Mark Woods has had the lifelong dream to raise the level of storytelling. He reversed the customary manner of pursuing such a vision: Instead of staying in New York, he came to North Carolina to build a creative home for talented artists.

And in his more than 30 years here, he has achieved that goal through his work with The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and Charlotte Repertory Theatre, the city’s resident professional theatre. Mark produced for Charlotte Rep with a particular emphasis on bringing new plays to public attention and making a permanent home for the company in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. His many achievements included the establishment of the Charlotte Festival/New Plays in America and the Actors in the Schools program.

Mark left CRT to launch New River Dramatists, his lifelong dream. In New River’s first decade, 70 of the world’s finest writers – from America and abroad, some famous and others unknown – have developed more than 300 new plays and screenplays, almost half of which have already been optioned or produced. His dream now is to channel New River’s creative process to raise the level of storytelling in fiction, poetry and song.

Randell Haynes's career as an actor and director in theatre, film, and television spans more than thirty years. Major theatrical credits include the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Primary Stages (NYC) and numerous other regional theatres.

He has acted in more than 30 film and television projects, including “Glory” with Denzel Washinton, Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman, and “The Patriot” with the late Heath Ledger and Mel Gibson.

As an integral part of New River Dramatists since its inception, he is dedicated to nourishing new playwrights and raising the standard of storytelling in theatre and film.

Debbie Fitts has enjoyed one of the most exciting, long-lasting tenures of anyone in the Charlotte theatre community. She worked with Charlotte Rep Theatre for 19 years and served in nearly every capacity of the company’s operations.

Debbie was instrumental in transitioning the theatre from its early years of producing three summer plays a season, through the mergers of Golden Circle and PlayWorks, to a year-round season.

During those years, she helped realize The Rep’s goal of becoming a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres (LORT). More than 80 shows were produced at The Rep during Debbie’s involvement, including more than 20 new works that have successfully moved on to other theatres across the country.

Her transition into commercial theatre was as Director of Operations for the nationwide hit of “Menopause: The Musical.” Debbie oversaw all aspects of the renovation of the landmark Capri Theatre and co-produced the show that sold over 26,000 tickets. She feels very fortunate to have worked with some of the best talent in the American theatre.

Bob Nulf, Story Slam's facilities manager, is a visual artist and educator who has been recognized as one of the leading decorative finish artisans in the region.  In addition to traditional woodgraining and marblizing effects, his repertoire includes distressed and Venetian plasters, shimmering metallic effects and high-end furniture and cabinet finishes, 

He is a nationally acclaimed artist with work and demonstrations featured on several PBS decorative painting  and home improvement programs:  “Paint, Paint, Paint,” “Paint, Paper and Crafts” and the award-winning “For Your Home.”  His works on canvas are included in many of the region’s private and corporate collections.

In 2008, he taught a trompe l’oeil painting class at the prestigious Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine, NC.  This was the first time that this leading crafts school had offered decorative painted finishes as a part of its curriculum.  For the past few years, he has also been a teaching assistant in the Willdacres summer en plein air landscape painting classes offered by Sarasota’s Ringling College of Arts.

Crystal Dempsey, Story Slam's town crier, owns From The Hip Communications, a boutique communications consulting company. Her clients have included Crossroads Charlotte, Amelie's French Bakery, Potion, Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique, Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro. She worked at The Charlotte Observer for more than 20 years where she was the editor of the Observer's Style section and Eye magazine.