Nelsan Ellis Star of new James Brown biopic visits local Marietta theater and makes a donation

ATLANTA - Sept. 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Award winning actor and star of HBO’s hit show, True Blood, Nelsan Ellis was working in town for Dragoncon this past weekend when his friend and business associate, William Nero brought him to see the musical, The Cupboard Inc. Presents: Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple located at the Strand Theater, 117 N. Park Square, in Marietta, GA 30060 and  he was so blown away by the performances he was inspired to give. Nelsan is currently starring in the James Brown biopic film, Get On Up, and also has the astute honor of landing the cover of the September issue of Ebony Magazine with cast mates from the movie.

"The arts are suffering amongst public schools, but also minority theater companies are struggling and I firmly believe in freedom of expression through the arts. When you're in a position that you can comfortably give, you need to pay it forward." said Nelsan Ellis

“Nelsan wanted to take a break from work and do something fun—was he in for quite the surprise!” says William Nero, long time friend and business associate who also said “One of the photographers & production assistants Tanya Pugh, sent me a video clip of some of the production and I knew this was something Nelsan would enjoy. I had no idea he would be inspired to give such a great gift!"

About Nelsan Ellis:  The award-winning American film and television actor and playwright Nelsan Ellis, went from ward of the state to one of Hollywood's most incredible break out stars. Perhaps best known as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s True Blood since 2008.  Ellis is recently known for his role as Bobby Byrd, the costar of the James Brown biopic film "Get on Up."  Adding to his extensive resume, he manages the music careers of the artist Caleb Minter of Atlanta, GA, & Anton Rechard of Los Angeles, CA.

Ellis was born in Harvey, IL and is a 1997 graduated from Thornridge High School in Dolton, IL. Ellis attended Juilliard and, while there, wrote a semi-autobiographical play titled Ugly that was performed at the school and later won the Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award. Ellis won a 2008 Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for best supporting actor in a television series for his role in True Blood. Ellis won the "Brink of Fame: Actor" award at the 2009 NewNowNext Awards.  He has been in a host of blockbuster movies such as Lee Daniels’ The Butler as the young Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.,  & other films such as The Help and The Soloist.

About The Cupboard Inc.:The Cupboard Inc. is a 501(c)3 not for profit, that was originally founded by Bill Mays. His original vision for The Cupboard Inc. was to fill the ever growing need to help people simply get back on their feet after disaster strikes, whether that is in the form of a natural disaster of nature or a personal trial or tragedy, death, illness, divorce or displacement.