Dana Benningfield

My career trajectory reflects my varied interests and long-held belief that one need not be limited to a single profession or field of pursuit. I have previously worked as an advertising account executive (Grey Advertising, New York, NY), a production negotiator (Walt Disney Pictures, Burbank, CA) a small business consultant (Barcelona, Spain and Los Angeles, CA), an actress (off-Broadway and regional theatre), a literary manager (New Jersey Repertory Company) and a non-fiction book editor and ghostwriter (multiple publishers, New York and Boston).

Today I straddle the worlds of film and theatre as a stage director and documentary story producer.

I have just completed a feature documentary - THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING - about gender politics in Hollywood. As the film’s story producer, I had the pleasure of delving into the complexities of gender discrimination in the entertainment industry to better understand the issue, identify potential interviewees and help shape story content. The film is helmed by Tom Donahue and Ilan Arboleda, the directing/producing team of the HBO Emmy-nominated documentary, Casting By and is executive produced by Geena Davis and David Yurman. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

My passion in theater lies in new play development. I’ve had the good fortune to work with many talented playwrights as both actor and director (never at the same time, I hasten to add). Reviews of my work as both actor and director have appeared in the New York Times, NJ Star-Ledger, Variety, , Talkin’ Broadway, and other local newspapers.

When not working in film or on a new play, I enjoy writing and piano composition. I've recently decided to try my hand at pairing the two in a musical about one of our national monuments.

In addition to my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin, I hold an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MFA from the University of Alabama’s esteemed Alabama Shakespeare Festival graduate program in Classical Performance.

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