Maya Washington is a filmmaker, actress, playwright, poet, and arts educator making a difference in the world. She received a BA in Theatre from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. Her work has garnered awards from Jerome Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Film and Television, and others. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Maya began her creative career as a dancer turned musical theatre actor in the Twin Cities vibrant theatre community as a child performer. While at USC, she studied acting, directing, film and dramatic writing, which allowed her to explore her passion for storytelling in a variety of mediums. While pursuing her MFA, Maya worked full time as a professional actor and choreographer. She even managed to complete a national tour of William S. Yellow Robe’s Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers, a co-production of Penumbra Theatre Company and Trinity Repertory Company, as she finished her MFA thesis in Poetry.