*Nominated: B Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama -- Laura Ray, Rosalind Franklin (The Filigree Theatre), 2023-2024
“Of special note is Laura Ray as Sarah. In many ways, “A Delicate Ship” is Sarah’s story, and Ray’s performance anchors the production with a thoroughly believable, likable female lead. Even as we question some of Sarah’s decisions (or lack thereof), her motivation is always crystal clear, to a heartbreaking degree."
--Andrew J. Friedenthal, Austin American Statesman review of A Delicate Ship
""It’s a difficult role for any actress, let alone one so young, but Ray is not only able to rise to the occasion, but surpass even our wildest expectations. She takes to stage with all the awkward grace of a newborn cygnet, innocent eyes open wide to a world full of confusion and heartbreak, a horrible past behind her. She approaches the role with talent far beyond her years, balancing a touching innocence with moments of pure madness, while never for a moment feeling false or overly dramatic. Her performance stands out as one of the best performances I have had the pleasure of seeing this year."
--Ryan E. Johnson, Austin Theatre Examiner review of Agnes of God
"I am so impressed by her naturalness on screen. A wonderful and rare quality to have..."
--Marlyn Mason
"Having a skillful cast to realize such an innovative new work is imperative to its effectiveness, and again this need is met...while there really are no weak links in this talented group, standout performances are also given by Ray, McLemore, and Travis Bedard."
--Elissa Russell, Austin Chronicle, review of Changelings
"Gates' choice to play with gender in a couple of roles pays off, particularly with Franklin, a friend and confidant of Arden's. Switching the character to a female adds a lovely element of jealousy, with Franklin harboring a secret love for Arden, even as his wife plots his death. This works within the text and raises the stakes for the character, which actress Laura Ray plays well.”
--Shanon Weaver, Austin Chronicle, review of the Arden of Faversham
"Laura Ray and Ben McLemore are exceptionally well cast as the siblings Megan and Luther Powers. Ray, in particular, conveyed the vulnerable ingénue beset by the fantastic."
--Dr. David Glen Robinson, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Changelings
"Moody also has the benefit of an incredible cast in front of the camera, anchored by a powerhouse performance by Akasha Villalobos and featuring stellar turns from Danielle Evon Ploeger, Brian Villalobos, Laura Ray, JD Carrera, Ryan Hamilton, Kelsey Pribilski, Chad Warren and Jason Vines."
--Ken W. Hanley of Fangoria, review of film Last Girl Standing
"Laura Ray is Mary Anne, the abused runaway wife who knows all about beguiling men but who wound up pregnant, battered, and neglected as a result. Ray captures Mary Anne's jumpy, contradictory and self-defeating attitude...This is a strong drama, strongly acted, but it's heavy..."
-Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre review of When We Were Young and Unafraid
"Ramirez and his stellar ensemble emphasize that the goddesses of this workshop production at the Vortex are neither Homeric nor Disneyfied. They're emotional and fallible, proud and vengeful, fearful and curious...Sing Muse's greatest strength is its ensemble, which moves, speaks, and sings together easily. The group scenes are well-timed and rarely feel forced. Individually, the actors succeed in differentiating their characters, personifying each art without hitting us with blunt stereotypes...Laura Ray brings a subtle, down-to-earth energy to the stage as Clio, muse of history."
--Jillian Owens, Austin Chronicle, review of Sing, Muse!
"The three gifted actresses in this cast are glittering points of an enigmatic constellation in that darkness...Laura Ray's performance as a stressed and confused young novice demonstrates impressive intensity and maturity."
--Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Agnes of God
"As the two resident nerds, Hayley Armstrong (Urania, Muse of Astronomy) and Laura Ray (Clio, Muse of History), are both charmingly erudite when called upon to explain anything to the others."
--Cate Blouke, Austin American Statesman, review of Sing, Muse!
"Laura Ray shows her versatility in the secondary roles assumed by the assistant, ranging from that breathily sincere actress to a real macho pig of a high schooler."
--Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Cardigan
"As Arden's business associate, Franklin, Laura Ray embodies the only friend of the title character with heartfelt loyalty. " -- Lynn Beaver, Broadway World review of Arden of Faversham
"Actress Laura Ray takes on this delicious role and succeeds in creating a crafty and brutal young lady who is brilliant at hiding her hatred and lies behind innocent eyes."
--Dawn Young, Cultural Map Austin, review of The Children's Hour
“Of special note is Laura Ray as Sarah. In many ways, “A Delicate Ship” is Sarah’s story, and Ray’s performance anchors the production with a thoroughly believable, likable female lead. Even as we question some of Sarah’s decisions (or lack thereof), her motivation is always crystal clear, to a heartbreaking degree."
--Andrew J. Friedenthal, Austin American Statesman review of A Delicate Ship
""It’s a difficult role for any actress, let alone one so young, but Ray is not only able to rise to the occasion, but surpass even our wildest expectations. She takes to stage with all the awkward grace of a newborn cygnet, innocent eyes open wide to a world full of confusion and heartbreak, a horrible past behind her. She approaches the role with talent far beyond her years, balancing a touching innocence with moments of pure madness, while never for a moment feeling false or overly dramatic. Her performance stands out as one of the best performances I have had the pleasure of seeing this year."
--Ryan E. Johnson, Austin Theatre Examiner review of Agnes of God
"I am so impressed by her naturalness on screen. A wonderful and rare quality to have..."
--Marlyn Mason
"Having a skillful cast to realize such an innovative new work is imperative to its effectiveness, and again this need is met...while there really are no weak links in this talented group, standout performances are also given by Ray, McLemore, and Travis Bedard."
--Elissa Russell, Austin Chronicle, review of Changelings
"Gates' choice to play with gender in a couple of roles pays off, particularly with Franklin, a friend and confidant of Arden's. Switching the character to a female adds a lovely element of jealousy, with Franklin harboring a secret love for Arden, even as his wife plots his death. This works within the text and raises the stakes for the character, which actress Laura Ray plays well.”
--Shanon Weaver, Austin Chronicle, review of the Arden of Faversham
"Laura Ray and Ben McLemore are exceptionally well cast as the siblings Megan and Luther Powers. Ray, in particular, conveyed the vulnerable ingénue beset by the fantastic."
--Dr. David Glen Robinson, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Changelings
"Moody also has the benefit of an incredible cast in front of the camera, anchored by a powerhouse performance by Akasha Villalobos and featuring stellar turns from Danielle Evon Ploeger, Brian Villalobos, Laura Ray, JD Carrera, Ryan Hamilton, Kelsey Pribilski, Chad Warren and Jason Vines."
--Ken W. Hanley of Fangoria, review of film Last Girl Standing
"Laura Ray is Mary Anne, the abused runaway wife who knows all about beguiling men but who wound up pregnant, battered, and neglected as a result. Ray captures Mary Anne's jumpy, contradictory and self-defeating attitude...This is a strong drama, strongly acted, but it's heavy..."
-Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre review of When We Were Young and Unafraid
"Ramirez and his stellar ensemble emphasize that the goddesses of this workshop production at the Vortex are neither Homeric nor Disneyfied. They're emotional and fallible, proud and vengeful, fearful and curious...Sing Muse's greatest strength is its ensemble, which moves, speaks, and sings together easily. The group scenes are well-timed and rarely feel forced. Individually, the actors succeed in differentiating their characters, personifying each art without hitting us with blunt stereotypes...Laura Ray brings a subtle, down-to-earth energy to the stage as Clio, muse of history."
--Jillian Owens, Austin Chronicle, review of Sing, Muse!
"The three gifted actresses in this cast are glittering points of an enigmatic constellation in that darkness...Laura Ray's performance as a stressed and confused young novice demonstrates impressive intensity and maturity."
--Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Agnes of God
"As the two resident nerds, Hayley Armstrong (Urania, Muse of Astronomy) and Laura Ray (Clio, Muse of History), are both charmingly erudite when called upon to explain anything to the others."
--Cate Blouke, Austin American Statesman, review of Sing, Muse!
"Laura Ray shows her versatility in the secondary roles assumed by the assistant, ranging from that breathily sincere actress to a real macho pig of a high schooler."
--Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre, review of Cardigan
"As Arden's business associate, Franklin, Laura Ray embodies the only friend of the title character with heartfelt loyalty. " -- Lynn Beaver, Broadway World review of Arden of Faversham
"Actress Laura Ray takes on this delicious role and succeeds in creating a crafty and brutal young lady who is brilliant at hiding her hatred and lies behind innocent eyes."
--Dawn Young, Cultural Map Austin, review of The Children's Hour