Meet Lauren Davis

We were thrilled to welcome Lauren Davis to our team in April, and she has already become an invaluable part of Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic. From her warm presence at the front of house to her precise work backstage setting and striking props, Lauren’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence help ensure that every performance runs smoothly. Her fresh perspective and dedication have quickly made her an essential part of our production, and we are grateful to have her on board.

A Little Bit about Lauren

From the quiet hills of the Catskill Mountains to the bustling creative hubs of Paris, Boston, and New York, Lauren Davis has carved an inspiring artistic journey that bridges fine art, film, and theatre. At just 21 years old, she has already built a portfolio that spans continents, mediums, and disciplines.

Rooted in Art from the Beginning

Lauren grew up on a dairy farm in Treadwell, New York, alongside four siblings. Surrounded by the rhythms of rural life, she developed a natural eye for detail and an appreciation for community—qualities that continue to inform her art today.

Self-taught in portraiture, graphite drawing, and oil painting, she first explored storytelling visually through fine art. As a child, she even shot short films on her Nintendo DS with her siblings—planting the seeds for what would become her lifelong passion for filmmaking.

Global Education, Local Inspiration

In 2024, Lauren graduated from the Dual Degree Global BFA in Film Art program, earning degrees from both Emerson College in Boston and the Paris College of Art in France.

Her academic path was anything but ordinary. Over three years in Paris, three summers in Boston, and a summer in the Netherlands, she immersed herself in a small but diverse cohort of international artists. This fast-paced program compressed 14 semesters into just 3.5 years, exposing her to global perspectives while sharpening her technical and creative voice.

A Multidisciplinary Practice

Lauren is a true multidisciplinary artist. Her practice bridges:

• Film & Cinematography – both digital and celluloid.

• Theatre Arts – from scenic carpentry to stagecraft.

• Fine Art – portraiture, graphite, oil painting, and 2D animation.

• Photography & Storytelling – capturing emotion and narrative through imagery.

Her work consistently explores themes of human connection, spirituality, and Appalachian folklore, blending her rural roots with her international experiences.

Behind the Scenes of Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic

Lauren isn’t only an accomplished artist—she’s also a vital part of our live production. In Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic, her precision, professionalism, and eye for detail help the show run seamlessly every night.

She manages front-of-house responsibilities, greeting guests, handling ticketing, and resolving any issues with warmth and efficiency. Once the curtain rises, she shifts backstage, assisting with setting and striking props throughout the performance to keep the illusions flowing without a hitch.

What makes Lauren especially invaluable is her attention to detail. She takes careful notes during shows, identifying ways to improve timing, staging, and technical flow—helping us elevate the production for every audience. Her contributions ensure that both the magic onstage and the experience offstage remain world-class.

Current Work

Beyond her work on Straight Up Magic, Lauren is a Scenic Carpenter and Stage Technician at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport, New York. She continues to seek out freelance opportunities in film, theatre, and fine art commissions.

Looking Ahead

At 21, Lauren Davis already embodies the spirit of a seasoned artist: resilient, inventive, and multidisciplinary. With her unique blend of fine art roots, global education, and hands-on stage and production experience, she is poised to leave her mark on both the local and international arts landscape.

Q&A With Lauren

Q: Were you scared to leave a small town?

A: I was nervous, but I also knew it was time to experience life elsewhere. I think it’s so important for young people and artists to see as much as possible, and to observe how others, who may not look, sound, or think like them, approach the world. Leaving also helped me see my hometown in a new light, and develop a pride in my roots and deeper gratitude for the work ethic my farm-kid upbringing gave me.

Q: Who or what inspires you and your art?

A: People, life, and culture. Traveling for school gave me the privilege of experiencing so many different ways of living. Those experiences, combined with my rural upbringing, fuelled my passion for observation and seeing the small, mundane details of life. 

Working across different disciplines, I also find my art having a conversion with itself. Something I learn during the process of painting in oil often finds its way into a script I’m writing, and a lesson I take from film can influence how I approach my work in theatre.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working a magic show?

A: The audience. I adore the unexpected interactions I get to have and meeting people from all over. It feels like such an honor to play a role in giving a stranger a night of wonder and joy. Hearing kids excitedly talk about the show afterwards, or watching adults rediscover that childlike sense of amazement, is incredibly rewarding and never gets old. 

Q: What interested you about working a magic show?

A: I was drawn to the energy of live performance. I typically work behind the scenes prepping projects, so getting to be in the moment was new and exciting. Magic creates a space where people can forget their worries and believe in the impossible, and I wanted to help bring that to life.

Q: What’s your favorite magic trick/illusion that Jason and Kim do?

A: Cards—it’s the perfectly captivating finale. It is visually stunning and full of intrigue. I love how something that seems so simple at first reveals such complexity; it keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Q: How do you think you have grown since graduating college?

A: That’s always hard to reflect on, but I think my confidence and self-discipline have grown the most. I still wrestle with my confidence in and my relationship with my art, but I’m better at trusting myself, putting my work out there, and breaking big goals into manageable steps.

Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to be in the arts?

A: Stay hungry. You have to create opportunities for yourself: put yourself out there, send the cold emails, take calculated risks, be willing to fail and learn, and always go the extra mile for the people you work with. 

If you want to read more about being a magic assistant check out this blog post.