HeyU Issue 45 - 20 April | Page 12

feature Attitude is everything Lauren Stuart is living her dream At some point in life, every person dreams a dream that seems to be just out of reach. It’s the vision in which you are doing what you love, are right where you’re meant to be and are flourishing wonderfully in your perfect, little niche. Talking to USQ alumna Lauren Stuart, you’d never know that she wasn’t precisely where she expected to be when studying and growing up. Her sense of pride, satisfaction, gratitude and passion are evident in her voice as she shares the story of her career journey and recounts the opportunities she’s seized along the way. Her childhood dream of being an actress and training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) has come true, but not in the way she ever expected. Lauren’s journey has been unique and full of unexpected opportunities and experiences, making her the bubbly and intriguing person she is today. Her adaptable, ‘give it a go’ attitude has seen her career evolve in unpredictable and inspiring ways. Keen to learn all she could about the industry that was her passion, Lauren auditioned and was accepted into USQ’s Bachelor of Theatre Arts majoring in Acting. Not only was USQ close to home, it had the reputation she wanted to have in the industry; professional, hard-working and unique. While she admits study was challenging, Lauren looks back on her time spent at university fondly. “The thing I miss most about university is the sense of family and c