Rane Arroyo - Biografia

Rane Arroyo is a leading poeta puertorriqueño and playwright who has also found readers and audiences outside of his ethnicity. A first generation Latino born in Chicago, he learned English as much in the world as he did at school. Arroyo received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh where he wrote his dissertation, Babel USA: A Writer of Color Rethinks the Chicago Renaissance.

He currently teaches Creative Writing as an associate professor at the University of Toledo. Previous work has included arts management, hospital billing, a variety of odd temporary assignments, and factory work. Work seems to be an important force in Arroyo's life for he has been prolific in his writings in many genres.

"The Rane Arroyo Papers" were established at El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños at Hunter College (CUNY) in 1992. He is also part of the Ohiana Library Association's Ohio Author series and the AWP Writer's Series. Arroyo has been writer in residence at Brown University and the Western Pennsylvania Writer's project. His most recent readings have been at Oberlin College, Ohio State University and various national Latino festivals. He has completed a new book of poems called Red Cities.

Awards
1999 Dean's Merit Award, Univ of Toledo
1999 Honorable Mention, Crossroads 1999, Wharf Rat Theater, "The Darkness after a Millennium of Blondes."
1999 Univ of Toledo Summer Research Fellowship for "Predicting the Past."
1998 Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Individual Artist Grant for Blood Never Rusts.
1998 Dean's Research Award, Univ of Toledo for "The Spectacle of Ponce de León."
1997 Carl Sandburg Poetry Award for The Singing Shark.
1997 Univ of Toledo Summer Research Fellowship for Red House on Fire.
1997 Pushcart Prize for poem, "Breathing Lessons," published in Ploughshares.
1997 Nominated for a Governor's Award for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council.
1996 Winner of the Stonewall Books National Chapbook Contest for "The Naked Thief".
1993 Winner of the George Houston Bass Drama Award for the play "The Amateur Virgin."
1993 Winner of the Sonora Rev/Univ of Arizona's Chapbook Contest for The Red Bed.
1992 2nd place, Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award for poem "The Carlos Poems #1."
1991 1st Prize, Hart Crane Memorial Award, Kent State Univ, for "Le Mal de Siam."
1985 Jane Chambers Playwriting Award. Other Couples: Three One-Act Plays.