any upcoming projects that we should check out?
Not at the moment; stay tuned! :)
Biography
Lauren is honored to be back onstage at Magnetic! Lauren holds a BFA in Acting from Arcadia University, and has lived in Asheville for the past 9 years. Favorite past credits include Paula Justice in The Sparrow and The Whippoorwill, Alyx in something i cared about, Virgilia/Ensemble in Coriolanus 2020, Perdita in 16 Years Tried, and Lady Percy/Poins in Henry IV Part 1. Thanks to the cast, crew, Jamie, the Magnetic team, and her loving circle of family, friends, coworkers, and fur babes for their unending support.
Bloodbath: Victoria’s Secret is showing at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville, NC October 15 - 30, 2021. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=125125