Author: Lauren Bjella

Lauren Bjella

Lauren Bjella is the social media and design manager at The Independent and a senior undergraduate journalism student with minors in dance, nonprofit communication, and women’s, gender, & sexuality studies at Emerson College. As a dancer for 19 years, she has a passion for the arts and movement but also writing about it. In her free time, she likes to embroider tote bags and build elaborate charcuterie boards.


Articles Written by Lauren Bjella:

Pacific Northwest Ballet Dance Film festival banner with dancers on the cover

Pacific Northwest Ballet Launches Dance Film Festival

In October, Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) announced the launch of the PNB Dance Film Festival, accepting submissions through December 15, 2021, for their March 18, 2022, virtual premiere. With only a few dance film festivals dedicated solely to showcasing the art form, PNB wants to provide a platform to amplify dance films and emerging artists…. Read more »

The Michael Myers Impact

Known for its overt violence and gore compared to the original film, “Halloween II” (1981), made its way to the big screen 40 years ago on October 30, 1981, with a significant budget and high expectations. After pulling in $47 million in domestic box office and an additional $23 million internationally, making the theatrical total… Read more »