Nafeesa Monroe
Writer Biography
Being cast in a low budget feature film with a bad script was the inspiration for Nafeesa to begin writing. Santa Monica College is where she took her first class in screenwriting, discovering a real desire to write and tell stories visually. In this class she completed her first short film "Protection," slated for independent production next year.
After deciding to write in addition to being an actor, Nafeesa returned to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, to finish her degree. Here, she studied African-American women playwrights, and completed the first draft of her one act play "Full Moon." Encouraged, Nafeesa wrote several full-length screenplays while in college, some of which are currently being revised. Also, "Full Moon" is now being workshopped in the Playwright's Lab with The Robey Theatre Company.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies, minor in Theatre, from Wesleyan University, Nafeesa returned to Los Angeles and resumed her acting career; writing took a back seat. She did, however, continue to write an occasional poem. Then, a coincidental plane ride to New York lead Nafeesa to Da' Poetry Lounge where her transformation from occasional poem writer to spoken word artist took place.(See Poetry Biography)
Nafeesa's recent success with poetry has re-ignited her desires to write for stage, television, and film. Eighteen years of acting experience lend to her natural ear for character's voices. This, mixed with her unique outlook on race and culture and a passion for story telling, makes Nafeesa a writer with something to say, and a unique way of saying it. She is definitely an upcoming talent to watch.
Free