#original blog posts

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@pink-plastic ‘s copy of Jasmine Guy’s self-titled. It’s so pretty! Thanks for sending!

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Hey guys! It’s been a while since I’ve shared any type of event with y’all.

The last two (POWER30 and the Dare to Do Conference) were in-person events, located in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.  Well, this time around- the event comes via remote attendance! The Graduate Teleseminar, priced at $20, is geared specifically toward helping graduating seniors and other young women jumpstart their careers. The phone conference will be hosted by career coach Bianca Jackson (check her credentials above) whose goal is to share everything she’s learned and gained from Corporate America over the last 12 years. You’ll learn:

How to find your passion and career path

How to communicate your passion and professionally brand yourself with your elevator pitch, resume, and LinkedIn

How to use Linkedin and networking events to reach the ever elusive recruiters and hiring managers at your dream companies.

The 3-part series will start August 5th and end August 19th (10:30am-11:30am ET).

All you need is your phone to attend! Enter coupon code KABS at checkout to get 10% knocked off of your ticket price. Click here for more information and ticket purchase. I’ll definitely be on the line! Hope you’ll be, too! :) -Kabs

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Hey guys! For the past 2 years or so, y’all have submitted costume help requests during costume season. So! I set up a page with costume ideas for ADW characters! Go on the blog, click “ADW Costumes”, then click the character name of your choosing. And @livy-n , I saw your request for a Freddie costume a few days after Halloween, last year. I don’t know if you still need it- but it’s coming! Have fun creating your looks and feel free to tag me! I’ll be sure to share 😁

-Kabs

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Latest Hillman Alumni: Lauren Du Pree of justdupree.com Read her interview here

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Photo’s: Images of Lauren Du Pree are credited to washingtonpost.com and justdupree.com Meet Lauren Du Pree: Actor, singer, dancer, and teaching artist lighting up D.C. Come in, take your shoes off (keep your socks on) and get comfortable with me for the first interview of 2017!

Kabs: Your blog has a revolving theme that, if internalized, could definitely become a benefit to young black women everywhere: Breaking before you build. In life, we make plans and take steps to lay our path a certain way. I’ve learned the hard way that God laughs when you make a plan. God will often times take a certain part of your life, or sometimes your entire life, and shake it until it shatters. It’s an excruciating process of him allowing you to rebuild in his vision. Can you identify the moment where you realized you had to let go of your planned path?

Lauren Du Pree: Definitely. I was staying with my cousin in D.C. and had just come back from a trip to NY looking for a job and a place to live. This was the first time I didn’t have a show lined up since I graduated, so I had no idea what was next. I found a teaching artist job working with kids, and I was all set to go back to NY the following week for a last round interview, but it was clear that they really wanted me for the job. Everything seemed like it was lining up for me to move to NY, but I felt so uneasy. I actually had a panic attack in my friend’s living room in NY while I was looking for apartments. I started having them around the summer of 2014 and it was now late February or early March 2015. I knew it was time for me to leave D.C., so I assumed that meant moving to NY was the next step since it was always my plan to move eventually, but I wasn’t excited about the new job or NY and I didn’t understand why. I was sitting on the bed studying 2 Corinthians and I read this passage:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I immediately broke down crying and knew that I had to go home and get healthy and start the blog that God gave me the vision for, years before. I had been dealing with health issues since the summer and I had no idea what was going on. I knew that moving to NY wouldn’t bring me happiness. The same issues I had in D.C. would follow me to NY, so I had to go home and heal my body, mind, and spirit, and share the journey. Because like the passage says, God comforts us in our troubles so that we may comfort others. Whatever it was I was going through, I had to share it to help someone else.

Kabs: Amazingly selfless. You didn’t only leave your life in New York untapped so you could heal, but so that you could heal others. Realizing the change that you’re destined to bring to others lives can sound glamorous, as it is often romanticized… but anyone who has actually had to pair action with their moment of realization knows for a fact that it is terrifying. While taking up your task, what insecurities did you deal within yourself? What insecurities did others project onto you? Lauren Du Pree: When starting off the blog I was terrified every time I put up a post. Will people like it? Will they relate? Is this even helpful? Is this sharing too much? Not enough? Being so public about everything I’m going through is very out of character for me. I’m a very private person, but I knew that I had to share this journey to help others. I always get such amazing, positive feedback from my posts, and I’m surprised at how many people are battling the same insecurities or health issues. We are truly not alone in our struggles, and it’s important to be open so we can connect with and help others. I’ve learned through the blog that if God puts it on my heart to share, it’s will be received by someone and it will help someone.

As far as other people’s insecurities, someone in my life worried about me putting pictures up of my eczema and images of me not looking my best. Being an actor, my appearance is important, and of course, I want casting directors and theatres to see me in a good light, literally and figuratively. However, being real and true to myself is more important than worrying about how people in the theatre community and acting world might receive me.

Kabs: Please, explain to us what the GAPS program is and how it applies to your life.

Lauren Du Pree: The GAPS program, or Gut And Psychology Syndrome, is a healing diet that I chose to go on. At the time, I believed that leaky gut was the cause of my health issues. Leaky gut is when the lining of the gut leaks out food particles and pathogens into the bloodstream. The body identifies them as foreign invaders and attacks. This causes all sorts of inflammation like skin issues (I was dealing with horrible eczema breakouts), panic attacks, digestive issues, allergies, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and a long list of other symptoms. The diet works to heal the gut by eliminating foods that are hard to digest. The beginning of the diet consists of meat and bone broth and boiled meats and vegetables. You slowly introduce more foods as your gut heals.

While I did have leaky gut, it was caused by topical steroid withdrawal, which is caused by using topical steroid creams to treat eczema. I had used them since I was a toddler, but they actually just made my eczema worse through the years. I had to get stronger and stronger prescriptions until finally, in October 2014, I decided to stop using them and find a natural remedy for eczema. At this point, my body was addicted to the steroids and me taking them away started the withdrawal process. It takes months to years to heal from TSW and I’ve been going through it for about 17 months. Not only does your skin go haywire during TSW (uncontrollable itching, burning, raw skin, red skin, constant flaking etc), other symptoms include panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, leaky gut and adrenal and thyroid issues.

Kabs: Given the way you’re overcoming your struggles with physical and mental illness, what treatment advice would you give to your younger self (in regard to conquering your immune system and depression/ anxiety)?

Lauren Du Pree: I think the best advice I could give to my younger self would be that a lot of times you’re not going to fit in, but that’s okay! It doesn’t mean that you’re less than anyone else and it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with you. A lot of my health issues stemmed from not being able to eat a normal American diet. Food is a huge part of our society, and it’s a part of most social events. I found myself struggling with not being able to go out to eat with people, or not being able to party and drink. A lot of times I chose to eat or drink things I knew weren’t healing to my body, because I didn’t want to be an outcast, and I didn’t want to deal with the objections and questions of other people about my diet. I didn’t want to change the way I interacted with my friends.  Changing your diet to heal your body is a full lifestyle change, physically and socially. I don’t think a lot of people realize that. In order to truly change you have to make a plan and stick to it and not worry about what other people think. Also, a lot of my depression and anxiety when I was younger stemmed from wanting to fit in and be a part of the crowd. It’s been a lifelong struggle, but I’m finally getting to a place where I’m content being me and I’m content being different. My advice to my younger self, in this area, would be to stop seeking validation from other people and start building a stronger relationship with God and yourself. If you don’t truly love the person God created you to be, you’ll never be satisfied. One of my constant prayers is to see myself how God sees me.

Kabs: With all the recipe blogging that you do, what is your favorite recipe to prepare that coincides with the GAPS program?

Lauren Du Pree: I’m not going to lie, I’ve strayed a little from the GAPS program. It’s still the basis of my diet, but I’ve been eating the most random things lately. The good thing is, I’m not reacting the way I have before. I used to wake up with my eyes swollen shut, so I’m guessing my immune system is stronger now. However, when I was consistent with the program, I loved making cauliflower mash and meatballs. I would boil the cauliflower in broth with onions and garlic, blend it in the vitamix, then simmer that on the stove and let the meatballs cook in the mash. I would add mushrooms and onion in, too. It’s like the GAPS version of mashed potatoes and meatballs.

Kabs: Inventive! I’m gonna have to try that. I’m ecstatic to hear that your immune system has strengthened! Keeping in line with your venture from the GAPS diet: What recipes have you been indulging in since the strengthening of your immune system?

Lauren Du Pree: [My diet] is more paleo based now. One of my favorite dishes right now is almond crusted chicken tenders. The recipe is up on my blog, but it’s basically pan fried chicken tenders made with almond meal and tapioca flour. I’ve been lazy with the cooking lately so I need to try some new recipes. Another dish I tried was shrimp alfredo made with coconut cream. One day I had a craving for alfredo pasta and went on pinterest to get some ideas. Instead of pasta, I used zoodles (zucchini noodles).

Kabs: I’ve picked up on your musical tastes while reading through your blog. What was your favorite Ben Tankard song to dance to as a child?

Lauren Du Pree: Honestly, I was so young when I danced to Ben Tankard. I was crawling around shaking my little diaper booty to his music. I just listened to some of his music to see if anything would ring a bell, but I just remember those guitar licks and that early 90s sound. However, I think baby Lauren probably got down to Take Sax (Spread Love).

Kabs: Congratulations on your role in the production My Heart Is the Drumwith the Village Theatre! You were in the ensemble and also played Kanika. Please tell me about Kanika!

Lauren Du Pree: Thank you! Kanika is a product of unfortunate circumstances. She is very strong but hardened by the cards that life has dealt her. She has been trapped in a sex trafficking ring and has to deal with the man who put her there, Caesar, and also train the new girls that come in. In the show, Caesar brings in two 16-year-olds. Kanika is disgusted by this, and initially, it seems as if she is cold hearted towards the girls, but in the end, she helps them escape and gets out herself.

Kabs: Kanika sounds just as headstrong as you are! What has been most rewarding about stepping into your role of leading and inspiring other women? What has been the most taxing?

Lauren Du Pree: Getting feedback from other women that my blog inspires them or helps them keeps me motivated. It reminds me of why I do this and pushes me to keep going. That is definitely the most rewarding part of Just Du Pree: knowing that I’m helping people. Sometimes it’s a challenge to stay consistent with updating my blog. This past spring through summer I was not motivated to work on the blog. I’m not sure where my mind was, but it wasn’t on updating my blog. Like all humans, sometimes I just don’t feel like doing the work. It’s during these times that I have to remind myself that I’m not doing this just for me.

Kabs: What is your favorite part of playing in an ensemble?

Lauren Du Pree: In this particular show, I just love the people that I get to work with every day. We have such a great rapport with each other offstage, that it shows onstage. We cover some heavy subject matter in the show, so it helps that we’re always cracking jokes with each other and having fun. And the whole show isn’t a downer! There is a lot of joy in the story, despite what the two young girls who get caught up in the ring go through. But there’s a whole Act before they get to that part, so we get to see who they are in the first half of the show.

Kabs: How exciting is it to be apart of the world premiere of a production? What responsibilities do you feel to represent the art to the fullest because this is the first go around?

Lauren Du Pree: It’s always exciting to be a part of a new work. I have the awesome opportunity to originate the role of Kanika. I’m the first to sing her song and convey her story onstage. This is a really amazing show, so I’m sure it’s going places after this. There’s a lot of responsibility, especially with the writers involved in the process. This is their baby, so you want to make sure that you’re really bringing their ideas to life, either by being what they envisioned, or bringing something new to the table that they hadn’t even imagined. It’s such a cool thing performers get to do by taking words off of the page and making it real. It’s our job to find our truth in the work.

Kabs: “It’s such a cool thing performers get to do by taking words off of the page and making it real. It’s our job to find our truth in the work.” Yes! I couldn’t have said it better myself! I’ve always subscribed to the theory that in order to play a role well, you have to have some of that character inside of you. The character is either born from you, or you are reborn from the character (sometimes both). Does that ring true, in regard to your past roles?

Lauren Du Pree: Definitely. I think the best example of that for me would be playing Orphie in Orphie and the Book of Heroes. I portrayed a little Greek orphan who goes on a quest to save Homer from Hades. She thinks she needs the help of Heracles, but after finding out he’s a jerk, she has to become her own hero. A lot of Orphie’s characteristics I already had; spunky, optimistic, and loving. What’s interesting is that I played this role not long before I moved home and went on my own quest of healing and starting this blog. A lot of the qualities Orphie had to find within herself to complete her quest, I had to find for myself as well. Playing the role was kind of foreshadowing for the next phase of my life.

Find Lauren Du Pree Online

Follow her on Twitter: Like her Facebook Follow her Instagram Watch her on YouTube Keep up with her blog (justdupree.com)

Upcoming Show

Deena Jones in Dreamgirls: Dreamgirls at Village Theatre in Issaquah (Click here for show details, locations and ticket purchase) 

Video

Social Media Friends Coconut Oil: A True Story Dr. Aron Method Update: 5 1/2 Months

Media Features

Orphie and the Book of Heroes

Theatre Review: ‘Orphie and the Book of Heroes’ at The Kennedy Center’s Family Theater

Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Washington Savoyards: Smoking Hot Jazz, On The Rocks And With A Twist

DuPree ’07 Selected for DC Metro Theatre Arts Awards

Five Friday Questions with Lauren Du Pree

Transcendent ‘My Heart Is the Drum’ haunts with reality of AIDS crisis | REVIEW

Review: ‘Orphie and the Book of Heroes’ at the Kennedy Center is an epic success

At Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices, unique works for youth go beyond child’s play

Transcendent ‘My Heart Is the Drum’ haunts with reality of AIDS crisis | REVIEW

NBCU Talent Programs‏: Our 7th finalist: LAUREN DU PREE! You can catch her on stage this summer playing DEENA in DREAMGIRLS

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“A Different World”

Season 4, Episode 5: The Goodwill Games

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"A Different World"

Season 4, Episode 5: The Goodwill Games

[its-a-different-world]

"A Different World"

Season 4, Episode 5: The Goodwill Games