Diane Benedict

Diane Benedict, Professor and Assoc. Chair of Theatre Arts, M.F.A. in Performance. Professor Benedict spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in the Russian Federation at the Moscow Art Theatre. She completed her undergraduate studies in Vocal Music and Journalism at the University of Southern California, her graduate studies at Drama Studio London where she was awarded the John Gielgud acting award. She received her MFA at U.C.L.A., where she was awarded the Richard Burton Acting, Jack Nicholson Acting, Hugh O'Brian, and Robert Reed Shakespeare awards. Professor Benedict completed her post-graduate work at the Moscow Art Theatre in Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Grotowski techniques. She conducted research on contemporary Brechtian Epic Theatre techniques at the Berliner Ensemble in Germany and at the Netherlands Theatre Institute in Amsterdam. Professor Benedict has taught at LMU’s study abroad programs in Bonn, Moscow, Dublin, Paris, and Greece. Diane is a 43-year member of Actor's Equity, SAG/AFTRA. Some local professional directing credits include Uncle Vanya, The Heiress, Beast on the Moon, Becoming Eleanor, and Rabbit Hole, at the Long Beach Playhouse. Internationally, at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival with the World Premiere of The Smoking Boy, which enjoyed critical acclaim with The Scotsman. Some other international directing credits include Virago Alala!, On Borrowed Time, Mother Road, Strider and What is to be Done?at Brot Fabrik Theatre and Theatre im Ballsaal in Bonn, Germany, and Conference of the Birds at the Schauspielhaus, Bonn, which also toured at the Moscow Art Theatre, and the Theatre Museum in Dusseldorf. Some LMU directing credits include Intimate Apparel, Three Sisters, RENT, American Buffalo, Kiss Me Kate, Cry Havoc, Seagull, Macbeth, Threepenny Opera, The Cherry Orchard, House of Bernarda Alba, Odd Couple and Portia Coughlan. Professor Benedict received a BACKSTAGE WEST award for her performance in Burkie, directed by Shashin Desai at International City Theatre, and appeared in the title role of the Los Angeles Times Critic's Pick production of Mrs. Warren's Profession at the Long Beach Playhouse. National tours include the New York Shakespeare Festival's The Pirates of Penzance and she has appeared locally at the Ahmanson, Geffen/Moca, Gene Dynarski, Coronet and International City theaters in such roles as Anna in The King and I, Olya in The Three Sisters, Jean in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Marion in The Music Man.