Matthew Blood-Smyth and Lauren Bahlman in rehearsal for Wide Eyed West’s ‘the Mublings,’ opening at The Bakery near Coors Field.

The DCPA NewsCenter regularly profiles actors performing in theatre productions throughout the state of Colorado.

MEET LAUREN BAHLMAN

Jodie in Wide Eyed West’s theMumblings, by Dan Kitrosser

• Hometown: Phoenix
• Home now: Denver
• College: BA in Theatre Arts, acting emphasis, from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley
• What have you done for us lately? I played Jessica in Hysteria for Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company
• Coming up: I will be playing Karen Weston in August:Osage County for Vintage Theatre in the fall of 2017
• What is theMumblings all about? Jodie, who happens to be straight, is married to Allen, who happens to be gay. Over the course of the 90-minute play, the audience is taken through the journey of their story: How they chose each other, and how the other characters in their lives influenced that choice. Oh, and did I mention those other characters are all played by myself and Matthew Blood-Smyth? It’s a fascinating exploration of perception, the stories we tell and how we tell them, as well as attempting to answer the basic question of the search for love and how it does or does not rule our lives.
• Most challenging aspect for you as an actor: This play is unlike any two-person play I have ever read or seen. Being able to explore the “base” characters of Jodie and Allen by also playing their exes, a professor, Jodie’s mother, and others, is such a gift from our playwright. It’s also a huge undertaking, but, as it’s being fleshed out, it’s also incredibly rewarding. I just hope I can keep all their idiosyncrasies straight.
• What do you love most about your director? Kristin Skye Hoffmann is not only a fantastic director and producer from New York, she also happens to be my best friend. We’re beyond excited to bring something new and fresh to the Denver community. Being on the producing side of things is different and challenging for me, but it’s also an incredible thing. To see an artistic dream literally coming true in front of our eyes is thrilling.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? I am pretty obsessed with podcasts, particularly those of the ‘true crime’ genre. If I weren’t an actor, I probably would attempt a career as some sort of low-budget detective.
• What’s one thing you want to get off your chest? Yes, I am also an improviser. (I make up half of the two-lady improv duo, BAUS, with Jessica Austgen). No, I will not randomly start comically riffing in your living room in front of your friends.

  Wide Eyed West’s theMumblings: Ticket information
  • Directed by Kristin Skye Hoffmann
  • Through Oct. 8
  • At The Bakery, 2132 Market St.
  • Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; plus 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Monday, Oct. 3; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2.
  • Tickets $20-25 at wideeyedproductions.com or brownpapertickets.com

Cast list:
Lauren Bahlman
Matthew Blood-Smyth

More ‘In the Spotlife’ profiles:
Meet Carley Cornelius of Colorado Springs TheatreWorks’ Constellations
Meet Megan Van De Hey of the Arvada Center’s Sister Act
Meet Emily Paton Davies of Miners Alley Playhouse’s God of Carnage
Meet Anne Oberbroeckling of Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s Ripcord