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France-Luce Benson graduates from Carnegie Mellon University with an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing this year. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Florida International University. She founded Adunde Theatre Company in Miami, Fl and collaborated with African Heritage Cultural Center and Coconut Grove Playhouse.

In New York, she has participated in Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Going to the River Festival , 2002 - 2007. Her plays Silence of the Mambo, Destiny’s Edge, Ascension, and Floating Under Water have all had readings and/or workshops there. In 2000, she was honored as the Playwright in Residence for the Negro Ensemble Company, and was commissioned to write Barbara’s Keys; which premiered at the Lamb’s Theatre. Da Beat Trap, a one woman show written and performed by Ms. Benson, co-produced by NEC, debuted at the Producer’s Club. Fati’s Last Dance received a student workshop at Carnegie Mellon University. Later this month, Bricolage will present a workshop of Floating Under Water in Pittsburgh.

Ms. Benson is a two-time recipient of the Shubert Foundation Fellowship Award. Her screenplay, Healing Roots, was awarded the $10,000 prize in the Alfred P. Sloan competition. Fati’s Last Dance won an Honorable Mention prize in the Kennedy Center’s Lorraine Hansberry Award for Playwriting. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc., and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Labels: Bio, Class of 2008