Lorena Duarte

About Me

I was born in El Salvador, raised in Minnesota, and educated at Harvard University. I am a poet, playwright, performer, and speaker with a passion for fostering personal expression, social justice, and creative innovation.

I have been published numerous times as a poet in journals as well as in The Wandering Song: Central American Writing in the United States (Tia Chucha Press, 2017), Theatre Under My Skin: Contemporary Salvadoran Poetry (Kalina Press, 2014), and Telling Tongues: A Latin@ Anthology on Language Experience (Calaca Press & Red Salmon Press, 2007.)

I have won two consecutive Many Voices Fellowships for emerging playwrights through the Playwright’s Center (2008-2009, 2009-2010,) I was a finalist for the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize (2010,) was the MN Slam! Champion and member of MN Slam! Team at the National Poetry Slam (2007,) and have won numerous other fellowships and grants such as the Cultural Community Partnership Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board (2006).

I was on the board of The Loft Literary Center for six years and graduated from Harvard University (1998) with a degree in Hispanic Studies/Romance Languages and Literature.