Laura Pursell Stars in "The Pope of Jocelyn Hollow" Dec 1-3/8-10!

"The Pope of Jocelyn Hollow" follows Laura's hilarious and misguided attempts to win the love and approval of a mother who is unable to give it. This redemptive tale is about forgiveness and finding your own way, while growing up in a matriarchal family of Southern eccentrics.

What began as a cathartic personal monologue blossomed into a one-woman show with the help of writer, actress, and director Mia Christou. “The Pope of Jocelyn Hollow” won first place in the 2017 TAG Studio Solo Festival in Burbank.

Catch Laura's captivating and highly regarded performance at the The Actors Group Theater 2813 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA. 91505 from 8:00-9:15pm on December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 only!!! (Street and neighborhood parking available). It'll make you laugh and cry and what a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the season!!

Credits for "The Pope of Jocelyn Hollow" include: Story by and performed by Laura Pursell; Written by Laura Pursell and Mia Christou; Directed by Mia Christou. Tickets can be purchased at: https://thepopeofjocelynhollow.eventbrite.com ($15 general admission) Please feel free to email Laura at laurapursell@me.com for any questions, industry tickets, etc.

Growing up in a colorful Southern family gave Laura Pursell all the tools she needed to become a writer and actress. A native of Nashville, Laura began raiding the attic for costumes and staging her own mini-productions at home with her brother at the age of 10. At 18, Laura was cast as Dick Van Patton’s niece in a nationally televised Christmas special, “The Gift of Song”, starring a host of country music stars.

Relocating to Los Angeles in her 20’s, Laura studied at the South Coast Repertory and the Beverly Hills Playhouse. She has starred in dozens of stage productions all over LA, including "Blue Moon Dancing" by Ed Graczyk, "In the City for the Summer” (“Variety" singled out her gritty performance), and the farcical, outrageous "And Then There was Nun" doing a hilarious send-up of Gloria Swanson. In 2013 she played one of three leads in the coming-of-middle-age web series “Living the Dream” written by Monica Torres.

In 2015, Laura starred in "Only the Moon Howls", a dramatic one act which won the Encore! Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. The performance was singled out for its "deep emotional access" and hailed as "heartbreaking", "truthful", "sensitive" and “vulnerable”.

An extremely talented vocalist as well, Laura has recorded and performed with some of the greatest and accomplished jazz musicians on the West Coast. She has recorded five CD albums. Her self-penned semi-autobiographical CD “Somewhere in this Room” was voted one of the top 25 indie releases of 2008 by IndieMusic.com.

Her most recent celebrated CD, “The Very Last Dance Hall Left in L.A.”, was recorded in Nashville with her father, the acclaimed pianist and composer Bill Pursell. Laura and her father co-write the title track, which is truly a magnum opus!

Laura is also a skilled figure skater who has been in competition for many years, winning awards and wowing the crowds with her expertise. At the 2015 Adult National Championships in Salt Lake City, she placed 3rd in her division.

Suffice it to say, Laura is much more than a triple threat. Her nonstop energy and enthusiasm allows her to exceed all expectations. Stay tuned for surprises galore in the coming year!!