Leanna Benjamin was born in Liverpool, raised in Leicester and is now a Leeds- based writer. She is a Graeae Theatre Write to Play alumni, former Artist for change/Writer in Residence at Leeds playhouse, a graduate of the BBC Writers’ Room Northern Voices and the BBC Writers Room Writers’ Access Group. Leanna is currently under commission for Leeds Playhouse’s YouthTheatre, developing her debut full length play.

Leanna is a passionate storyteller, performer, jewellery designer and a human rights activist. She won the first prize at the 2013 Ilkley Literature Festival for her hilarious monologue, Sister Joy. She wrote and performed her piece I Smile at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. She was later invited to perform ‘I smile’ the Women of the World (WOW) Festival in Bradford and at the Southbank Centre as part of the 2017 WOW London Festival.

Leanna loves to cook but HATES mushy peas.

Leanna’s writing has taken her to Africa. She was involved in the first Gambian literary festival. Whilst exploring Gambia Leanna embraced her fear and stroked a crocodile, she classes this as one of her greatest achievements.

Leanna is passionate about telling stories that are often overlooked which is evident in her short play “soul food” that was commissioned by Burn Bright theatre. In 2021 she wrote ‘The Gift’ for Graeae Theatre’s Crips Without Constraints showcase, which was performed by Sharon D Clarke and Saida Ahmed. This led to a commission for Leeds Playhouse. Leanna’s short play ‘The Unknown’ was performed as part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary. She also has two monologues published in the Hear Me Now anthology (Audition monologues volume 2).

In 2022,Leanna co-produced an introductory playwriting course for deaf, disabled, and/neurodivergent writers as part of an ambitious artist development project in conjunction with Ramps on the moon, Sheffield Theatres and Leeds Playhouse.

Leanna is also a freelance facilitator and workshop leader for various organisations including, CAST in Doncaster, Sheffield theatre’s and DANC – Project lead for TripleC and co-hosts webinars for DANC.