Lauren Raske
Whatever Lauren Raske does, she does it bold, big and brilliant. What does she do? That's trickier.
The company that the Lauren Raske founded in 2014, Wilmington-based 7textures, designs “experiences.” Some describe it as a for-hire art department, with the ability to design and style a wedding, gala or other event. Raske and business partner Britt Killeen work with a roster of about 70 contractors to create luminous spaces and fill them with lavish entertainment and decor.
“People come to us because they have an idea of something they would like to see happen,” says Raske, 33. “We do the art direction, we work in their spaces to create the experience they are looking for.”
A native of River Vale, New Jersey, she graduated Drexel in 2007 with a major in design and merchandising, and a minor in fine arts. While at Drexel a friend taught her the unlikely skill of fire-eating and she became a sought-after fire performer — her first step toward a career in event design.
“Fire is a very pure, elemental material that everybody connects with,” she says. “And there’s the danger aspect. People like to be amazed, they enjoy the thrill of it.”
As a performer, she helped to put people in touch with other performers and creative types. The business model grew organically from there, as Raske began to formally assemble teams for performances. Her early gigs included the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and she also helped curate live art experiences at Spruce Street Harbor Park on Philadelphia’s riverfront.
While 7textures undertakes most of its work for private customers at exclusive venues, many in Philadelphia know the company’s site-specific work through its highly acclaimed production, The Ghostly Circus, which this summer celebrated its fifth annual performance in Laurel Hill Cemetery. With patrons seated amongst the tombs, performers put on an otherworldly display of fire dancing, aerial acrobatics and other surprises.
The show is a special favorite for Raske, who embraces the opportunity to make pure theater. “It’s a show that doesn’t have a client, it’s just a showcase event where we get to put together these acts for the sake of art,” she says. “It’s pretty incredible to see what we can do when we all come together as a group.”
Raske’s co-op work as an assistant to a bridal designer had a direct impact on her career trajectory. “I really loved the event production, the fashion shows and the behind-the-scenes work that helped to support the beautiful gowns that we were producing,” she recalls. “That’s a lot of what my career has turned into. Whether it’s a fashion production or a circus production, it’s all about the experience.”
Most recently, 7textures brought The Ghostly Circus indoors as dinner theater for the first time, in a performance at 2300 Arena. “It’s a way of taking the experience to the next level, to make it even more delicious,” she says. — Adam Stone
