 |
Flourish Online Magazine | Winter 2007 |
Student Spotlight: Lauren Tatum
Actress, Dancer, Choreographer, Singer and Dancer (Whew!)
By Julie Senger
 |
There isn’t much in the way of performing arts that senior Lauren Tatum can’t do. As she prepares to graduate and launch her performance career, she is armed with the many acting, dancing, singing, storytelling and choreography credits she has accumulated while a student at Kennesaw State.
It’s a wonder that she is able to fit everything into her schedule. Tatum says that she “tries to focus on one or two projects per semester.” For example, she may choose to focus on dance and storytelling one semester and acting and choreography the next. This way she doesn’t overextend herself and can remain really devoted to the project at hand. In Fall 2007, her primary focus was on choreographing a piece to take to competition in March 2008 at the American College Dance Festival.
There are many other impressive credits on Tatum’s résumé. One of her theatre highlights is performing in “The Monkey King‚” a KSU production that was presented in China in 2005. As a member of the KSU Dance Company‚ she has performed at the American College Dance Festival; and as a choreographer‚ she has choreographed for the KSU production of “As You Like It‚” which received commendations from the American College Theater Festival.
 |
More recently, Tatum choreographed pieces for KSU’s production of “42 Feet Off the Ground” and a storytelling production of “Beowulf,” which was performed at the Fringe Storytelling Festival in Scotland. She has also received scholarships to New York’s Broadway Dance Center, Los Angeles’ Edge Dance Studio and was recognized as KSU’s Outstanding Theatre & Performance Studies Student last year.
Tatum’s outlook suits that of an artist. “I am a gray person,” she says. “I don’t believe anything is black or white.” Tatum thinks that many different points-of-view can be derived from an artistic performance. She also believes that “constant questioning leads people to a better understanding of themselves and one another.”
Tatum likes to use performing arts as a medium to facilitate important conversations. This is why she enjoys projects that allow her to “put issues on a stage in an abstract way, and let people think critically about them.” Tatum is also passionate about making sure that the arts are accessible to people all over the world and “not just a select few.” With her broad range of performing arts abilities, Tatum has many different approaches she can take to reach potential audiences everywhere.