Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Erica Elsa Laros, a writer and attorney based in Providence, Rhode Island, is a woman of diverse passions. She describes herself first and foremost as a reader, with an insatiable curiosity that extends from the solemn inscriptions on gravestones to the vibrant expressions of graffiti. Beyond the written word, Laros finds inspiration in the ethereal realm of dreamscapes and the striking beauty of pink tree photography. Her professional life as an attorney, drafting wills, adds another layer to her multifaceted persona.

Laros’s creative process is deeply intertwined with her love of reading. A piece about one of her favorite authors sparked the initial idea for “My Ghosts,” the musical she is developing with her partner, David Laros. She crafted a fictional world around an experience of this author, creating the central character, Cab Curio, specifically with David in mind. The collaboration proved fruitful, with David seamlessly embodying the character and bringing him to life through original music and lyrics. Laros playfully notes that David “overnight became Cab!”

The Laroses’ creative partnership is a study in balance and mutual respect. They work in separate spaces, one upstairs and one downstairs, allowing for focused individual work. However, the sound of David’s piano drifting through the house serves as a creative catalyst for Erica, providing a backdrop for her writing. Equally important are the periods of silence, which allow for deeper contemplation. Their collaborative process emphasizes patience and thoughtful consideration. They allow each other’s ideas to “marinate” before offering feedback, a practice they extend to their culinary life as well.

Laros’s fascination with the macabre is evident in her work. She readily admits her love for Charles Addams and recounts being referred to as “Morticia” in her legal work. Interestingly, her experience writing obituaries, initially an outlet for grief after the loss of loved ones, also contributed to her creative journey. One of her obituaries was even featured in the New York Times’ “Overlooked” series. This experience, coupled with her childhood love of Stephen King novels and the atmospheric charm of her old neighborhood, has nurtured her interest in ghost stories. She explains that “My Ghosts” emerged organically, with the idea of a ghost mentor for the protagonist feeling like a natural fit.

“My Ghosts,” currently in development at LitArts RI, is more than just a spooky tale for the Laroses. It’s a project with a purpose. They hope to shed light on the life of the author who inspired the story and to explore the universal experience of the inner critic, that often-harsh voice within us. Like David, Erica shares the ambition of bringing “My Ghosts” to New York City and international audiences, sharing their unique blend of storytelling, music, and thought-provoking themes with the world. Erica Elsa Laros’s diverse experiences, from law to literature, and her fascination with both the real and spectral, make her a compelling and creative force in the world of theater.