In this episode of Badass Black Girl, MJ talks with France-Luce Benson, playwright, film and television writer, arts educator and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Fountain Theatre. They discuss her journey from Zaire to Los Angeles and points in-between, and how her multicultural background informs her work and life. They also discuss her work and themes that are prevalent in her plays such as concerns of the Caribbean and African diasporas. MJ asks France-Luce how to nurture a life in theatre, and they talk about the importance of nurturing relationships with artists you admire, and how the world of theatre has been influenced by social media. France-Luce talks about the first time she had a play professionally produced and the joy of seeing the production take shape. They talk about the importance of collaboration in theatre and how to meet a producer halfway when they want to make changes to a script. France-Luce shares news about her upcoming projects and how she’s been keeping busy during the pandemic, and shares her tips for self-care.
France-Luce Benson holds a BFA in Theatre from Florida International University and an MFA in dramatic writing from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. She was Djerassi Writer in Residence 2017, and has won several honors including: The Kilroys List Honorable Mention (Deux Femmes on the Edge de la Revolution and Boat People), NEA Grant recipient 2017, Dramatists Guild Fellow 2015-2016, Winner of the 41st annual Samuel French OOB Festival 2016, winner of the National New Play Network Award for Short Playwriting 2014, Playwright Observer Fellow at the Eugene O’Neil NPC 2016; Alfred P. Sloan New Play Commission (The Devil’s Salt); Ensemble Studio Theatre New Play Commission (Showtime Blues), Alfred P. Sloan Screenplay Award (Healing Roots); Princess Grace Award Runner Up, and Member Playwright at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.
To learn more about France-Luce, you can visit her website at www.francelucebenson.com.