Brenda Banda

Los Angeles native actor, director, playwright and acting coach Brenda Banda grew up in South Los Angeles. She was only eleven years old when she first stepped onto a stage at Russell Elementary where she performed as MC at their 6th grade culmination. Growing up where drive-by shootings were routine, Banda took refuge in the arts and sports making them her safe heaven. A memorable 2nd grade field trip where she saw a production of Peter Pan set stars in young Brenda's eyes. It was at that moment she day dreamed she was going to be a singer and actor someday. While a student at San Fernando High School, she co-founded the women's soccer team. She also directed, produced and acted in her first theatre production, a Spanish play that she had read in Spanish Lit. class. Banda suggested her teacher to produce it and when he said "Do it and I'll support you" she was forever transformed. In 2010, Banda co-founded a theatre company called the Urban Theatre Movement. At 18 years old she join