Debra L. Atkins is a playwright, actress, producer, and a published author.   Working Together as One Productions is a Christian theater company that was founded in 1989 with the help of Atkins’ family members and close friends. Writing and producing gospel stage plays is the ministry that God has given to her to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Debra has written and produced more than 60 one-act and full length gospel stage plays, sketches, skits, poems, and short stories for a number of years.  Many of her plays have been performed in local churches, and in various theaters throughout Houston, as well as in several other cities. On March 20, 2010, she performed the hit stage play “Family Secrets”  in Beaumont, Texas at the Jefferson Theatre. After that performance, she wrote and produced two brand new plays “I’m Sorry, I’m Not Good Enough”, and “Still Not Good Enough” that she is currently touring. In February 2009, she was blessed to tour the hit gospel stage play “Everybody’s Woman” in Syracuse, New York. In addition,  in February 2008, she toured “Everybody’s Woman” in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where she made history as being the first black playwright and the first black production company to perform at the Poncan Theatre.   On July 11, 2009, Debra also made history by performing two of her most successful plays (“Everybody’s Man and Everybody’s Woman”) at the Wortham Cullen Theater all in one day!  Some of her other greatest stage plays also includes “When Love Walks Away, One Good Man, and Where Will I End Up?” Debra has always had a strong love and compassion for God’s people, especially the hurting and the lost, and she is so very grateful to God for giving her such an awesome and unique way to minister to His people.  Debra is married to Samuel Atkins, and has two daughters (Jenice and Samitra), one son-n-law (Jamil), four grandchildren (Deja, Dejon, Shianne and Malik), and one Godson (Gaston Smith, Jr.).  Debra firmly believes that when we all come together and work together, for one purpose, there are no goals we can’t reach and achieve together. Debra Atkins is also an active member at Family of Faith Fellowship Church, located in Houston, Texas where  Bishop B. Patrick Glenn is the Senior Pastor. At Family of Faith she is a part of the ministerial staff as well as assist with the drama ministry. Debra also promotes other projects that help edify the church body. Her time is often spent using the gift of  love and compassion to help encourage people that are hurting and lost.

Gregory Frazier - Board Member

Past and Present Cast Members

Here are the list of names of dedicated people who make W.T.A.O. be the best production company that it is. Sam Atkins, Cathy Comer, Karen Williams, Jenice Williams, Samitra Atkins-White, Jamil White, Marcus Freeman, Tanya Lawson, Aquatta Thomas, JaNate Tatum, Shantel Gil, Zachary Foppe', Dana Tatum, Nicholas Tatum, Charlaine Williams, Dejanique Hodges, Miki-Ala King, Clyde Wilson, Kevin Ellis, Rhonda Harris, Raveen Williams, Cherwinyeta Williams, Crystal Williams, Kenderick Williams, Roy Jones, Evangeline Gabriel Young, Carmen Crawford, Keeona Gabriel, Mel Bradford, LaShanna Leonard, Thomas Taylor, Varenda Williams, Jaimyon Parker, Mario Lartigue, Kristi Johnson, D'Andre McCoy, Robert Terry, Precious Cockrel, Jalesa Lawson, Kia Hampton, Teratia Miller, Allison Brake-Cravey, Loretta Norris, Joseph Thompson, Edward Burnett, Rashanique Williams, Elvis Thompson, Quilindra Dotson-McGee, Brandy Specks, Terri Jenkins, Phillip Dunn, Vickie Glosson, Curtis Von, London Spivey-Jones, Kenya Johnson, Rocifelle Living, Minister Henri Williams, Dwayne Adams, Reginald Johnson, Shelton Jolivette, Jessica Thompson, Jasmine Williams, Frederick Foy, Kourtney Hunt, Willie Horton, Yolonda Martin, Marvin Evans, Derek Ashford, Edward Wade, Charen Williams, Kimberly Relford, Tiffany Taylor, Raqui Thomas, Terri Howard, Angela Felix, Carla Carter, Monica Porter, JP Beasley, Miss Koi, Lamar Horn, Edward Guidry IV, Stephanie David, Felecha Williams, Stephen Davis,  Belinda Jones, Andrea Cooper, and Debra L. Atkins

All of the plays that W.T.A.O perform are written and directed by Houston's own Debra L. Atkins. Here are just a few of the plays you must see: A Part-Time Christian; Are You Really Saved?; Dreams Don't Always Come True; Easter, What's The Big Deal Anyway?; Everybody's Man; Everybody's Woman; Fat Can't Be Where It's At; Final Warning; He Deserves Better; How To Keep A Good Man; If you Pray; If You Were In My Shoes; I'm Thankful; I Want To Be A Witness; Jesus' Love, No Charge; Looking Back; No More Devil!; No Tomorrow; Not My Baby; Not Only On Christmas; Pray, and Expect A Miracle; Shadows On Our Hearts; Sisters In Christ; Something Just For You; There Is No Other Like A Mother; Times Are Hard; What Spirit Is Controlling You?; When Loves Walks Away; Where Are The Christians? Where Will I End Up? Will You Be Ready? You Can't Trust Anyone; You Never Know, and many, many more.

WHAT MOST OF OUR PLAYS DEAL WITH IS "REAL LIFE"!!

All of our plays focus on real-life issues.  People are able to see themselves through our dramatic presentations, and begin to realize that God is the answer to every problem that they may be experiencing in their lives.