Today we’d like to introduce you to David Rucker III.
Hi David, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Beginning as a young child I’ve always had an interest in both writing and acting, but it wasn’t until about 12 years ago when I moved back to the Atlanta area when my wife encouraged me to pursue these career paths on a full-time basis. Atlanta’s film industry was exploding, and like I began doing background work on films, which at the time was exciting and I gained valuable set experience. I should say at this point that my career has been guided and I’ve been very fortunate to meet many colleagues along the way who’ve given me opportunities to showcase my talent and therefore be in some of the great productions I’ve been a part of. This includes my agent, TONYA HENSLEY, to whom I was introduced to early, who decided to take a chance on a newcomer. She even included me in some early work, such as “SUSTAINED”, directed by JAMALL RASHAUD MACMILLAN and others. Later she came to me and basically told me to quit background work and pursue more film and theatrical acting, focusing on speaking roles. I’ve found now that continuing to move forward, embracing greater challenges is one of the keys to not getting stagnant.
Eventually speaking roles would come, including a recurring role on BET’s “THE QUAD”, the TV One film “DOWNSIZED”, with BORIS KUDJOE, the camp horror film “THE GOOD THINGS DEVILS DO”, and most recently, “HERE COMES THE SUN”, starring Ms. TERRI J. VAUGHN. I’ve been fortunate to also work within the theatrical community in theatres throughout Atlanta, including 7 STAGES, PORTER SANFORD, MARIETTA’S THEATRE IN THE SQUARE, ALLIANCE THEATRE, and currently THE ATLANTA SHAKESPEARE PLAYHOUSE, where I’m in my third production, “THE TEMPEST”. I’d also be remiss without mentioning my friend and colleague JAVON JOHNSON, star of Tyler Perry’s “THE OVAL”, whose stage productions, “WHEN LOVE CALLS”, and “SANCTIFIED” gave a tremendous lift to my acting career.
As for writing, this has been my passion, even longer than acting, and I’ve been fortunate to write several stage plays, including “SOMEDAY NEVER COMES”, “OUT OF MANY WATERS”, for the ministry DANCING ON THE PROMISE: along with my screenplay, “THE SIN & THE WEIGHT”, A 2016 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL semi-finalist. I’m also completing work on my latest screenplay, “LAIKA”, and a non-fiction spiritual book, “STIGMA”, which will address social constructs that we’ve allowed to lower and sometimes eliminate our self-worth. This has led to my forming a writer’s coaching class, called “THE WRITERS’ ROOM”, an instruction and encouragement class beginning in January of 2023, which will focus on spiritual encouragement thru the Christian faith.
With all that being said, what brings me some of the best joy as I navigate my career is the chance to encourage others both inside and outside of the business. For almost seven years I had the good fortune to lead “ATLANTA THEATRE-TO-GO”, a traveling theatrical production company that performed for seniors throughout Atlanta, who otherwise wouldn’t have had access to the theatre. This led to my current function as Drama Leader for “THE KING’S BRIDGE CHRACTERS”, a theatre group at the King’s Bridge Retirement Community, who perform readers theatre, for the residents. They continue to impress everyone and are preparing to perform in our 2nd show of the year. On the flip side I’ve also had the good fortune to work with TRUE COLORS THEATRE COMPANY, with its “AUGUST WILSON MONOLOGUE COMPETITION”, and now their “NEXT NARRATIVE” monologue contests. This contest gives high school students the chance to hone their acting skills while being exposed to new Atlanta writers.
My hope is to continue doing good work and growing as an artist and expanding my reach; not measuring my success to anyone but the path being laid out for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been exactly smooth; however, it hasn’t been as rough as it could be. Again, I’ve been very fortunate to come in contact with great people who’ve steered me in the right direction, and I believe by leaving some things behind I was able to take advantage of greater opportunities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My agent once gave me an award for being the “most versatile”, which as an actor I was very proud of. I’ve played pimps and pastors, murderers and cops, from this century to those past. I’m very proud to be able to work in different genres as well, as film, TV and the stage! I believe one of the things that set me apart is that I don’t define myself by one thing. I learn what I can in each medium and use it, never looking down on the other. I’ve seen so many artists who primarily work in theatre look down on film actors, as film actors that look down on the stage. That’s really dumb to me. I see what makes great artists great, no matter where they work. As for writing, as well as teaching I have found my voice, and I stay flexible when teaching others. My classes are tailored to where the person is not where I think they should be.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
More artists will emerge because it’s easier for them to do so. The artistic world is open to learning from everywhere. It’s no longer exclusive to one race, color, creed or sexual orientation. We need ALL the stories and thankfully people will have them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dopempowerment.org/
- Instagram: instagram.com/davidruckerpart3
- Facebook: Facebook.com/davidruckerpart3
- Twitter: Twitter.com/druckerpart3
- Other: www.imdb.com/DavidRuckerIII
