Louis DeVaughn Nelson

Louis DeVaughn Nelson (DeVo) is a multidisciplinary artist and founder of Hokum Arts. He studied dance and playwriting at DeSales University and Drexel University and studied screenwriting at The New School. Nelson was named Best New Choreographer in 2007 by Philadelphia City Paper and has been recognized for his video work that delves into cultural and movement research. He received a top prize for “YouBahn” at the CIANT Festival of Film and New Media Art in Prague.

Domestic violence, racism, sexuality, discrimination, bigotry, misogyny and the marginalization of class and social systems are frequent topics of Nelson's film and dance theater work. His most notable pieces were included in his three-part ballet series regarding sociopolitical warfare and sensationalism in the media in America entitled "Human Error" (2007), "Man Bites Dog" (2010), and "Until Proven Guilty" (2018).

As a Contributing Writer for online publications, Art Connect and Center on the Aisle, Louis DeVaughn Nelson has devoted his time as an arts advocate writing observations and reflections on performances in order to encourage large, untapped audiences to go to arts institutions more often to enrich society at large.

Through his insightful and personalized depictions of cultural experience, Nelson not only promotes the talents of many underground artists who lack exposure in mainstream media, but makes thoughtful comments about the great divide between larger conglomerates versus independently run organizations.

Credits Include: The English Theater Berlin, TanzBad 4, Social Media Week Berlin, The Berlin Music Video Awards, Dreizig Festival, CTM – Festival for Adventurous Music and Related Arts, CIANT Festival For Film and New Media, The Co-Op Moving Beauty Series Brooklyn Arts Center, Hearts on the Wall - Dark Matter Productions NYC, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, Exquisite Corpse Company, The Village Playwrights, The Secret Theatre NYC, Dixon Place, Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Fade to Black Festival, Poetic Theatre/Musical Theatre Factory