K. Lorrel Manning
Classes Taught:
Acting III
Lorrel Manning is an award-winning writer, director, actor, and musician with a distinguished career in both film and theatre. His work is characterized by its exploration of identity, resilience, and human connection, often pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Manning’s debut feature film, Happy New Year, premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival and screened at over two dozen festivals worldwide, receiving multiple awards, including the Directorial Discovery Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Sante Fe International Film Festival. His most recent short film, The Red Shoe, won the prestigious Hearts, Minds & Souls Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and continues its national festival tour. Currently, Manning is developing two new film projects: the feature-length Sheila & The Punk Rock and the short experimental film Maria, both scheduled for production in 2025/26.
In addition to his film work, Manning is an accomplished theatre artist. His solo show Lost...Found premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival to critical acclaim. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the Off-Broadway world premiere of Awake at the Barrow Group Theatre, where he is a resident director and instructor. Manning’s directorial work includes numerous productions that have been praised for their emotional depth and innovative staging. He is currently in development on two new theatre projects: the full-length play Pamela, and a new solo show, Hipster: A Love Story.
Manning holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University and a BFA in Drama from the University of Georgia.