Bethany Love Orr, later known as Effie Lavore, grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she and her siblings were home-schooled, thereby limiting their exposure to most forms of media. It was not until she entered high school that she discovered her passion for theatre and film, which ultimately led her to join the traveling improv group Theatrical Garbage.
As the youngest comedienne to perform in a weekly show at her hometown comedy club, Lavore's early start in the entertainment industry laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. While continuing to perform locally, she pursued a degree in science from the University of Colorado, with plans to attend medical school after graduation. However, her passion for the entertainment industry ultimately led her to forgo medical school and focus on a career in the arts.
Lavore has since been featured on various television shows, including Criminal Minds and Stalker, as well as numerous film and web projects. In 2012, she made her directorial debut with the original short film Agorable, which showcased her talent and versatility behind the camera. Her second short film, Winner, was made on a remarkably low budget of $100 and went on to win $10,000 in prizes at the inaugural Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge Fest in Hollywood.
Lavore's impressive body of work has not gone unnoticed, as she was hand-selected to study with the renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog in his Rogue Film School. She was also a fellow of the Transatlantic Talent Lab, Iceland's first-time feature filmmaker incubator, providing her with valuable opportunities to hone her craft and connect with other like-minded individuals.
In addition to her work as a director and actress, Lavore is also a writer, and her feature film Excess Flesh premiered at SXSW in 2015.
