Lara Filip is a playwright, singer, songwriter, actor, director and producer, who approaches every project with that multi-faceted experience, a steadfast commitment to collaboration... and as they say in the music biz... the promise of "a good hang".
Born in the outskirts of Chicago, Lara grew up in studios and piano bars, while her parents recorded commercial jingles and entertained the regulars. So, she knows a little something about catchy, engaging storytelling and songwriting.
Once she discovered musical theatre, during her time at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Lara's personal path became clear. She joined National tours of The Wizard of Oz, as Dorothy, and Evita, as Peron's Mistress, within two years of High School graduation.
Settling back down in the Chicago area, she became a familiar face at every regional theatre in leading and featured roles, working her way up to her current status as one of the "Chicago Divas".
Following in her family's footsteps as a singer/songwriter, she also released an album of her original folk/pop music, Stop Time, in 2016.
In the midst of her performance career, Lara discovered a deep passion for writing and developing new works. She became known for a diverse range of narratives, with family musicals produced at dinner theatres, and adaptations like Sophocles, Electra produced at Chicago storefront theatres.
She participated as a performer and director in multiple new works festivals at the sadly gone Theatre Building Chicago, and directed productions like Striking-12, a perfect blend of her love of theatre, music and storytelling.
Over the years, she also developed her skills as a producer through the famed Morton Arboretum (founded by Joy Morton, of Morton Salt fame). To date, she has written, directed and produced over 30 shows across more than two decades for their Walking Plays program. In 2022, she was commissioned by the Board of Directors to create a biographical play about Joy Morton for their Centennial celebration.
Lara eventually formed her own company, Inkwell Productions, which continues to mentor emerging artists and bring Walking Plays to sold-out crowds each year.
Still performing in productions such as the Midwest premiere of Come From Away at Paramount Theatre, and tribute shows with Artist's Lounge Live, Lara has placed a strong focus on her work as a playwright, composer and lyricist. Her TV holiday movie parody musical, Love of a Lifetime, is currently in development, with a star-studded concept album slated for release in 2027.
As a playwright, composer and lyricist, Lara is represented by:
Rose Quealy, Michael Moore Agency
Email: rose@michaelmooreagency.com
Office: (212) 221-0400
Web: www.michaelmooreagency.com
As a performer, she has gone rogue and represents herself.
