Eliza Bent

Eliza Bent (born May 30, 1982) is an American playwright, performer, and journalist. Her plays have been staged off-broadway at theaters across New York City including: Abrons Art Center, A.R.T., New York Theatre Workshop (Next Door), The Bushwick Starr, and others. She is a founding member of the Brooklyn-based Half Straddle theater company and a graduate of the Brooklyn College MFA program in playwriting. Bent currently teaches in the department of Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern.

Early life and education Bent was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1982. As a child, she was interested in penguins, the post office, and airline logistics. She earned a degree in philosophy at Boston College. While studying there, she performed in shows at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, she received an MFA in playwriting at Brooklyn College.

Produced plays Bonnie's Last Flight (New York Theatre Workshop Next Door, 2019)

Aloha, Aloha, or When I Was Queen (Abrons Arts Center commission 2018)) Real Talk / Kip Talk (Abrons Arts Center commission 2016/17)) On a Clear Day I Can See to Elba (Atlantic Theater Amplified Series, 2017; New Ohio’s ICE Factory, 2016) Toilet Fire (Abrons Arts Center, 2015; JACK, 2015; The Brick, 2016) The Beyonce (Breaking String Theatre 2014; Adjusted Realists, 2018) Asleep at the Wheel (workshop production, Brooklyn College, 2015) Blue Wizard / Black Wizard (Incubator Arts Project, 2013; Other Forces, 2014) The Hotel Colors (The Bushwick Starr, 2013) Karma Kharms (or Yarns by Kharms) (Target Margin Lab at The Bushwick Starr, 2012) Pen Pals Meet (Iranian Theatre Festival at The Brick, 2011)

Residencies LMCC Workspace 2018/19 Berkeley Rep's Ground Floor 2018 SPACE on Ryder Farm 2017 / Working Farm 2016 Target Margin Institute Fellow 2016 Casa Zia Lina 2014 MacDowell Colony 2013