MEET THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Carlo Zenner (he/they)-Mess:
Carlo Zenner is thrilled to be making his playwright’s debut at Perceptions Theatre with his play “MESS.” Carlo graduated from DePaul University in 2020 and attended Stella Adler’s Studio of Acting in 2018. He most recently played Andrew in Pride Arts Center’s production of “Southern Baptist Sissies” and was cast in the ensemble for the Kirk Player’s “Words of Love.” As a playwright, actor, and educator, he is interested in all facets of theater and hopes to continue contributing to Chicago’s vibrant theater scene.
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Lou Johnson (he/him)-The Voice Inside My Head:
In February ’18, Louis was selected to be a Fellow at the Tennessee Playwright’s Studio in Nashville, Tn. In November ’18, his play “NEC Compuncti: (No Remorse)” had a staged reading in the Tennessee Playwright’s Studio’s Fall Festival of Plays at the Darkhorse Theatre in Nashville, Tn. In May/June ’19, he directed his one-act play, “A Bullet for Jenny King” in Act One Theatre Company’s One Act Wednesdays at the Darkhorse Theatre in Nashville, Tn.
In January ’20, his play, “Makin’ Bond” had its’ first staged reading in The Fade-to-Black Reading Series in Houston, Tx. In January ’20, his play, “Makin’ Bond” was produced in The Secret Theatre Company’s One- Act Play Festival in Long Island City, NY. In February ’20, he directed his play, “Oh, the LIES we’ve told” in Act One Theatre Company’s One-Act Play Festival at the Darkhorse Theatre in Nashville, Tn. Louis was a 2020 Finalist for the 2020-2021 Maison Baldwin Writer-in-Residence Program presented by Les Amis de la Maison Baldwin. In July ’20, “Mother/Daughter Reunion” was produced in the Virtual Cabaret presented by The Barbershop Theatre of Nashville, Tn. In October ’20, Louis was chosen to be one of The Playground Experiment’s “Voices of America” Vol. 5.
In March ’21, “Makin’ Bond” was featured in the Obsidian Theatre Festival (Virtual) produced by Ghostlight Productions of Detroit, Mi. In April/May ’21, “Makin’ Bond” was in the “1Night/6 Plays” Play Festival presented by the 5280 Artist Coop of Aurora, Co. In May/June ’21, “Frenemies” premiered in the BIPOC Playwright’s Festival (Virtual) produced by the Perceptions Theatre Co. of Chicago, Ill. In June ’21, “The Voice Inside My Head” was included in “8:46: A Fresh Perspective” a collection of monologues by Black Playwrights” published by New World Theatre Publishing. Louis’ play, “Frenemies” was featured in the New Voices New Works Play Festival produced by the Anacostia Theatre Co of Washington, D.C. in April ’22. Louis is a proud member of ESPA/Einhorn School of Performing Arts @ Primary Stages Theatre Company. (email: ldelbertj@yahoo.com)
Andrea J. Fulton (she/her)-Was It Me?:
A graduate of Northwestern University, is also a poet, songwriter, producer, investor and community leader. Her work has received six AUDELCO Award nominations and two AUDELCO Awards. She has received an Emerging Playwrights Award, Episcopal Actors Guild Thomas Barbour Playwrights Award, New York Council on Suicide I AM HOPE Award, New York Fund for Eldercare Grant and other honors. Her work has been performed in a wide range of settings from theaters, schools and churches to housing projects, parks and stoops. She is founder of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation, a non-profit arts organization supporting the performing arts aspirations of adults later in life.
Nic Bell (he/him)-Kingdom:
Originally from Atlanta, Nic Bell is a writer, actor, and photographer in Chicago. Graduating from CCPA in 2014, he has worked with many theatre companies in the city. He played The Actor in THE WOMAN IN BLACK with Wildclaw Theatre and MUCH in Robin Hood and Maid Marion with Strawdog Theatre. He’s also worked with Haven Theatre, City Lit, and Redtwist Theatre, wrote shows with Gorilla Tango Theatre, and done some voice over work for The Goodman. He also had a small role in Captain America: Civil War, and was a cast member in the webseries Life Of Harold. He’s thrilled to be debuting KINGDOM with Perceptions! You can follow him on social media @thisnic