Originally from Greensboro, he's been living in Chapel Hill for about three years. Alphonse is an artist who studied theater and has appeared in plenty of of community and regional stages: "Google me. Alphonse Nicholson. Spelled Nicholson like the actor [Jack]." In May, he closed the show in the role of Segismundo in Deep Dish Theatre's "Life is a Dream." Earlier this year, he transformed into Joseph Asagio in the Playmakers Repertory Company's rendition of "A Raisin in the Sun." He says he is "most excited" to head to New York City later this month for another performance in which he was commissioned to compose a show. "I live and die for this stuff...to be an artist. I believe in doing what I like to do."

When he is not acting, Alphonse is often out on Franklin Street playing an array of overturned buckets. But sometimes, he says, he's mistaken for the homeless. "I think they have a hard time figuring it out. Eventually people realize I'm not. They realize I'm out here to entertain and bring some life to the city. North Carolina is home...This area deserves good artists."

(photographed on the corner of Franklin/Columbia Streets)