A Benefit for Talespinner Children's Theatre

Carrie Williams, this year’s Zanni Award Winner, is an actor, director, visual artist, and occasional playwright who loves coming home to Talespinner! She’s been involved in all kinds of ways since the very first season – from teaching, directing, and puppet-making, to coordinating the benefits and volunteers. She has been the lead scenic artist since 2015, painting the giant wall murals that set the scene for each production. As an actor she appeared in The Emperor’s Ears (Zora), Aesop’s Pirate Adventure (Captain Bluebeard), Ivan and the Firebird (Firebird), Mr. Scrooge’s Ghosts (Christmas Past), Tovic Tomte and the Trolls (Tarfa) and some of the touring productions. She directed Momotaro the Peach Boy for PLAYground 2018, and in the future will direct Aponibolinayan in the Sky. For the past decade Carrie has been a teaching artist all over Northeast Ohio. Her artistic pedagogy focuses on exploring collaborative processes, fostering creativity, and empowering youth to step outside their comfort zone. She is proud to serve as the Education Manager for Dobama Theatre, where she coordinates the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival, the longest-running celebration of young playwrights in the United States.

Merold’s praise for Williams is many fold, including: “The amount of hats this incredible and giving artist has worn for TCT are numerous, important, and colorful! If you aren't being impacted by her hilarious and detailed performances, you are being drawn in by her gorgeous set painting or filled with joy in the classroom. Carrie's support and dedication to our little theater has helped make us who we are today.”