Laurie spent the next few years honing her songwriting skills and recording experience. Then, having been an actress in the Wichita theatre community throughout the early 1980's, Laurie found herself participating once again in local theatre in 2000 during which time she used her talents as Sound Designer for a number of productions at the Wichita Center For The Arts. Although her passion for being a performing musician has always surpassed her interest in theatre, she is very pleased to have won Wichita's "Mary Jane Teal Award" in 2001 for her last contribution to the production of "Tru".

Laurie ventured into the local jazz scene in 2000 and enjoyed being a featured guest vocalist at several jazz venues. Then in 2001, as a singer and guitarist, she joined the classic rock and jump blues band, The Del Reys, eventually departing from The Del Reys to concentrate on her musical performance schedule with Larry Hucke.