Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Burkey.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a film and television actor for almost 10 years. I absolutely can’t imagine doing anything else, nor would I want to. However, since I moved to Atlanta, I have felt this deep desire to do something more with my art. Something meaningful. I racked my brain for three years trying to figure out what that desire was and what form it would take. Finally, in 2016, after I did my first stage play in 10 years, I knew what it was going to be.
I came up with the idea for “Act For A Change” – a theatre non-profit that gathers Atlanta actors, writers and directors to perform one-act plays for local charities. We have performed three sold-out shows in the past year and are gearing up for our fourth. As a result of those shows, we have raised thousands of dollars for the local charities Beloved, New American Pathways and Safehouse Outreach.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a non-profit from scratch is never an easy undertaking. Fortunately, I was quickly surrounded by three wildly talented creatives who now make up the Act For A Change team – Jessica Doehling, Lisa Douglas and April Billingsley. Without this team, this idea would not have seen the light of day. Personally, I love starting new things so I was excited, to begin with, nothing and figure out how to build a website, raise money, wrangle volunteers, structure a one-act show and so on.
So yes, getting Act For A Change off the ground has had its challenges but it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve been a part of.
Act For A Change – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a theatre non-profit called “Act For A Change”. We gather local actors, writers and directors to perform original one-act plays for local charities. We partner with a different charity every show so we make sure that we are benefitting a wide variety of causes throughout this great city of Atlanta.
As an artist, it’s difficult to commit months of your year to do a full show at a theater without pay. Through Act For A Change, these local artists are given an opportunity to display their talents for our vast community (which include film industry professionals).
Simultaneously, we get to shine the spotlight on an Atlanta charity who get to benefit from our shows with no commitment on their end.
That is ultimately what we’re most proud of – giving artists and charities a spotlight they deserve.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I always enjoy seeing how many people show up to our shows to support their friends but also to support the arts for a cause. To look out on an audience full of people who are visibly being affected by these performances is just such a satisfying experience. I wish, we could do a show every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.actforachange.org
- Email: info@actforachange.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actforachange
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActforaChange
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