If you want to use your MacBook with the lid closed, you'll obviously need to have an external mouse and keyboard to operate it.
Starting with the lid closed shut, just wiggle your mouse around or press a key on the keyboard to wake up your computer. Despite the lid still being closed, you can still use your laptop that way.
If you want to use an external mouse, but use your MacBook keyboard, AND have the MacBook LCD turned off while the external LCD is on (why would you need your MacBook screen turned on if you only plan on using the external LCD, right?), then do what I described above, but once the computer is turned on, wait around 5 seconds, then open the lid of your laptop and just start using the keyboard. The MacBook LCD should remain off if you do this.