Dana Koops

Dana Koops was born in Los Angeles, CA. She is the daughter of teachers who were both born in Nigeria and who lived in several countries and is a Global BFA (film) student in the dual program at Emerson College and Paris College of Art. The acting bug bit Dana when she stepped onto the stage as a toddler in an Azusa Pacific University opera production of "Suor Angelica" (Puccini). She trained at Gary Spatz's - The Playground: A Young Actor's Conservatory, Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop, and the Groundlings School. Interested in other aspects of filmmaking, Dana wrote/acted in/and produced her first short film "Stuck" (2017) when she was in 9th grade. It won Best in Show at the American Youth Film Festival. "Danielle's Boat (2018), her second short film, received several awards and screened worldwide. "Driver's Ed" (2019), also a multiple award winner, was Dana's directorial debut. Dana's love of story and sense of adventure enables not only her versatility as an actress, but also as an engaging filmmaker. In her element when on set, both in front of and behind the camera, Dana speaks French and also enjoys reading, rock climbing, traveling, Krav Maga and swing dancing.