8 YEARS AT NIDA
Tutor, Course Manager & Head of Corporate Training
15+ YEARS
Across performance, presenting and communication
ACTOR TRAINED
Bachelor of Theatre Arts, majoring in Acting
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
From live stages and corporate rooms to on-camera communication
For more than 15 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of performance, communication and confidence — as an actor, presenter, facilitator and communication coach.
I originally trained as an actor, where I learned something that has shaped almost everything I do today: confidence doesn’t always have to come first. Sometimes you practise the behaviours, and the confidence catches up.
After university, I spent five years creating and presenting live wildlife shows for Australia Zoo. Standing in front of audiences every day gave me plenty of opportunities to put those skills to the test — and made me realise that the tools I’d learned to confidently step into a character were just as useful when I needed to confidently show up as myself.
I later spent eight years at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), working as a tutor and course manager before leading Corporate Training. There, I worked with professionals across industries including finance, technology, media and advertising, translating acting and performance techniques into practical tools for everyday business communication — from presentations and leadership conversations to on-camera delivery.
Meet The Founder - Lauren
And across all those different rooms, stages and screens, I kept seeing the same thing:
People don’t need more information. They need somewhere to practise.
You can know that you should slow down, breathe, make eye contact, stop fidgeting or “be more confident”. But knowing what to do and being able to do it when your heart is racing and everyone is looking at you are two very different things.
That’s why my coaching is highly practical.
I combine acting, performance and communication training to create what I like to think of as a rehearsal room for real life — a space where you feel safe enough to experiment, supported enough to get uncomfortable, and challenged enough to make meaningful change.
We work with your voice, body language, intention and presence. We try things. We notice what changes. We get curious rather than critical. And we practise different ways of showing up until they start to feel less like something you’re trying to do and more like something you can naturally access when you need it.
Because this isn’t about teaching you to perform or become someone else.
It’s about giving you more ways to be you.
Clients are often surprised by how quickly they notice a difference — not because they’ve collected another set of speaking tips, but because they’ve actually experienced a different way of communicating.
And once you’ve experienced it, you have something to come back to.
More to the story…
Ironically, I found my confidence by learning how to be someone else.
When I was younger, I was shy, self-conscious and, if I'm being truthful, far more comfortable with the idea of being someone else than simply being me.
So I became an actor.
And somewhere amongst all that training to inhabit different characters, I discovered something I wasn't expecting: acting wasn't really teaching me how to pretend. It was teaching me how to use my voice, my body and my imagination with intention.
I learnt that I didn't have to feel confident before I could speak confidently. I could practise it. Rehearse it. Try something different and notice what changed.
And eventually, something that started as technique began to feel like me.
That discovery followed me everywhere.
When I left university and found myself presenting wildlife shows at Australia Zoo, I started sharing those same techniques with keepers who were brilliant at what they did but didn't always feel brilliant standing in front of a crowd. Later, at NIDA, I spent eight years helping translate performance techniques for people in business. And today, it's at the heart of The Confident Speaker.
I don't believe confidence is about becoming someone else. I believe it's about having enough skill, awareness and trust in yourself that more of you gets to come through.
That's what I want for the people I work with.
Beyond the rehearsal room
I'm a lifelong learner and relentlessly curious about people — how we move, communicate, connect and become more ourselves.
I'm also very much a practical girl with just the right amount of woo.
I like evidence. I like technique. I like something I can practise, test and feel working. But I also believe in intuition, energy, imagination, serendipity and leaving a little room for magic.
That combination probably explains a lot about me.
I'm a trained actor who became a communication coach. I'm also a Pilates instructor, because apparently one profession involving breath, bodies and alignment wasn't enough.
I'm happiest near the beach or out in nature. I love beautiful food, very good wine and conversations that go somewhere interesting.
I'm ambitious about my work, but the things I value most are pretty human: curiosity, connection, courage, kindness, play and growth.
I don't ever want to stop learning. I don't expect anyone I work with to arrive as a finished product either.
There is always something else to notice. Something to practise. Something to try.
And sometimes, just a little bit of magic happens in the trying.
What Makes This Different?
Practical
Every exercise translates into real conversations, presentations and leadership moments.
Playful
Acting techniques make learning engaging, memorable and surprisingly enjoyable.
Honest Feedback
Receive experienced coaching that helps you improve without damaging your confidence.
Practice-Based
Confidence grows through doing, not thinking.
Human
You'll leave feeling more connected to yourself and to the people you're speaking with.
The Problem
You've probably already tried the advice.
You've been told to slow down.
Make eye contact.
Take a deep breath.
Picture the audience naked.
Those techniques can help in the moment—but they rarely change how you feel.
Because confidence isn't built by collecting more tips.
It's built through practice.
The Solution
Confidence is something you experience—not something you're told.
If you've tried the quick tips and still don't feel confident, you're not alone.
This approach uses acting and performance training to help you practise communication in a completely different way.
In a safe, supportive environment, you'll experiment, play, rehearse and discover versions of yourself that may have always been there—but never had the opportunity to emerge.
It's not about pretending to be someone else.
It's about rehearsing the real you until confidence feels natural in your body.
The more you experience that version of yourself, the easier it becomes to access it when it matters most.
“Working with Lauren was an absolute game changer. I reached out before filming some advertisements, and in such a short time, she completely transformed my approach and confidence. I didn’t get into business to be in front of a camera, but with Lauren’s expertise, I felt comfortable, capable, and even enjoyed the process. Her ability to draw out authenticity while refining delivery is incredible.”
Cameron Johnston - Coco Finance“After Lauren's workshop with our Sales and Account Management team, I've been receiving feedback since the first few hours post session till even this week. The team loved both her relaxed and welcoming delivery as well as the actionable takeaways for their work. It was a fantastic way to kick off the conference.”
Alistair Edmonds - Edstart“The presentation skills workshops for our volunteers were also fantastic—practical, supportive, and engaging. Lauren has a natural ability to build rapport and make everyone feel comfortable while guiding them to real, tangible improvements. The training video we created is now a lasting resource we’re proud to share with volunteers.”
Katherine Owens - National Trust
“Lauren’s coaching was a great balance of practical techniques and supportive guidance. Whether we were working online or in person, Lauren helped me sharpen my speaking skills, find clarity in how I express myself, and build real confidence in front of the camera. She has a way of making you feel completely at ease while also challenging you to step up and own your voice.”
Rio Harrington - Cosmic Dino Studio