We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Di Lorenzo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Laura, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I have been very lucky in my career to be able to earn a full-time living by working as a creative artist. When I graduated from college at the New World School of The Arts in Miami with a BFA in theater performance, I moved straight to LA. In LA, I moved in with my writing partner, Mimi Davila, and together we created a web series called “The Chonga Diaries”. It was from there that another friend, Jenny Lorenzo (who’s also from Miami) was working at a latinx focused digital media company called “We Are Mitù” and she reached out to me and asked me if I was interested in working as a content producer there. The only experience I had with digital content was the web series and that was enough for me to get hired. At mitù, I learned how to produce and edit and direct professionally and so I started acting in all my videos. It was the best job I ever had and I had a salary! I felt like I was at college all over again and I loved it. I had always wanted to be a well-rounded artist not just an actress. Aside from having this job I was also able to audition and perform on stage at UCB which has opened so many doors for me to be able to continue doing what I love.
Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Laura Di Lorenzo and I’m originally from Venezuela and raised in Miami. I’ve been doing improv and sketch comedy for over 15 years and I’ve worked in multiple Latinx-based digital companies such as Mitú, Buzzfeed, and Mas Mejor as a producer/actress/writer focusing on creating original comedic content.
I started making digital content in 2007 starting with my Youtube viral video called, “Chongalicious” which I made with my creative partner, Mimi Davila.
I moved to LA in 2015 and I currently work at the Latinx-based digital company, Mitú as a creative producer, writing, directing, acting, and editing all original work from my own point of view. I’ve worked as a digital host with brands such as PGA, NFL, MLB, Toyota, and Disney.
You can watch my stand-up series “Laura’s Corner” on Youtube, as well as my web series “The Chonga Diaries ” which I created and produced with my artistic partner Mimi Davila.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when people come up to me and completely relate to the content I’ve created especially when it makes them laugh. It literally fulfills me. When I hear the applause and laughter coming from the audience when I perform it definitely validates my career and reminds me why I work so hard because it is so worth it.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
I met my creative partner Mimi Davila freshman year of high school in drama class. We didn’t get along immediately as I thought she was a teacher’s pet, later I realized she was just REALLY passionate about school. I was more of a slacker, except in our drama class. Sophmore year our drama teacher partnered us on a project and that’s when we really got to know each other and realized we were artistic soulmates. We’ve been working together ever since. Our creative chemistry is undeniable and our mutual passion drives us. We encourage and support each other and we also annoy each other a lot. I think we bring out the best in each other as artists and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauradi.lorenzo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itslauradilorenzo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-di-lorenzo-47b949176/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheChongaGirlsMimiLaura
Image Credits
Stephanie Nelson