Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra L. Atkins, Playwright, Author, Producer and Actress.

Debra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.

DEBRA L. ATKINS is a minister, playwright, actress, producer, and a published author, and she is also the founder of Working Together As One Productions, Inc.

I first started writing and producing skits for the youth department at the church (Mt. Calvary MBC) that I was attending at the time, and in July 1989, I stepped out on faith, along with the help from my family members and some close friends and produced my very first stage production outside of the church at the Fifth Ward Multi-purpose Center. Which at that time consisted of us performing several different skits.

Since then, I have written and produced hundreds of poems, short stories, original skits, sketches, one-act plays, and full-length productions. Over the years we have performed the plays at different churches, venues, schools, colleges, and theaters throughout the Houston, Texas area and in some of the surrounding cities, and in several towns, that have led us all the way to Syracuse, New York and to Ponca City, Oklahoma.

In addition to writing, directing and producing, my stage productions have created theater and acting opportunities for many children, young adults, and adults over the years, and in many cases, we have helped launched many of their acting careers by introducing them to the stage.

Even though it has been thirty-three years, it seems just like yesterday when I took the first leap of faith and wrote and produce my first stage plays outside of the church. I often tell people that I did choose to do this, after all I never even went to school for it, but yet God chose me to write, direct and produce inspirational stage plays, and now it has become my ministry and my passion.

Of course, I had other plans for my life, but since God ordains the path that He wants for our lives, He just expects us to trust and obey Him. One of the reasons I believe God chose me for this type of ministry is because He already knew I wouldn’t have a problem obeying him, and because of the heart that He has given me towards helping those that are hurting in their everyday relationships.

All I ever wanted was to write and produce stage plays that have positive messages, where people could come and get entertained, encouraged and be inspired to fulfill the journey that God had placed them on, and I believe that I have accomplished that very thing.

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?

It has absolutely not been easy but seeing the outcome of all of our hard work and all of the many sacrifices we have made come to past has been very rewarding. Over these last thirty-three years, we have truly had our fair share of challenges. From dealing with many different personalities to the lack of funding to produce the stage plays. I think one of the biggest challenges over the years is not having the right team of people in positions to work in the different roles that are required in theater that mainly my husband and I, and other family members have had to perform ourselves over the years.

We have had to wear many hats for many years, from being the writer, director, producer, stage manager, the promoter, a set designer, all the way to renting U-Haul trucks to transport the props, and the furniture. We are truly looking forward to the day when other people can take on all of those roles. Because over the years we have had to invest and sacrifice way too much of our own personal time, and money, that we have never gotten back in return, but remember we never did this for the money.

Although we didn’t get into producing the stage plays because we could make a whole lot of money, but one thing I can tell you for sure, God has never failed us in all of the thirty-three years, and the true benefits of knowing that we are really making a difference, is way more rewarding than what we could ever imagine.

Please tell us about Working Together As One Productions, Inc.

Working Together as One Productions, is a non-profit 501(c) (3) inspirational touring theater company that changes lives through dramatic presentations, and we are also considered to be a ministry that has helped to empower, inspire, encourage, and entertain people. All of the plays we produce are all original inspirational stage plays that are all based on fictional real-life characters, with real-life issues that affect our society morally and socially.  The plays always encourage and inspire the audiences with positive messages that help promote life-changing behavior for the betterment of society.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?

You have to be able to captivate the audience with a good story that also has a great plot, and a good story that they can somehow relate to. I’ve always been told that I was a good writer and a good storyteller. Because of the unique ability to write about real life situations that people can relate to no matter what their race or religion is, and because when people can see their own personal stories and struggles on stage, it helps them to know that they are not alone, and that there is someone out there who can relate to their struggles and their situations, and it also encourages them to want to do better in their own personal lives.

Success is not always based on how much money you make, but how your efforts can help impact someone to want to do better, and in return inspire them to want to encourage someone else.