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Fade to Black 2024 Filmmakers List

Theatre in the X was created in 2013 to provide the people of West Philadelphia and the African American community at large the opportunity to see professional quality theater in their own neighborhood for no cost. By removing the barriers of location and price the audience is able to experience theater that they possibly would not be able to access otherwise. Theatre in the X also provides opportunities to playwrights, actors, directors, stage managers, designers, sound engineers and vendors of color.

It Was All a Dream

Theatre in the X

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Noelle Diane Johnson (she/they) is an actor, intimacy director, educator, and certified DEI strategist based in Philadelphia, PA. Noelle is the founder and owner of Artists Heal®, a company that helps institutions, organizations, and universities implement Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility strategies through artistic practice and process. Noelle holds a BA in Theatre from Temple University, an MA in Theatre, and a Certificate in DEI Strategy from Villanova University. Noelle has also written and performed her solo show Stories in My Mother Tongue creating containers for healing and community engagement through holistic production and programming using the Artists Heal® Method. Intimacy Direction credits: Choir Boy, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Redwood, Ensemble Studio Theatre, A Raisin in the Sun, Bristol Riverside. IG: @noelledianejohnson | @artistsheal | @storiesinmymothertongue. You can also learn more about Noelle and her work at noelledianejohnson.com or artistsheal.org.

Thirty-Something

Noelle Diane Johnson

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Taja Copland is an aspiring writer and director from Philadelphia, PA. She started filmmaking in high school and furthered her education by attending Morgan State University, majoring in the Screenwriting and Animation program with a focus in film and television writing. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2022. Currently based in Baltimore, MD, where she applies her education in the cinematic arts to independent, major studios, and freelance films. Copeland is multidisciplinary, with the widespread knowledge and skill sets to understand what it takes to perform as a director, writer, producer, cinematographer, set designer, production assistant, and more. She currently works as an engagement coordinator within the Screenwriting and Animation program, which allows her to practice and enhance her filmmaking skills while mentoring and assisting students. By paving her way into the industry, she has worked on productions with HBO, Netflix, Apple TV, Under Armour, etc. She has also been the head writer for Philadelphia production company Ten01 Media LLC, spearheading script analysis and writing content for the company. Throughout her undergraduate years at Morgan, she established the film organization, Underground Studios, connecting filmmakers all across campus to one another to study and create films, and curating a film festival at the end of every school year. Taja continues to work towards her goals of becoming an acclaimed writer and director by constantly working on projects of her own and her peers. With a passion for creating heartfelt films centered around existentialism, she has a voice that could transcend the film community.

The Death of Us

Taja Copeland

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Quentin Letson is an Independent Film Maker from South Jersey. He started his career in this industry as an Actor in productions that included real-life, made-for-TV movies, as well as drama crime series and reality shows. In 2023, QBL ENTERPRISES, LLC was created to provide entertainment services, including but not limited to: Casting, Production, Set Design, Directing and Cinematography. The vision of QBL Enterprises is to bring ideas and dreams to life! Look for QBL ENTERPRISES, LLC as we move forward in the entertainment world.

Call Out

Quentin Letson

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"Sunflower B Rose (SHE/ZE/HE) is a documentation of space and time. A creator of experiences. A caller of spirits and community. A curator of stimulating synergies. Suni is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Expressive Art Therapy. As the founding Artistic Director of OMG! Studios, Sunflower is proud to have presented opportunities for love and education to thrive through creativity and collaborations with the zir community. Suni has produced and featured work in Fade to Black, Sheesh: Issa Blackity Black Joyfest, Home W/ The Homies, TV GUIDE, The Open House series and so much more! "

Suni B The Rapper Doc

Sunflower B Rose

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Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa NORMULIS is an LA-based Photographer and Filmmaker with a mission to tell stories and capture moments that evoke emotion, create connections and inspire change. His work often focuses on the beauty of nature, the power of culture, surrealism, and the strength of the human spirit.

GRANDPA'S PRAYER

NORMULIS

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Alex Ledgewood is a comedian living in Chicago and originally from Dallas, involved in standup, improvisation, and voice acting. His work examines racial stereotypes and American mythologies with a distorted sense of language, and has been presented and funded by Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Black Revolutionary Theater Workshop, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, National New Play Network, Play Penn, Great Plains, and the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

Alex Ledgewood at University of Iowa

Alex Ledgewood

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Kenny Wooten (he/him) is an award winning filmmaker and the founder and CEO of STBY Studio currently based in Philadelphia. Kenny received his BFA in Film from the University of the Arts in 2019. Shortly after graduating he filmed and edited the tv show Road Trip Masters which aired on the Discovery Channel. For his work on the show Wooten was awarded 3 Telly Awards for Best Travel Show, Cinematography, and Editing. In 2019 Kenny founded STBY Studio with the goal of capturing unique stories that connect with people.

City of Stars

Kenny Wooten

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Jaylene Clark Owens is a vibrant and imaginative soul hailing from Harlem, NY and currently living in the Greater Philadelphia Region. As a multi-hyphenated artist, she shines her creativity in various fields. She is an AUDELCO and Barrymore Award-winning actress, as well as a highly acclaimed poet. Jaylene's magnetic presence has graced the stage, film, and television. She is a company member at the Tony Award-Winning Wilma Theater. Currently, you can catch Jaylene in the role of Rosie, on the Emmy award-winning PBS Kids TV show, "Albie's Elevator," as well as in the recurring role of the Clerk on “Law & Order. As an influencer, she creates creative Lifestyle & Culture content encompassing Fashion & Beauty, Food & Beverage, Arts & Culture, and Travel & Experiences. For more information visit JayleneClarkOwens.com

It's What I Want to Be

Jaylene Clark Owens

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