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About Lora

When I returned to Albuquerque in 2009, I realized I had a responsibility to our film community to share the knowledge I had gained while in Los Angeles for 14 years. In order to be respectful of our other local acting teachers, I researched them and what they were teaching. I made sure to have integrity for their work and to come up with my own ideas, curriculum and class format — something fresh and new that could only come from within me and from my experience.

 

Combining all of my education, training and work, I created the Albuquerque Actors' Studio.

My goal was and is to train actors, within the entire realm of working in film and television — from the audition, to callback to filming on set.

As a working actor, I continue to grow and learn, which allows what I teach to grow and evolve. I will always give you my best.

Ultimately, my hope is that you will leave the Albuquerque Actors' Studio with well-rounded skills and multi-dimensional training, and, most importantly, that you walk away with a deep respect for acting and a true belief in yourself.

 

Thank you

Background

Lora Cunningham was born in Albuquerque and raised in its South Valley. She appears opposite Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis during two pivotal scenes in the Hughes’ Brothers’ post-apocalyptic thriller, THE BOOK OF ELI. She has also been recently cast in BLESS ME ULTIMA, BARE, SICARIO, ONLY THE BRAVE and IDEAL HOME.

Recent television highlights include recurring roles on THE MESSENGERS, T@GGED, GRAVES, MIDNIGHT, TX and HBO's THE UNSETTLING.

Well-respected by fellow alumni from Hollywood’s prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Cunningham currently teaches courses on Film Acting and Audition Technique.

Ever exploring and expanding her own creative ambitions, Lora has most recently established Cunningham Productions, LLC., under which she is currently producing and directing television commercials. In addition, she owns Soldancer Productions, LLC., which houses the development of a television series she created. With these projects, her goal is to provide hundreds of jobs to local New Mexico cast and crew for several years.

Union/Guild

Directors Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, American Advertising Federation

Honors & Awards
  • 2018 ADDY AWARD American Advertising Award for MENAUL SCHOOL TV Campaign

  • 2018 ALBUQUERQUE 30 Award for MENAUL SCHOOL TV Campaign

  • 2014 ADDY AWARD American Advertising Award for ARCA TV Campaign

  • 2014 ALBUQUERQUE 30 Award for ARCA "Holiday" TV spot

  • 2013 BARRY E. WALLACE AWARD for Outstanding Service to New Mexico Film

  • 2012 ADDY AWARD American Advertising Award for THAT'S MY JOB TV Campaign

  • 2010 LUMINARIA AWARD for Those Who Light the Path in the New Mexico Film Industry

Organizations
  • 2017- current: Directors Guild of America

  • 1999- current: SAG-AFTRA

  • 2013- current: American Advertising Federation of New Mexico Board of Directors

  • 2010- 2012: New Mexico Women in Film Board of Directors

View Lora's film and television credits on the IMDb.

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