With a concentration in theatre arts, Lawrence Hughes Stern received his B.A. degree from Brown University (with a concentration in theatre arts and dramatic literature). He graduated from U.C.L.A.'s Department of Theatre, Film, and Television with an M.F.A. degree in writing – and was awarded an academic scholarship, a prestigious teaching assistant's position, and a generous stipend. He also graduated with departmental honors and was Summa Cum Laude.

 

His agent is Michael Pio, at Innovative Artists in Los Angeles, CA.  He has had five features optioned.

 

As a graduate student, Lawrence premiered several theatrical works – and was chosen as the winner in a university-wide competition to adapt his one-act play “UNDERTOW” to film, which was then shot and financed by the film department (and supervised by director Jay Sandrich). He also won honors for several other projects – on stage, film, and the radio.Lawrence's character driven dramatic play LIFE SUPPORT was named an award winner in the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Competition. He has since adapted this moving and unique play for film.

 

The screenplay version, called "INTENSIVE CARE," is now being packaged and has attracted strong interest/attachments from lots of prestigious actresses/talent agents. David Mickey Evans (“The Sandlot”, “Radio Flyer”, “First Kid”, etc.) is attached to direct the film. Two independent producers optioned “INTENSIVE CARE” but Lawrence later got the rights back and is now one of two lead producers in addition to being the writer. He and his producing partner Kristen Moser are far along in the packaging process as of 2025 - with almost the entire cast, sales agent, financier, etc. "Intensive Care" has also been named a finalist for the Sundance Writing Lab and a finalist for the Sundance Producers Lab.

 

Recently, Lawrence completed another new screenplay - "The Last Bombshell." It presents an entirely original solution to the death of Marilyn Monroe and is a tale that shows Marilyn in a strong and proactive light, NOT as a victim. This script has already placed highly in 13 competitions - winning one of them. As of 2025, it has been optioned by a producer/director.

 

Lawrence has a new, dark comedy/Sci-Fi thriller script called "Childproof" - which was a finalist for the Sundance Writing Lab.  Plus, his original TV sitcom pilot "All About Me" was recently named 3rd place Winner in the 2025 Scriptapalooza TV Writing Competition. 

 

Some other notable awards: Lawrence also has written an original stage musical DECEIT (author of the book, music and lyrics) and was awarded the Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme Musical Theatre Scholarship for this show - while still a graduate student. He’s adapted this script for film too. Twice, he has been a finalist for the Chesterfield Writing Competition. In addition, he’s been a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Conference, as well as the Actors Theatre of Louisville Ten Minute Play Contest. His script "SHEP HUNTLEIGH" (a radical, original, reinterpretation of "Streetcar") moved into the Semi-final round of the Fade In Awards two years ago. His drama/love story screenplay "ALONE TOGETHER" advanced into the Semi-final round of the Fade In Awards.

 

His musical comedy stage show ALL ABOUT ME (about a former child star gone bad) -- which he wrote and directed -- played to sold-out crowds at the Zephyr Theatre in Hollywood, CA in 2000. It was also selected by LA Weekly as "Pick of the Week."

 

​Lawrence was pleased to be part of "Together Apart" - a very unique, online project in 2021. It showcased 10 original short, musical films about life on Zoom during the pandemic - produced/written/acted/created entirely by Brown University alums. Lawrence write the short piece "Family Game Night" - acted in it too - and composed its song. "Together Apart" streamed on Broadway on Demand and raised over 50k for The Actors Fund. 

 

He has also completed two novels and has written over 20 original songs – two of which were finalists in the Billboard Magazine Songwriting Competition.Lawrence has written and directed several short films. He has been paid to write, script-doctor, and polish many screenplays.

 

For example, Director Thomas Makowski hired him to polish/rewrite a new dramatic feature called "MANK" – adapted from the biography of Herman Mankiewicz by Richard Meryman. Thomas also hired him to adapt the historical novel "LORD JAMES" into miniseries format.ILawrence was hired to do a revision of the urban comedy “GOING GREEN” for two independent producers in LA. He was paid to do a polish of the drama “LIKE A COUNTRY SONG” by the producer/director of the project ( released theatrically in late 2013), and he is a credited screenplay consultant on the picture. He has been hired for many other indie writing and rewriting projects.​

 

In addition to his writing and directing credits, Lawrence has worked a great deal at the top literary agencies in Los Angeles (ICM, previously, and UTA, currently) as a script analyst/reader – and the new company ScriptHop AKA The Gauntlet. Also, he has previously been hired at the development level for MGM, Centropolis Entertainment, and FOX. He has also been hired to edit many scripts, novels, and non-fiction works.

 

Lawrence also taught high school (Beverly Hills Prep School) and college classes (UCLA) in writing, American and English literature, acting, and performance studies. He has also served as one of the judges in the international screenplay competition called The Page Awards.Lawrence has performed extensively as an actor (mostly on stage but in some film and network TV work too, in Los Angeles) and as a professional pianist and singer on both coasts - jazz, classical, pop, show tunes, and standards.

 

Recently, he recorded his first songwriting demo. He was hired to compose and record the original music for a children’s book, “Your Feet are Getting Sleepy.” He is originally from Washington, DC and he lives in Los Angeles, CA.To read more about Lawrence Hughes Stern and some of his film and TV credits, please check out his profile on Imdb.com.