Monique L. Johnson
MONIQUE LISA JOHNSON is a writer, director, producer, former television and radio Host, casting director, writing coach and Founder/CEO of Monique Lisa Productions. Monique Lisa is a 27 time award-winning Playwright with 46 nominations under her belt from eleven different states, the director, and producer of the award winning stage plays “All My Struggles” and “All My Struggles – The Wedding Plan?” which had its highly anticipated debut at the World Famous Apollo Theater to SOLD-OUT audiences. To date, Monique Lisa has sold out the Apollo Theater a record five times and four times in the same year.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Monique Lisa came up at a time when Hip Hop was just getting its respect. It was at this time that she discovered her love for stories, music, and dance, which shaped her into the force she is today. As a graduate of the famous High School of Performing Arts (“Fame” the movie) for dance, this is where she caught the acting bug.
Even though Monique Lisa started writing scripts at age seven, she admits high school reinforced that love. Monique says,
I’ve been producing plays in my parents’ backyard so long that I thought that’s where all plays started out.“
– Monique L. Johnson
That love has aided her in her success with her play “All My Struggles” and with its brand. Monique Lisa also attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and Pace University, NYC, where she studied dance, film production, and directing. Her acting film credits include “Beat Street,” produced by Harry Belafonte, and “Krush Groove,” produced by Russell Simmons, two of Hip Hop’s first big movies. Also, she had a small movie part in “A Walk to Remember,” starring Jacqueline Smith (Charlie’s Angels).
Monique also co- produced, cast and co-directed the anti-bullying film “Speedsuit,” which was accepted into film festivals. “Evulsion” was Monique Lisa’s first short film, which she wrote, produced and starred in. Monique Lisa has also hosted many television shows, including “Graffiti Rock”, “Gospel Vibrations,” and “Monique Lisa Talks,” one of the first paid- programming TV-pilots picked up by Magic Johnson’s Aspire network. Monique has co-produced and co-directed the feature film “Speedsuit,” written by Allen Paul Weaver, and Associate Produced “Zodiac Sign,” with writer director Christopher Nolen II. Monique Lisa’s work is now being shown in the African American Museum in Washington, DC, and the Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, NY, and her work was part of the 50th year of Hip Hop displays worldwide.
In addition to stage and film credits, she has helped to ghostwrite write/coach over 60+ book projects. This has taught her how to develop strong characters and create powerfully engaging scenes. As she continues to inspire readers, writers, and script producers, she has added speaking to her repertoire.